DEARBORN — Henry Ford College hosted five delegates from Greece for a Career Services Exploration and Discussion tour on its main campus in late September.
The purpose of this visit was to:
• Examine how career centers operating in the United States contribute in youth entrepreneurship, innovation and job creation.
• Provide examples of how HFC helps students obtain jobs through programs and web-based services, including online counseling, online job search databases and e-recruiting.
• Explore ways HFC partners with faculty members, alumni, community leaders and businesses for internship and mentorship programs.
• Learn about private partnerships for investment in career centers and associations that support professional development for career center staff.
The delegation – which included Foteini Adadmidi, who works for the General Secretariat for Higher Education at the Ministry of Education in Athens – met with Chad Austin and Krysten Rue of HFC Career Services and Holly Diamond, HFC director of Enrollment Services, Office of the Registrar. The U.S. State Department coordinated the visit as part of an ongoing cultural and educational program.
Austin, HFC Career Services officer, explained to the delegates how Career Services partners with prospective employers to provide job search assistance to current HFC students and alumni.
From there, they toured the HFC Automotive Technology Program’s Automotive Student Service Educational Training technology lab. ASSET – an alliance between Ford Motor Co., participating Ford and Lincoln-Mercury dealers, and participating community colleges or technical and vocational schools – provide automotive technicians to Ford dealerships.
“The relationship between HFC and Ford is one of the strongest in the ASSET program,” ASSET Lead Instructor Gary Heinz said.
Afterwards, the group toured the HFC Physical Therapist Assistant program’s hands-on lab and watched a live streaming video. This program prepares individuals for employment as entry-level physical therapist assistants.
Students in this program will have learning experiences in the classroom, laboratory and in local physical therapy facilities. The final semester is spent in full-time clinical externships.
The tour and discussion concluded over a luncheon prepared by HFC Culinary Arts students and faculty. The meal provided all parties the opportunity to converse freely and discuss some of the challenges and interesting aspects associated with their respective fields.
Both HFC staff and the delegates found the visit to be a worthwhile and educational experience.
“Getting a chance to hear from others in the same field but from a different country opened my eyes to how many things we have in common but also how cultural and societal differences play a role in what we do,” Austin said.