Boy Scout leader finds a home at TCC

Zach Grinvalsky just completed his first year at Tidewater Community College and is confident he made the right choice by attending community college. Zach chose TCC because of the flexibility it gave him to work and help support his family while receiving a college education. When starting college last year, he was unsure of what to expect but has since found a supportive community that is always there to help him achieve his dreams.

Zach is on track to earn an Associate of Science in Business Administration with the goal of pursuing a career as a corporate lawyer. He originally started at TCC undecided about what to study, but TCC’s Career Services Center helped him discover his passion for law. He says, they were very helpful in leading me on the right track and getting me connected.”

Outside of classes, Zach is the national chief of Boy Scouts of America’s Order of the Arrow, the scouts’ leadership and mentorship program. He credits TCC with preparing him for this role by teaching him effective time management and organizational skills.

He says “I took what I had learned about staying organized at school and pivoted that into my position at Order of the Arrow.” When he is not attending classes, working or fulfilling Order of the Arrow responsibilities, Zach loves to spend time outside. He and his friends go to the beach, go hiking and walk his dog, Kit.

Zach believes community college is an excellent choice for many students as it offers a lot of flexibility. He says, “TCC specifically has a lot of great programs if you want to pursue different career paths. It is something special that you should take advantage of.” He encourages students to utilize the beautiful campuses and many resources that TCC has to offer.

Find a great job at TCC’s college-wide Career Fair, Feb. 28

More than 50 area employers will be represented at Tidewater Community College’s Career Fair on Feb. 28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the student center on TCC’s Chesapeake Campus, located at 1428 Cedar Road.

The Career Fair, sponsored by the college’s Career Services Center, will offer information on career positions, internships and part-time opportunities. Students, alumni and the community are invited to attend. The event is free and no registration is required.

Employers will gather to meet job seekers, share information and make connections, all under one roof. In addition, some employers will offer on-the-spot interviews for potential employees.

Among the employers represented at the fair will be Allied Universal Event Services, Chesapeake Police Dept., Dollar Tree Corp., Hope House Foundation, Nauticus, Sentara Healthcare, TowneBank and more.

A complete roster of participating companies is available on the College Central Network, the college’s free web-based tool for job seekers.

The event will also feature TCC information tables with staff to provide prospective students with information about academic programs, financial aid, admissions and student services.

Transportation will be provided for students to and from the Career Fair. Pickup and drop-offs will be at the campus student centers.

For more information, help with resumes and interview tips visit here. You can also call the Career Services Center at 757-822-7228 or contact TCC’s Virtual Student Support Team at 757-822-1111.

Army veteran gets fresh start at TCC

Arlethia White-Farris does not like to talk about her military service. She will tell you that she’s a proud Army veteran who saw combat in Afghanistan and Kuwait. She was given an honorable discharge after two years of service and returned to her home in Capitol Heights, Maryland.

Back in the states, she dealt with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as well as the negative influences of her surroundings. The family struggled and was often without power and used the gas oven to heat their home.

“There was a lot of gang activity, and I was getting drawn back in. I was also selling drugs to help pay mom’s medical bills and keep the lights on,” she said.

Seeking a fresh start, Arlethia, 28, moved to Hampton Roads to live with her aunt near Tidewater Community College’s Portsmouth Campus. She got a job, but realized she wasn’t getting ahead. Then the bottom fell out.

“I hit rock bottom when I lost my job, and my car broke down. That’s when I decided to try college. TCC was within walking distance of where I was staying and it was time,” she said.

That was the start of an academic journey that has had many challenges. But through it all, Arlethia has persevered. She will earn an Associate of Applied Science in Graphic Design this month.

“I started at TCC to better myself and I’m an entirely different person now. The student center staff allowed me to open up, explore my poetry and just grow,” she said.

Arlethia was also supported by the staff of the Open Door Project, a program designed to help first-time college students succeed in school.

“I definitely gained a community at TCC. I belonged and the people make sure everyone who walks through the doors feels welcome, seen and heard,” she said.

While at TCC, Arlethia was president of the NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) chapter on the Portsmouth Campus. She says that her mental health has steadily improved thanks to the work of the group.

She hopes to use the experience and her degree to open Art Release 360, an organization for people who need support with their mental health. “It will be a place where people can use art to heal their traumas,” Arlethia said. “I want to help people express their thoughts without judgment and provide therapy to those in need.”

A year after starting at TCC, Arlethia became financially stable when she landed a job as a recreation aide with Norfolk Naval Station. She learned about the job through an on-campus job fair in the student center. She now works doing security for a state agency, and also does freelance graphic design work to build her portfolio.

Arlethia sends a shout-out to TCC staffers Alicia Peoples, Charlene Taylor, Jeanine Anderson and Zebeth Newton for looking out for her and going the extra mile.

“This degree has taken blood, sweat and tears, but it’s also given me my purpose,” she added.

She hopes to one day work in film, telling Black stories that can be overlooked or untold. She has even written a play that she is reworking into a movie script.

She is planning to attend film school next year to hone her craft. “I want to tell authentic stories as raw and real as I can,” she added.

“Over the years, I’ve had a lot of people tell me that being an artist and telling stories is not a real job,” Arlethia said. “But I found a new path that will allow me to do what I love. What could be better than that?”

“People come to TCC to get jobs and they need employment even while they are here.” – Babi Brock, Career Services Center manager

So, you’ve got that degree or certificate. Now what?

Landing a job in your field may be easier than you think. And TCC has resources to help you!

“People come to TCC to get jobs and they need employment even while they are here,” said Babi Brock, Career Services Center manager. “Our goal is to make sure students are successful with their job searches and that they are prepared with all that they need for those important interviews.”

Babi Brock with TCC students Shai Bruno and Mahogany Brown.

Resume writing assistance and “mock” interviews

The first step is to develop a polished resume and cover letter. TCC’s Career Services Center offers appointments and staff are there to help you present your education and experience in the best light.

One-on-one resume writing assistance is available by calling 757-822-7228. You can also have your resume reviewed by a staff member by emailing Brock at bbrock@tcc.edu.

Staff can also help you prepare for those important job interviews by conducting “mock” interviews with you in-person or via Zoom.

TCC student Buff Okigbo learning about available jobs with Brock in the Career Services Center.

TCC’s College Central Network

Next, visit TCC’s College Central Network (CCN). This free, web-based tool is designed to help students, alumni and community members connect with employers looking to fill a wide range of jobs.

All you have to do is register to be a user and then you can browse open positions, upload a resume, and create a shareable portfolio to showcase examples of your work to employers. Other resources in CCN include career advice podcasts, notices about posted positions, upcoming events and additional services.

Additionally, career services staff are presenting a variety of career development and job readiness workshops this summer. For more information, check out the events tab on the College Central Network.

Resources for jobs

If you’re still not sure what you want to do, the college has a Career Coach Tool to match your degree or certificate, along with your interests with career fields.

TCC’s Career Services Center is located in the Virginia Beach Campus Student Center on the second floor. The center has computers and fax machines you can use in your job search, along with information on job opportunities and resource guides.

Making important connections

Career Services Center staff work with employers to offer a variety of on-campus recruitment events, including information sessions, individual hiring events, career fairs and career days.

Brock added, “On the other side, we have employers who come to us looking for people to fill roles within their companies. We want to help them by connecting them to our students who are well prepared for work in their fields.”

Remember to also talk with your professors as they have contacts in your fields of study and can often provide you with a reference.

For more information about TCC’s Career Services visit here. Or contact Babi Brock at bbrock@tcc.edu.

TCC Career Services staff provide resume help and connections to jobs

So you’ve got that degree or certificate. Now what?

Landing a job in your field may be easier than you think. And TCC has resources to help you.

First things first

The first step is to develop a polished resume and cover letter. TCC’s Career Services office offers appointments and staff are there to help you present your education and experience in the best light.

One-on-one resume writing assistance is available by appointment by calling 757-822-7228. You can also have your resume reviewed by a Career Services staff member by emailing Babi Brock at bbrock@tcc.edu.

Resources for jobs

Next, visit TCC’s College Central Network (CCN). This free, web-based tool is designed to help students and alumni connect with employers looking to fill a wide range of jobs.

All you have to do is register to be a user and then you can browse open positions, upload a resume and create a shareable portfolio to showcase examples of your work to employers. Other resources include the CCN app, access to career advice podcasts, job postings alerts, and upcoming career fairs.

A place to go

TCC’s Career Services Office, located in the Virginia Beach Campus Student Center, Room KS42, has computers and fax machines you can use in your job search. The office also has postings on job opportunities and resource guides.

If you’re still not sure what you want to do, the college has a Career Coach Tool to match your degree or certificate, along with your interests in career fields.

Making important connections

Remember to also talk with your professors as they may have contacts in your fields of study and can often provide you a reference or even leads to open jobs.

More information

For more information about TCC’s Career Services call (757) 822-7228 or email Babi Brock at bbrock@tcc.edu or Shauna Woods-Springer at swoods-springer@tcc.edu

TCC to host Early Childhood Education & Recreation Career Fair on March 15

Tidewater Community College will host an Early Childhood Education and Recreation Career Fair and Hiring Event on March 15.

The event, which is open to the public, will be held at the Virginia Beach Campus Student Center in the gymnasium, K204, from 1 to 4 p.m.

Among the employers present for this networking opportunity are:

City of Suffolk Parks & Recreation
Continental Pools
Creative World School – River Walk
Kids Town Learning Center
Nauticus
Ocean Breeze Waterpark
Primrose School of Virginia Beach South
Simon Family Jewish Community Center
St. Andrew Preschool
St. Mary’s Home
Strelitz-Early Childhood Education Center
Virginia Beach Youth Opportunities Office
Wave Children’s Learning Center
YMCA of South Hampton Roads

Applicants should wear appropriate interview attire and bring multiple copies of their resumé.

RSVP is required by registering with TCC’s Career Success Network. Non-TCC students and alumni can register as guests.

For additional information, call 757-822-7228.

TCC’s Career Services Center has scheduled additional fairs this spring in the following areas:

Information Technology & Business, March 29
Customer Service & Hospitality, April 12
Maritime, Manufacturing, Industrial/Trades, April 24
Health Professions & Human Services, May 3

Find updates at tcc.edu/careerfairs.