Spotlight: Building Career Pathways at the Community Learning Center

For Valerie, teaching at the Community Learning Center (CLC) feels like coming home. Born and raised in Cambridge, she attended the city’s public schools and had family who taught at Cambridge schools. “I vaguely remember when the CLC first started,” she recalls. “It’s amazing to now be part of it all these years later.”

Valerie, Training Programs Coordinator at the CLC

After spending several years in San Francisco working in high tech, Valerie’s career took a turn when she became more involved in her children’s schooling experiences. She became deeply interested in learning about inclusive education and managing programs that support diverse learners, work that eventually led her back to Cambridge and, ultimately, to the CLC.

Her tech background and educational expertise proved especially valuable when the pandemic hit. She was among those who helped get students and teachers up and running on Zoom, ensuring learning continued even through extraordinary challenges. As she continued to support adult learners, she became particularly interested in supporting students in navigating their career paths – in particular, students who were interested in specialized career training programs.

That’s where the CLC’s Career Connections Program comes in. The program was created to help adult learners strengthen their skills in English, math, digital literacy, and professional communication, so they can confidently enter training or college programs. She saw a group of people who were motivated and needed just a “little boost” to get where they wanted to go.

The program combines classroom learning with one-on-one coaching, workplace role plays, and exploration of different training opportunities. Valerie also supports other skills necessary for success – professional communications, workforce norms, professional writing, and verbal communications in the office. Valerie describes it as helping students find the intersection between what they’re good at, what they enjoy, and where the jobs are—a kind of real-world Venn diagram that guides career discovery. 

The first Career Connections cohort included about 15 students, and their paths have been as varied as their goals. Some went on to IT and help desk training through Just-A-Start and Per Scholas. Others pursued accounting courses at Quinsigamond Community College, and HVAC and administrative training through local partners. There were also students who transitioned to preparing for post-secondary programs after working with Valerie to understand the options and pathways available.

Now recruiting for its second cohort, Career Connections is continuing to evolve based on what Valerie and her colleagues have learned. “We know the need is real,” she says, and is excited to continue sharing information and finding those who would most benefit. The program is always evolving as they learn what works best with students, and Valerie enjoys the opportunity to continue to refine and personalize it to better serve participants.

For Valerie, it’s all deeply personal. “When I was growing up, Cambridge wasn’t as rich in opportunities as it is now,” she reflects. “Now getting to give back, it feels like coming full circle.”

Applications are now open for the next Career Connections cohort. Learn more and sign up for an information session here: https://www.cambridgema.gov/Services/CLC-Career-Connections