�Ӱ�ԭ��

October 31, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 31, 2017

University of �Ӱ�ԭ�� launches online job search and career development program

FAIRBANKS—Today, the University of �Ӱ�ԭ�� launched Career Coach, a web-based tool to help �Ӱ�ԭ��ns explore career and higher education opportunities. Developed in cooperation with Emsi, users will be able to easily browse current �Ӱ�ԭ�� job postings, learn about workforce training and educational opportunities and access current �Ӱ�ԭ�� labor market and wage data using simple online tools.

Career Coach, accessible at , is designed to be used by individuals at varying career stages, from high school students to adults looking to begin a new career. For example, transitioning military service members can use their military occupation code to match their current job with private sector positions. Users can design a job search based on wages, their current education level, find out what education or training is necessary for various career fields, or take an online assessment to explore careers based on their personality and strengths.

“There isn’t a faster or more comprehensive way in �Ӱ�ԭ�� to search for jobs and easily find out what training is necessary for high-demand careers,” said Fred Villa, associate vice president of workforce programs.

In addition to the personalized career tools, Career Coach uses web-scraping technology to pull current �Ӱ�ԭ�� and national labor market data from over 100 sources, including the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Department of Education National Center for Education Statistics, allowing students to size up the potential job market based on a given degree program.

The university plans to train campus career services �Ӱ�ԭ��s to assist students with Career Coach and collaborate with the �Ӱ�ԭ�� Department of Labor & Workforce Development, K-12 school districts, libraries, and other organizations to promote it throughout the state.

“I see this service as a tremendous value to university and K-12 students,” said Colby Freel, chair of the UA Coalition of Student Leaders. “It’s critical for students to be able to see how they’ll fit into the job market after graduation, and I’m glad to see this program become available at UA.”

–30–

For more information, contact Fred Villa, associate vice president of workforce programs, via phone at 907-450-8008, cell 907-385-2561, or email fvilla@alaska.edu.