NORTH ADAMS, MA—As part of the Berkshire Compact for Education, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, MassHire and other community partners will help showcase careers in the Berkshires the week of April 26-30 through Berkshire Virtual Career Week. The event aims to engage high school students, mainly in grades 10-12, in career awareness and exploration through a blend of live Zoom sessions with local professionals and scheduled broadcasts on Pittsfield Community Television.
Career Week programming is also open to Berkshire residents of all ages who are interested in learning more about the current labor market landscape in the Berkshires. Via PCTV, portions of the live sessions will be broadcast, and career-related content will air when there is not a live Zoom meeting. All videos will be available after the week-long event in PCTV’s online educational library. A full schedule with all programming will be available prior to April 26 at www.masshireberkshire.com.
The MassHire Berkshire Career Center will also host a Virtual Job Fair from noon-4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 27. This event is for those ages 14-21 seeking jobs in the Berkshires. To register for the job fair, visit www.MasshireBerkshireCC.com and visit “Calendar of Events.”
Career Week will also feature daily, live Zoom sessions focused on different careers in the Berkshires including a STEM session organized by MCLA and the Berkshire STEM Network, plus sessions on Health Care and Human Services, Hospitality and Tourism, Communications, Building Trades, and Advanced Manufacturing.
“It's great to see these opportunities for students to learn more about what they want to pursue in their future,” Berkshire Workforce Board high school intern Nick Lopenzina said, “Workshops like this really give kids a chance to start finding their direction.”
“MCLA is proud to partner on this program with MassHire,” said MCLA Director of Corporate and Strategic Partnerships Dr. Joshua Mendel. “Through MCLA representation on the Berkshire Compact’s Aspiration Committee and the Berkshire STEM Network, the College is able to contribute to these kinds of opportunities for students throughout the Berkshires, another part of our mission of public education, and another aspect of the work we do toward maintaining a thriving economy in Berkshire County.”
Head to PittsfieldTV.org to connect via cable, digitally or on demand to all programming.
High school students (specifically grades 10-12) interested in registering for the
live Zoom sessions should connect with their school guidance counselor and inquire
about this event.
Heather Shogry-Williams, Youth Director at Masshire Berkshire Workforce Board
Youthdirector@masshireberkshire.com
Dr. Joshua Mendel, Director of Corporate Engagement at MCLA
j.mendel@mcla.edu
