Steps of Project A.H.E.A.D.:
Step 1: Introductory Orientation
Orientation begins with filling out a personal profile designed to identify the wants and needs of each participant. Project AHEAD uses a holistic approach to create a firm foundation from which the participant can begin the climb up their career ladder. Project AHEAD’s orientation is designed to empower new students with the strength to grip the next rung on their ladder of success. Project AHEAD is located on Chattanooga State Technical Community College’s main campus where Orientations take place once a month.
Step 2: Comprehensive Assessment
Assessment tools are used to match the participant’s interests, strengths and experiences with their educational and life style pursuits. The assessments include: TABE, Strengths Quest, Myer-Briggs, Learning Styles, Personality Mosaic, Kudder, etc… Assessments assist Project AHEAD staff in encouraging students to accept greater responsibility for their successes, manage behaviors and set realistic goals.
Step 3: Self Discovery Workshops
The self discovery workshops target the internal perspectives of each student to provide avenues for change. The self discovery workshops include: It’s All About Choices, Goal Setting, Diversity, Fish Philosophy, Communication, Financial Management, and Critical Thinking Skills. Workshops provide students the skills they need to be confident in climbing to the next rung.
Step 4: Career Exploration
Student’s explore and define their career goals through multimedia avenues. These include investigating work activities, personal skill building tasks, discovering information on key attributes and characteristics of workers and occupations. Career exploration can be used as an organizing aspect to assist students, and staff regarding employment/life history, educational backgrounds, and career goals, identify barriers to employment and for setting future goals. Visit the Career Services and Counseling Center's website at http://www.chattanoogastate.edu/careers/.
Step 5: Improve Fundamental Skills
PassKey is an easy-to-use, self-paced computer learning system designed to help students gain proficiency in Reading, Writing, and Math. Hundreds of Web-based lessons are available ranging from grades 1.6 to college entry. Students strengthen logic and reasoning through identifying alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems along with the essential reading, writing and math skills that are crucial in college and employment success.
Step 6: Strengthening Employability
The educational workshops aim at building successful strategies for working in diverse professional settings including; technology advancement, coping strategies, conflict resolution, etc. ... The intended results of the workshops are to strengthen employability and to cultivate a positive image in a formal work environment.
Step 7: Chattanooga State Educational Opportunities
CSTCC offers a wide range of career paths which include:
• Continuing Education Courses (C.N.A., Phlebotomy, Truck Driving)
• Tennessee Technology Center Degrees
To ensure success in the pursuit of these career paths Project AHEAD offers’ mentoring that focuses on educational issues such as course and program selection; class scheduling, school adjustment, non-attendance, study habits, and career planning in the journey to the top.
Step 8: What’s Next?
Project A.H.E.A.D. graduates are motivated to meet the challenges of the future. They leave with improved self-esteem, greater confidence in abilities, enhanced job skills, and a broader networking matrix.