Career & Transfer Fair Brings Opportunities to KCC

The Career & Transfer Fair introduced students to educational and professional opportunities beyond campus. (Photo by Vasilisa Nesterenko)

By Vasilisa Nesterenko | Staff Writer

Students filled the campus on Wednesday, February 25, as the Career and Transfer Fair took place at KCC in three locations across campus: Lama Library, Makahiapo, and ʻŌhiʻa Cafeteria. Over 30 representatives from local universities and industries were present, including Chaminade University, UH Mānoa, healthcare organizations, hospitality professionals, and even the U.S. Army.

Read on to learn more about the educational and career opportunities showcased on campus.

Transfer Opportunities: Continuing Education Pathways

Public Health

The Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health at UH Mānoa offers both a minor and a bachelor’s degree in Public Health. This program is a strong fit for students interested in medical professions who also want to work with data analysis. The curriculum focuses on studying health patterns across entire populations, analyzing historical data, and predicting the spread of future diseases. Bailey Holly, an undergraduate advisor for the program, shared her perspective.

“Public Health is a very interdisciplinary, cool field,” she said. “We accept students from all different backgrounds who don’t necessarily have any public health background, or even a science background.”

Psychology

The Psychology major at UH Mānoa is designed for students interested in studying relationships within themselves and others. Maegan Walker, professor of Psychology and faculty advisor for the Psychology Club, represented the program at the event.

“[Psychology] is at the root of helping us understand ourselves,” she said. “Students are naturally drawn to psychology as a way to learn more about their own emotions, behavior, and why other people do the things that they do.”

A Psychology degree can lead to a wide range of career opportunities, from counseling to research, depending on the level of education pursued.

Human Development and Family Science

The Human Development and Family Science program is part of the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience at UH Mānoa. The program focuses on studying human development across all stages of life.

According to Nomi Eloise Ruiz, the program’s representative, many students choose HDFS as a pre-med pathway before entering medical school. The interdisciplinary nature of the program also connects students to areas such as nutrition, family systems, and community health.

Second Language Teaching

The Second Language Teaching (SLT) degree is an option for students who love studying languages and want to build a career around them. The curriculum includes courses on language acquisition, grammar, and linguistic structure.

The program opens multiple career opportunities. With an SLT certificate, students can work as classroom assistants or even travel abroad to teach English.

Caroline Torres, a KCC professor of linguistics, explained that the skills developed in the program extend far beyond teaching.

“You have to learn how to explain things clearly, and how to work with students at different levels and meet their needs,”  Torres said. “Even if you don’t end up being a teacher, those skills can help you across different majors and career paths.”

Career Opportunities: Employers Recruiting on Campus

Highgate Hotels

 

Students interested in the tourism industry and innovative hospitality companies may find a strong match in Highgate Hotels. The company operates 15 properties across Hawaiʻi, including Best Western Plaza Hotel, Courtyard by Marriott, and several other well-known locations on Oʻahu.

Highgate is currently hiring for a variety of positions, ranging from college internships in sales to restaurant management roles. Malia Walker, HR Manager, represented Highgate at the event and shared what makes the company stand out.

“What’s great about Highgate is that because we are newer, we’re a little more creative in how we approach hospitality, and we’re aggressive about that,” she said. “If there’s a way we can elevate the guest experience, we’re going to try it. That’s how we’ve been able to grow in the industry and become one of the top companies in the world,” she said.

U.S. Army National Guard

For students seeking meaningful service alongside their education or careers, the U.S. Army National Guard offers a part-time military pathway. The commitment typically includes one weekend drill per month and two weeks of annual training during the summer.

“It is part-time service with full-time benefits,” said Jazzmene Patterson, who represented the U.S. Army National Guard at the event. According to Patterson, military service helped her grow personally and develop leadership skills.

“You have to be able to communicate and build team camaraderie with others,” she said. “That definitely benefits you in every area.”

ʻOhana Pacific Health

ʻOhana Pacific Health (OPH) is one of the largest healthcare organizations in Hawaiʻi, operating across 17 entities statewide. The organization is currently hiring for a wide range of healthcare positions, including nurse aides, CNAs, LPNs, and RNs, as well as roles in HR, security, and maintenance.

OPH also offers an “Earn and Learn” program, which allows students to gain hands-on experience in non-direct patient care while earning their Nurse Aide certification.

Joseph Jugo, who represented OPH at the event, described the program as one of the fastest and most accessible ways to enter the healthcare field, combining personal growth, practical training, and career advancement opportunities.