BRCC unveils online tool to help with career choices

WEYERS CAVE — Virginia’s community college system Tuesday unveiled a new online tool that will allow students to make more informed course and career choices.

The Virginia Education Wizard is the culmination of two years of planning and $2.5 million in federal funds.

Glenn DuBois, chancellor of the Virginia Community College System, said he pondered such an online tool after booking a family vacation.

DuBois said he wondered if it was possible to book and plan vacations on one site “couldn’t we do this for higher education?”

It was then that DuBois and his staff embarked on the Virginia Education Wizard, a “one-stop shop’’ for helping students.

The Wizard offers students assessments to help them chart career paths, and information on those career paths in various Virginia markets.

The curriculum to achieve careers and options at community college campuses close to users are also available.

There are 23 community colleges on 40 campuses in Virginia.

Users of The Virginia Education Wizard receive a projection of their expected college costs based on the curriculum and schools they select.

DuBois said what “is most compelling about the Wizard is that it integrates the information at that users need, so they can make informed choices.”

Blue Ridge Community College President James Perkins said one of the missions of community college is to provide services to advance economic development.

In the Wizard, Perkins said “this is one extra tool to help students think about skills and abilities and match with career and program opportunities.”

DuBois said another strong reason for The Wizard is that college leaders see students who don’t plan careers appropriately.

He said administrators “see too many students who make random course choices that don’t take them step-by-step to where they ultimately want to be.”

The tool is available at http://www.vawizard.org.