by Hannah Tripodi, Contributor

For many parents considering going back to school, the little things are what hold them back. The Career Pathways Initiative is here to change that. 

Career Pathways is a program that helps college students with children under the age of 21 succeed with their degree or certificate and ultimately secure a career. 

These potential tools for success vary based on each student’s specific needs but include money for tuition and supplies, gas cards for transportation to and from classes, financial assistance for childcare costs, and more. 

Career Pathways supports its students by offering a variety of assistance opportunities and partnering with other agencies to provide resources students might need to succeed in their educational and career efforts. 

Career Pathways exists at all two-year colleges in the state of Arkansas and has been at NorthWest Arkansas Community College since 2007. Located in room 1218 in Burns Hall, the Career Pathways office is a welcoming and informative hub for its students. 

“This is like the home base,” says Christie Brinsfield, director of Career Pathways at NWACC of the program’s office. The room is filled with children’s toys, school supplies, pamphlets, and computers. It looks like exactly what it is: a place for parents to find support in their educational journeys. 

Students in the Career Pathways program are welcome to computer use and free printing in their office, as well as a wealth of resources and information offered by any of its three staff members. 

Once a month, each student in the program meets with their case manager who provides guidance on their educational and career trajectory and offers recommendations and resources that might be available.

In addition to resume building and career planning, Career Pathways makes sure its students apply for and receive every certificate they are eligible for. They also work with other programs and departments to provide services to students. 

Funded by the Department of Workforce Services, the priority of the Career Pathways Initiative is to place students into the workforce and in a better position to support their families. 

“The overall goal of our program is employment of the student after they get the degree or certificate they’re going for,” Brinsfield says.

To meet the requirements for the Career Pathways Initiative, a student must be the parent of a child under the age of 21 and a resident of Arkansas. 

“We currently have around 70 students, and we are looking to add more,” Brinsfield says. 

To learn more about the Career Pathways Initiative, Brinsfield recommends students visit the Career Pathways page on the NWACC website, where they will also find a link to the pre-application. Students are also encouraged to visit the Career Pathways office to apply in person.