The Careers, Advocacy, Resources and Engagement (CARE) Center's mission is to support Blackhawk Technical College students on their path to academic and career success by helping them access services and resources on campus and in the community that assist them in managing barriers and developing connections.
Support services offered through the CARE Center:
- Career and employment services
- Counseling and case management services
- Access and Accommodations Services
- Access to community resources
- Emergency assistance support
- The Career Closet
- The Student Cupboard
- Campus engagement opportunities
Students looking for a quiet and comfortable workspace for assignments or job searching can use the CARE Center space! The CARE Center is located on the Beloit-Janesville Campus in room 2220 but resources are available for students at all Blackhawk campuses. For more information, contact carecenter@blackhawk.edu.
Counseling and Case Management Services
Counseling and case management services are FREE and available for all current students to assist in dealing with issues that impact their overall well-being. Counselors understand there are pressures and challenges faced while in college–not all of them academic. Through counseling and case management, current students can share problems in a safe and supportive space. For more information, visit www.blackhawk.edu/Student-Experience/Student-Services#campus-resources.
Counselors can help during these times by:
- Sharing ways to manage stress and anxiety
- Linking students to school and community resources
- Discussing emergency assistance options for students
- Assisting in improving problem-solving and coping skills
- Helping identify strengths and sources of support
- Offering a different perspective
- Providing a safe place to talk and have someone who will listen
Mental Well-Being
As mentioned, counseling and case management services are FREE and available for all current students. If individual counseling needs are determined to be beyond what is considered brief, every effort will be made to refer the student to an affordable, appropriate, community-based provider. Additionally, students can access support resources such as HeadSpace and BetterMynd.
Emergency Financial Assistance
Funding is available for eligible Blackhawk students experiencing unforeseen financial expenses. Transportation and childcare assistance are also available for eligible students. For more information, see www.blackhawk.edu/Paying-for-College/Financial-Aid/Emergency-Financial-Assistance#emergency-financial-assistance.
Nontraditional Occupations (NTO)
Men and women both want careers they enjoy. The U.S. Department of Labor defines nontraditional occupations as careers in which women or men comprise 25% or less of the total workforce. Advantages of nontraditional occupations include: higher wages, good benefits, advancement opportunities and enjoyable work. But there can be challenges, too, such as: feeling isolated, balancing work and personal life and finding mentors in the field. NTO students may be eligible for transportation or childcare assistance.
Student Cupboard
The Blackhawk Student Cupboard is a food pantry-style campus resource supplying supplemental food, hygiene and household cleaning items. It is open to all Blackhawk students. The goal is to help meet immediate food needs of students and their families. Blackhawk encourages students to visit once a week to select products based on household size. The Student Cupboard is located in the CARE Center, Room 2220 in the Central building on the Beloit-Janesville Campus. See www.blackhawk.edu/Student-Experience/Student-Services#campus-resources for more information.
Parent Study Lounge
Blackhawk has a Parent Study Lounge at the Beloit-Janesville Campus. The space is designed for Blackhawk students to study while supervising their children in a family-friendly environment. Students are required to check in to the space and confirm liability and supervision of their children while using the Parent Study Lounge.
Student Engagement
The CARE Center can connect students to student organizations, committees, positions and events that meet on Blackhawk campuses. See the Student Engagement section for more information. For a comprehensive list of opportunities, email the CARE Center at carecenter@blackhawk.edu.
Career Closet
The Career Closet provides all Blackhawk students access to new and gently used professional attire for interviews, career fairs, networking events and the workplace. The goal of the Career Closet is to remove financial barriers that may prevent students with the highest need from looking and feeling their best during the internship and job search process. The Career Closet is located in the CARE Center (room 2220).