GREAT FALLS— A collaboration between Great Falls College MSU (GFC MSU), The Great Falls Public School’s Career & College Readiness Center (CCRC) and the Montana Department of Labor & Industry (DLI) has resulted in a new program being offered, Connections 101. This program is designed to help adult learners develop a purpose, plan and path by engaging in career exploration, enrolling in college or gaining access to apprenticeship programs or job placement opportunities.
Connections 101 offers a holistic approach to help students better succeed in college or workforce settings by providing a framework to develop and build academic knowledge, technical expertise, and self-management abilities. It is ideal for students needing to build their skills or for those individuals not sure what they want to do.
“What’s great about this new program is that students will have the opportunity to learn about themselves and what they are good at before spending money on a degree that may not be a good fit for them,” said Tammie Hickey, Program Coordinator of the Great Falls Career & College Readiness Center. “Individuals will engage in learning opportunities that will help them build an academic and employability foundation while also assisting them with navigating transitions into college or into the workforce.”
The program is a 14-week commitment that requires consistent attendance, assignment completion, exam benchmarks, and portfolio completion. Students will select their career field in the first six weeks using MCIS, Myer-Briggs®, and other career counseling tools. In week seven, during the Industry Connection class, students will engage in either an introductory college course or a work based learning opportunity. Other class components include college prep writing and math, intro to computers, work ethics, growth mindset for college and career success, OSHA certification, and employment regulation basics. Students will have the opportunity to have their skills evaluated for credit through the College’s Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) process.
Connections 101 truly offers a comprehensive support system from GFC MSU, CCRC, and Montana DLI to minimize student’s accumulating debt, risking financial aid or academic probation, and instead provides them with the knowledge, skills and guidance needed for success in their college or career goals.
The time commitment for students in the program will be Monday through Thursday from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. The program started Sept. 16 and will run again beginning in January. For more information, contact the CCRC at 406-771-5108.
For media requests or more information, please contact:
Katherine M. Meier
Director of Disability Services & Native American Enrichment Center
Phone: 406-771-4311
[email protected]
Tammie Hickey
Program Coordinator – Career & College Readiness Center
Phone: 406-771-5104
[email protected]
