Delaware County Community College is continuing to offer adults a better career path through its New Choices Career Development program.
Established in 1983, New Choices is a career exploration and job re-entry program that provides individual and group support, career planning workshops, employer contacts, networking opportunities, résumé writing assistance, interviewing techniques and basic computer skills.
The program is designed to help single parents, displaced homemakers and individuals in transition achieve economic security and self-sufficiency.
Some of the services in the program include vocational assessment, development of an individualized career plan and job placement assistance. There are currently 25 new clients enrolled in the program.
“Our goal of the program has always been to empower individuals in transition so they can participate fully in planning and achieving their career, educational and personal goals by improving self-esteem, and building self-confidence,” said Joan Kelly, counselor of the New Choices Career Development program.
The program’s staff engages employers from large corporations, small businesses and local non-profit organizations to participate in classroom presentations, conduct mock interviews with students, share information about particular industries, provide networking opportunities and offer information about job openings. Many program graduates find jobs with employers who participate in the program.
“When you’re a single parent it’s sometimes hard to not only find time for yourself between work and caring for your child, but it’s also extremely hard to incorporate school into that equation as well,” said Monique Baxter, a former client of the New Choices Career Development program. “For me, it was an easy decision to participate in a program like this because the counselors provide you with the tools to further your career. They help you not only obtain your dreams, but to also provide a better future for your children.
“It was a struggle for me at first, but I don’t regret going to the program at all,” she said. “Because of this program I not only have a better job in a field that I love; I also have the confidence to compete with some of the best in the industry.”
Qualified individuals may receive transportation or child care assistance when funding is available. Scholarships may also be available to New Choices graduates. Classes for the program are offered three times per year including January, March and October.
All of the classes are held at the Marple Campus in Media (901 South Media Line Road), the Southeast Center in Sharon Hill (2000 Elmwood Ave., Curtis Building) and the Exton Center (906 and 912 Springdale Drive, Whiteland Business Park). Evening classes are also available at the Marple Campus.
For more information on the New Choices Career Development program call (610) 359-5232.
