Students at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) are gaining more than just technical skills, they’re learning how to navigate the job market before graduation.

All students in the College of Business, College of Arts, and College of Information Technology are required to take two career-focused classes as part of their programs.

“Our College of Business, College of Arts, and College of I.T. students, all three of those in that cluster areas are required to take two career classes,” said Pam Cottrell, HR Leadership and Development Instructor at NWTC Green Bay. “In those classes, they get prepared and ready for the job market. I’m very passionate about these courses as I instruct many of them.”

The classes provide students with critical professional skills, including résumé building, interview preparation, and career planning. Students receive hands-on experience through mock interviews and professional feedback designed to help them understand their strengths and areas for improvement.

“[The classes] provide us with the professional feedback we need to know we are on the right track to success,” said Hailey Patton, a student graduating this spring from NWTC Sturgeon Bay. “They prepare us with mock interviews, not only with instructors, but with actual local businesses outside of the campus and in our own community.”

Cottrell emphasized that engaging with real-world employers gives students a head start in understanding workplace expectations. “The mix of classroom and community interaction allows them (students) to leave NWTC not only with a degree but with the confidence and practical skills to become successful in their chosen career” she added.

By integrating career readiness into multiple academic programs, NWTC ensures its graduates are not only technically proficient but also prepared to step into the workforce with confidence.