Career Development Team helps you find your dream career

Release Date
Employer speaking to two students at a table at an HFC career fair

Designed to help students find the best path to their careers, the HFC Career Development Team is a collaboration between the Counseling Center, Career Services, and Student Activities.

The Career Development Team comprises:

  • HFC Counselors Dr. Brenda Hildreth and Amy Ducklow
  • HFC Career Services Officer Chad Austin
  • HFC Director of Student Activities Dr. Cassandra Fluker

“HFC's Career Development Team helps students understand career decision-making. We meet with students and help them understand where they are in the process. We then connect them with the tools and resources to help them navigate the required decisions. This support is often what the students need to enhance their college experience and keep them on track toward their goals,” said Ducklow.

From the classroom to a dream career

Fluker said her team polls the student body every other year to determine how best to meet their needs. Students said they wanted more mental health, financial management, and, especially, career preparation seminars.

“For a stronger outcome and impact on student success, we invited Career Services and Counseling, which led to the formation of the Career Development Team. I am grateful to be collaborating with them, because one department can’t do this. Our aim is to introduce students to career-planning resources and provide opportunities for them to hear firsthand from professionals from various fields,” explained Fluker.

“The Career Development Team is designed to get HFC students from the classroom to their dream careers,” said Hildreth. “Counselors help students take the first step. We help students find their path to careers that match their interests, personalities, abilities, and values. Then, Career Services helps them take the second step by helping them master skills like creating a résumé and interviewing for a position. It is important that students start this process as early in their education as possible. We can save students money and time.”

Improving college support services based on student needs

Fluker’s dissertation for her doctorate of community college leadership focused on gaining insights that could improve college support services pertaining to students’ career paths. She applied those concepts to the Career Development Team.

“Why do people enroll in college? To get an education, so they can find a job and become a productive member of society,” she said. “If you’re not taking into consideration your career goals, then you’re not getting the full educational experience to land the job you want. I know former students who have graduated and are either unemployed or underemployed because they didn’t do the necessary career research for their major.”

Fluker continued: “HFC is trying to change that narrative, which is why the career preparation series is important. So far, it’s been successful, and I hope more students catch on in the semesters ahead.”

For questions or more information about the Career Development Team, contact Fluker at 313-845-9838 or crfluker@hfcc.edu.