Virginia Community Colleges Career Coaches are community college employees who are based in local high schools to help high school students define their career aspirations and to recognize community college and other postsecondary programs, including apprenticeships and workforce training, that can help students achieve their educational and financial goals.
The fundamental purpose of the VCCS Career Coaches Program is to empower students to make informed decisions about their career and educational plans and to prepare students for success in postsecondary education and training. While the day-to-day functions of a career coach vary according to local needs, major responsibilities include:
- Facilitating the development of individual career plans and portfolios.
- Relating information on careers, career pathways, and related employment.
- Connecting students to early college programs such as Tech Prep and Dual-enrollment.
- Easing the transition of students from high school to postsecondary education and the skilled workforce.
During the 2008-2009 school year, career coaches served in 154 high schools across Virginia, providing one-on-one or small group coaching to over 57,000 students. As a result of working with a career coach, over 28,000 students developed written academic and career plans. Detailed outcomes can be found in the 2008-09 Career Coach Annual Report. Some of the impacts of the program in 2008-09 include: