There are numerous College Fairs in the area, but there is very little information available for students regarding other promising career opportunities that can be obtained with less than 4 years of college.  A bachelor’s degree is often difficult for low income youth and young adults to obtain when they must work to support their families and themselves while attending school.  Some shorter term options can be very helpful in terms of establishing a career in a field that requires professional certification or an associate’s degree, or can be used as a starting point to raise earnings while continuing on to pursue more advanced levels of education.

New Futures held it’s 2nd annual career fair to provide information about these many career opportunities and the schools in the area which offer them.  Representatives were on site from:

• Montgomery College
• Community College of the District of Columbia
• Prince Georges Community College
• Northern Virginia Community College
• ACT College (Allied Health)
• ASM Education Center (Computer Certifications)
• Excel Institute (Automotive Technology)
• L’Acdemie de Cuisine (Culinary and Pastry Arts)
• National Massage Therapy Institute
• Paralegal Institute of Washington

In addition, students were provided with an extensive Career Guide, with information about many great career opportunities, their characteristics, job prospects, opportunities for advancement, and local schools and programs which provide the associated educational programs.  This career guide will be available online on this site in the near future.

One hundred and fifty students from our 13 partner organizations attended the fair.  Feedback has been very positive; students enjoyed speaking with school representatives and were very excited to learn about the many different types of career opportunities that are available.

Students learn about the many certificate and associate degree programs available at Montgomery College.

Students learn about various computer certification programs from the ASM Education Center.

Students learn about careers in Culinary and Pastry Arts from L’Academie de Cuisine.