Amber Rowe
Staff Writer

Photo by Amber Rowe

Career Pathways Director - Caleb Walsh works at the College of Technology-Crossett. He recently began his new position as Career Pathways Director.

     The University of Arkansas-Monticello Colleges of Technology-Crossett and McGehee introduced a new program in July of this year to benefit parents enrolled in school.

   The new program, Career Pathways, provides financial assistance, child care, transportation assistance and career counseling. Twenty-five Arkansas universities display Career Pathways. Caleb Walsh holds the position of the Career Pathways Program Director.

   “We assist students in many ways, one being that we are able to provide vouchers to purchase gas, and we also provide child care assistance,” Walsh said. "This program is designed to enhance these student’s lives."

   To qualify for eligibility, a person must have children under the age of 19 living at home, receive Transitional Employment Assistance now, received TEA benefits it in the past, receive food stamps or Medicaid, and have an annual family income below 200 percent of federal poverty level (about $36,000 annually for a family of three). The grant provides for assistance if qualified, renews yearly and is approved every two years.

   Aside from the Career Pathways Program, an Employee Ability Program is offered to parents going back to school. This course teaches job interview skills, dressing for success, keyboarding and creating a resume.

   After the completion of this course students receive an Employability Certificate. The criteria that must be met to obtain this certificate are:

• Taking the Test for Adult Basic Education, which requires a site grade level of the eighth grade.
• Completing a career inventory, with counseling, which determines your placement in the career field.
• Completing a department of Workforce Services application.
• Taking a keyboarding test and being able to type 20 words per minute.
• Having an updated resume.
• Completing a computer literacy test with a score of 85 percent required.
• Going through Job Readiness Training and completing a minimum of 12 contact hours.

    Walsh said he keeps busy with the two programs. Walsh, a native of Crossett and a 1997 Crossett High School graduate, went to the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville where he received his B.A. in Psychology.

   “I moved back to Crossett in January of this year, and I was seeking a career opportunity in which I could assist people somehow. I was an Administrative Assistant, and around July the chance came to apply for the job as director,” Walsh said.

   Linda Rushing said she thought Walsh was well qualified for the director position.   

   “During the time Caleb was Administrative Assistant, we became fully aware of his administrative and leadership skills. His educational background, work experience and skills have proven to be a great match for the job,” said Rushing, UAM-COT Crossett’s Vice Chancellor.  "Caleb has a genuine interest in the people and the economy of Southeast Arkansas; he does a great job, and we are pleased to have him on our staff."

   Walsh said his least favorite part of his job had to be the bureaucracy and making sure things went well.

   “I am given the chance to help so many individuals that normally would not be able to go back to school,” Walsh said.

   For more information on the Career Pathways Program contact Walsh at walshc@uamont.edu.