Moorefield, W.Va. — The Eastern West Virginia Community & Technical College Career Services Department hosted “Camp Career” on Tuesday, February 25, 2025. This free, interactive career counseling event was made possible by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission/West Virginia Community & Technical College System First-Generation Students Grant, aimed at supporting first-generation students.
However, the event welcomed all students and community members. With flexible sessions that attendees could join or leave as needed, it allowed participants to work it into their busy schedules. Attendees also enjoyed Chick-fil-A wraps, beverages, and other refreshments. A highlight of the event was the chance to win a prize valued at over $300: a North Face 6-person camping tent with Stanley camping cookware.
Dixie Heavener, career counselor at Eastern, led the event, delivering workshops on crafting resumes that tell a compelling story, mastering interviews and professional dress, creating job search strategies, negotiating a first salary with confidence, building a professional network, and honing a personal brand. Additionally, Heavener provided guidance on how to navigate workplace culture and expectations.
Heavener stated, “Camp Career provided a dynamic and comprehensive introduction to essential career competencies, aimed at empowering first-generation students with the skills necessary to confidently transition into the professional world and pursue their career aspirations.
As the semester draws to a close, I reflect on the rewarding opportunities I had to work closely with students through one-on-one coaching sessions, assisting them with resume writing, job search strategies, and mock interviews. I strongly encourage others to take advantage of the valuable, free services offered through Eastern’s Career Services.”
Throughout the day, Heavener actively engaged the audience, gathering feedback on their job search experiences and offering personalized suggestions on how to improve. She also posed interview questions for the group to practice, offering tips on making answers more compelling.
At the midpoint of the event, Heavener shared a TED Talk by Kerri Twigg, “The Future of Work is Here.” The talk focused on a personal journey of self-discovery and emphasized how identifying personal strengths—especially those that might seem unconventional—can lead to finding fulfilling, passion-driven work.
One lucky attendee, Kiyana Morgan, a first-generation student at Eastern, won the grand prize camping package. Morgan is no stranger to success, having also won Best-in-Show at Eastern’s First-Generation Student Art and Literary Showcase in November 2024.
Eastern West Virginia Community & Technical College is grateful to have hosted this event for students, thanks to the support from the 2025 WVHEPC/WCTCS First-Gen Student Success Grant. This was the third event in a series designed to support first-gen student success. There will be two more events held this semester in this series.
The next is the Reflections Writing Competition: ‘First’ where students can submit writings on the topic of what first means to them. Submissions should be submitted to dominic.phillips@easternwv.edu by April 4, 2025.
Finally, there will be a Student Success Night on May 16, 2025, to award students for completing their first semester and if they’ve made an honors list. To register for this free event, go to https://student-success-night.eventbrite.com/.
