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Vermont Career Connect

Vermont Career Connect—a virtual career exploration program to help you:

  • think about the future
  • explore new possibilities
  • hear directly from people in a wide variety of careers about their work

Below you’ll find a career interest survey, career interview videos organized by career cluster, resources for exploring careers and training requirements, recordings from past virtual events, and an activity to help you reflect on and identify next steps in your career planning journey. Click on each tab to access these materials.

Live events

KINGDOM CAREER CONNECT & THE NEK STEM FAIR

Every fall VSAC hosts an in-person career exploration event for middle schoolers in and around the Northeast Kingdom. This event is produced in partnership with Vermont State University, Northern Vermont AHEC, Careers CLiC, the Vermont Department of Labor, and the J. Warren and Lois McClure Foundation. Students attend with their schools to take part in a day of hands-on activities related to more than a dozen careers, including career exploration workshops and a hands-on STEM fair. This year's event took place on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at Vermont State University Lyndon.

RUTLAND AREA STEM FAIR

VSAC hosts this event to encourage middle school students in and around the Rutland region to develop STEM identities and consider future careers in STEM-related fields. Students attend with their schools to engage with more than a dozen hands-on STEM exhibits and take a STEM-focused tour of the VTSU Castleton campus. This year's event took place on Thursday, October 12, 2023, at Vermont State University Castleton.

VIRTUAL CAREER PANEL

VSAC also hosts a virtual career panel for middle schoolers across the state. View the recording and panelist answers to student questions from the 2023 event which took place on Thursday, November 16, 2023.

This event is structured around Vermont’s High-Pay, High Demand Jobs, and kicks off with an intro to career exploration in middle school from Careers CLiC, followed by a Q&A with panelists in four jobs that pay a livable wage and are projected to have many openings in the state over the next 10 years.

View the event flyer for more details on the 2023 panelists.

If your school is interested in being added to the invitation list for any of these events, reach out to Anna at telensky@vsac.org.

A great career allows you to get paid for work that matches your interests and abilities. Download this worksheet to help you identify the Career Clusters that might be the best fit for you.

The National Career Clusters® Framework was created by Advance CTE and includes 16 Career Clusters representing 79 Career Pathways that can help you discover and pursue the best educational and career pathway for your unique interests and abilities. Read more about all 16 Career Clusters and find more detailed information and resources for exploring Career Pathways here

Click on each green bar for resources on each career cluster.

Cluster 1: Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources

Place-Based Education Coordinator for the Center for an Agricultural Economy, Reeve Basom. Learn about jobs that support local food systems and food security.

Game warden Jeff Whipple of the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. Learn about the gear a game warden wears, check out a bear trap, and tour their:

Shelburne Farm’s director of professional learning, Jen Cirillo

Water Resources Program Manager at Tacoma Pierce County Health Department, Christine Cooley 

Energy educator with VEEP and NHEEP, Kaity White

Green energy careers  

Outdoor educator and wilderness medicine instructor with Outward Bound and NOLS, Eric Strickler 

Environmental scientist and environmental studies professor at Dartmouth College, David Lutz

Director of The Climate Consensus and faculty member/chair of the Atmospheric Sciences Department at NVU-Lyndon, Janel Hanrahan, PhD

Co-owner of Last Resort Farm, Eugenie Doyle

State Lands Forester with the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Paul Szwedo

Energy engineer & senior program manager at Con Edison Clean Energy Businesses, Leah Milcarek, PE

Veterinarian Dr. Dayna Locitzer

River management engineer with the VT Department of Environmental Conservation, Todd Menees, PE. Learn about the VT River and Roads Training Program

Cluster 2: Architecture and Construction

Careers in construction with Vermont Talent Pipeline members PC Construction, DEW Construction, New England Air Systems, BreadLoaf Construction, ReArch Company, and Engelberth Construction

Civil engineer, David Nason

Civil engineering, Andrea Day, PE and Vice President of Dufresne Group 

Energy educator with VEEP and NHEEP, Kaity White

Architect, designer, maker, and teacher, Kimo Griggs

Energy engineer & senior program manager at Con Edison Clean Energy Businesses, Leah Milcarek, PE

River management engineer with the VT Department of Environmental Conservation, Todd Menees, PE. Learn about the VT River and Roads Training Program.  

Off-grid specialist at Catamount Solar, Chris Sparadeo

Master electrician and business owner, John Arrison

President of Norway & Sons: VT Electrical Contractors, Jeff Norway

Green energy careers

Construction Operations Manager at Alliance Mechanical, Gary Morin

Registered apprenticeships (PDF)

Cluster 3: Arts, A/V Technology, and Communications

Author Beth Kanell

Managing editor for News Center Maine, Dana Rosengard

Musician, producer, and music coach, Patrick Ross

DJ and entertainer at LinCo Entertainment, Corey Gottfried

Founding director of Davis Studio for art education, Teresa Davis

Cartoonist Jarad Greene

Music producer Brian Warwick, GRAMMY® winning engineer and assistant professor at NVU-Lyndon 

Senior graphic designer at Higher Ground, Bobby Hackney

Technical writer Katie Ferguson

Celebrant and ceremony officiant Martha Dallas 

Music video production with dancer/videographer Liam Kinney

Cluster 4: Business, Management, and Administration

Managing editor for News Center Maine, Dana Rosengard

Business owner, DJ and entertainer at LinCo Entertainment, Corey Gottfried

Professor of business and accounting at Landmark College, Dr. Jeanette Landin

Executive assistant at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital, Mandy Chapman

Nursing administration careers at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital

Project manager at BioTek Instruments, Jamie Gravelin, and learn about some of BioTek's imaging products for live cell analysis 

Senior evaluation and research analyst at VSAC, Anna Prescott, PhD

Paralegal with Cleary Shahi & Aicher, P.C., Robyn Sweet, CRP

Owner of Power Play Sports and Waterbury Sports, Caleb Magoon 

Human resources director at VSAC, Julie Hulburd 

Recruiter at Google, Trevor Gilmore 

Technical sourcing recruiter Erica Combopiano 

Software consultant & CEO of Combo Consulting, Joe Combopiano 

Founding director of Davis Studio for art education, Teresa Davis 

Celebrant and ceremony officiant Martha Dallas 

Associate director of audience products at Xandr, Mike Newell

Library director of the Norwich Public Library, Lucinda Walker 

Yoga teacher Amber Gregory

Clinical social worker/therapist, Allie Forward, LICSW

Development director (fundraiser) for the House of Ruth, Elizabeth Kiker 

Co-owner of Last Resort Farm, Eugenie Doyle

Product operations manager at Burton Snowboards, Fay Leuck 

Client services manager at Cartus, Janet Newell 

Automotive technician & owner of Brian's North End Automotive, Brian Moegelin

Master electrician and business owner, John Arrison

President of Norway & Sons: VT Electrical Contractors, Jeff Norway

Construction Operations Manager at Alliance Mechanical, Gary Morin

Cluster 5: Education and Training

Shelburne Farm’s director of professional learning, Jen Cirillo

Program director at University Beyond Bars, Margaret Burke

Executive director at the Nanubhai Education Foundation, Sarah Birgé

Musician, producer, and music coach, Patrick Ross

Structural engineer and professor at Vermont Technical College, Scott Sabol. P.E.

Marine engineer and professor of engineering at Maine Maritime Academy, Laurie Flood 

Professor of business and accounting at Landmark College, Dr. Jeanette Landin

Elementary teacher Kathryn Locke 

Director at Heartworks Preschool Burlington, Ilia Gilligan 

Founding director of Davis Studio for art education, Teresa Davis 

Energy educator with VEEP and NHEEP, Kaity White

Green energy careers  

Outdoor educator and wilderness medicine instructor with Outward Bound and NOLS, Eric Strickler 

Library director of the Norwich Public Library, Lucinda Walker 

Science educator at the Fairbanks Museum Career, Bobby Farlice-Rubio 

Environmental scientist and environmental studies professor at Dartmouth College, David Lutz

Athletic director at NVU-Johnson, Barbara Lougee

Director of The Climate Consensus and faculty member/chair of the Atmospheric Sciences Department at NVU-Lyndon, Janel Hanrahan, PhD 

School social worker Ashley W.

Yoga teacher Amber Gregory

Architect, designer, maker, and teacher, Kimo Griggs

Special educator at Browns River Middle School, Robin Clokey

Early childhood education careers with Lets Grow Kids

Coordinator for the Franklin Grand Isle Tobacco Prevention Coalition, Amy Brewer

Registered apprenticeships (PDF)

Cluster 6: Finance

Treasury management officer at TD Bank, David Stagliano

CPA, Controller, and Director of Finance at VSAC, Bruce Hicken 

Technical writer Katie Ferguson

State representative and Director of Outreach and Financial Literacy with the Vermont Office of the State Treasurer, Dylan Giambatista

Registered apprenticeships (PDF)

Cluster 7: Government and Public Administration

Executive director at the Nanubhai Education Foundation, Sarah Birgé

Program director at University Beyond Bars, Margaret Burke

Senior evaluation and research analyst at VSAC, Anna Prescott, PhD

Water Resources Program Manager at Tacoma Pierce County Health Department, Christine Cooley 

Library director of the Norwich Public Library, Lucinda Walker 

Williston Town Manager Erik Wells

Development director (fundraiser) for the House of Ruth, Elizabeth Kiker 

Pilot with the United States Air Force, Second Lieutenant Samantha Waltz 

State Lands Forester with the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Paul Szwedo

Public Engagement Director at the Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance, Charlie Gliserman 

State representative and Director of Outreach and Financial Literacy with the Vermont Office of the State Treasurer, Dylan Giambatista

River management engineer with the VT Department of Environmental Conservation, Todd Menees, PE. Learn about the VT River and Roads Training Program.  

Assistant Attorney General David Scherr

Director of Air Operations for the VT National Guard, Colonel Laura Caputo

Coordinator for the Franklin Grand Isle Tobacco Prevention Coalition, Amy Brewer

Cluster 8: Health Science

Clinical blood bank specialist at Littleton Regional Healthcare, David Saikin 

Working at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital  

Nursing administration careers at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital 

Physical therapist assistant Nic Tremblay

Pediatric nurse practitioner at the Children's Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock, Ann Christiano, MS, APRN

Registered nurse and training director at ettain health, Charlotte Smith

Pharmacist Jeff Almgren

Dentist at the University of Vermont Medical Center, Dr. Collin Kwasnik, DDS

Outdoor educator and wilderness medicine instructor with Outward Bound and NOLS, Eric Strickler

Emergency medical services careers with the Director of Operations for Lyndon Rescue, Jillian McLaughlin

Water Resources Program Manager at Tacoma Pierce County Health Department, Christine Cooley

Veterinarian Dr. Dayna Locitzer

Physical therapist at Dan Wyand, PT & Associates, Dan Wheeler

Coordinator for the Franklin Grand Isle Tobacco Prevention Coalition, Amy Brewer

Physician Assistant at Mansfield Orthopaedics, Kristen Glick

Registered apprenticeships (PDF)

Cluster 9: Hospitality and Tourism

Director of sales & marketing at Hotel Tybee, David Thomas

Athletic director at NVU-Johnson, Barbara Lougee

Event planner/professional logistics expert, Abby Crossen

Cluster 10: Human Services

Residential assistant at the Howard Center, Larissa Stride  

Intensive community support worker at the Howard Center and Respite Provider, Shannon Dufour-Martinez 

School social worker Ashley W.

Celebrant and ceremony officiant Martha Dallas 

Library director of the Norwich Public Library, Lucinda Walker 

Athletic director at NVU-Johnson, Barbara Lougee

Clinical social worker/therapist, Allie Forward, LICSW

Yoga teacher Amber Gregory

Development director (fundraiser) for the House of Ruth, Elizabeth Kiker 

Special educator at Browns River Middle School, Robin Clokey

Coordinator for the Franklin Grand Isle Tobacco Prevention Coalition, Amy Brewer

Children & Family Support at NFI-Vermont Tracy Jones

Cluster 11: IT Information Technology

Senior software developer at Alley, Dan Bowles

IT systems and network administrator at Vermont Legal Aid and Legal Services Vermont, Jo Telensky 

Software consultant & CEO of Combo Consulting and former software engineer and product manager at Facebook and Microsoft, Joe Combopiano 

Software engineer at Faraday, Forrest Wallace 

RN and training director at ettain health, Charlotte Smith

Associate director of audience products at Xandr, Mike Newell

Technical sourcing recruiter Erica Combopiano 

Cluster 12: Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security

Firefighter with Castine Fire & Rescue, Lisa Burton

Game warden Jeff Whipple of the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. Learn about the gear a game warden wears, check out a bear trap, and tour their:

Program director at University Beyond Bars, Margaret Burke

Paralegal with Cleary Shahi & Aicher, P.C., Robyn Sweet, CRP

Pilot with the United States Air Force, Second Lieutenant Samantha Waltz 

School resource officer at CVU, Matt Collins

Assistant Attorney General David Scherr

Crime scene investigation — Tour a VSP CSI truck and learn how to process a crime scene.

Registered apprenticeships (PDF)

Cluster 13: Manufacturing

Project manager at BioTek Instruments, Jamie Gravelin, and learn about some of BioTek's imaging products for live cell analysis

Energy educator with VEEP and NHEEP, Kaity White

Product operations manager at Burton Snowboards, Fay Leuck 

Green energy careers  

Light industrial lead machine operator at Hypertherm, Ben Rogers

Light industrial design engineer at Hypertherm, Jeff Ortakales 

Heavy industrial systems team leader at Hypertherm, Beth Horstman 

Registered apprenticeships (PDF)

For additional resources related to careers in manufacturing, check out:

Cluster 14: Marketing, Sales, and Service

Director of sales & marketing at Hotel Tybee, David Thomas

Special events coordinator with VSAC GEAR UP, Anna Telensky 

Business owner, DJ and entertainer at LinCo Entertainment, Corey Gottfried

Career opportunities with Hannaford supermarkets

Owner of Power Play Sports and Waterbury Sports, Caleb Magoon 

Associate director of audience products at Xandr, Mike Newell

Event planner/professional logistics expert, Abby Crossen

Senior graphic designer at Higher Ground, Bobby Hackney

Software consultant & CEO of Combo Consulting and former software engineer and product manager at Facebook and Microsoft, Joe Combopiano 

Recruiter at Google, Trevor Gilmore 

Technical sourcing recruiter Erica Combopiano 

Yoga teacher Amber Gregory

Development director (fundraiser) for the House of Ruth, Elizabeth Kiker 

Product operations manager at Burton Snowboards, Fay Leuck 

Off-grid specialist at Catamount Solar, Chris Sparadeo

Cluster 15: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

Project manager at BioTek Instruments, Jamie Gravelin, and learn about some of BioTek's imaging products for live cell analysis 

Senior evaluation and research analyst at VSAC, Anna Prescott, PhD

Clinical blood bank specialist at Littleton Regional Healthcare, David Saikin 

Structural engineer and professor at Vermont Technical College, Scott Sabol, P.E.

Marine engineer and professor of engineering at Maine Maritime Academy, Laurie Flood 

Civil engineering, Andrea Day, PE and Vice President of Dufresne Group 

Civil engineer, David Nason

Senior software developer at Alley, Dan Bowles

IT systems and network administrator at Vermont Legal Aid and Legal Services Vermont, Jo Telensky 

Software consultant & CEO of Combo Consulting and former software engineer and product manager at Facebook and Microsoft, Joe Combopiano 

Software engineer at Faraday, Forrest Wallace 

Energy engineer & senior program manager at Con Edison Clean Energy Businesses, Leah Milcarek, PE

Science educator at the Fairbanks Museum Career, Bobby Farlice-Rubio 

Energy educator with VEEP and NHEEP, Kaity White

Director of The Climate Consensus and faculty member/chair of the Atmospheric Sciences Department at NVU-Lyndon, Janel Hanrahan, PhD 

Water Resources Program Manager at Tacoma Pierce County Health Department, Christine Cooley 

Registered nurse and training director at ettain health, Charlotte Smith

Pharmacist Jeff Almgren 

Technical writer Katie Ferguson

River management engineer with the VT Department of Environmental Conservation, Todd Menees, PE. Learn about the VT River and Roads Training Program.  

Off-grid specialist at Catamount Solar, Chris Sparadeo

Physical therapist at Dan Wyand, PT & Associates, Dan Wheeler 

Cluster 16: Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics

Working at VTrans 

VTrans Intern Maintenance Worker Program and National Summer Transportation Institute 

Energy educator with VEEP and NHEEP, Kaity White

Automotive technician & owner of Brian's North End Automotive, Brian Moegelin

Pilot with the United States Air Force, Second Lieutenant Samantha Waltz 

Product operations manager at Burton Snowboards, Fay Leuck 

Client services manager at Cartus, Janet Newell 

Director of Air Operations for the VT National Guard, Colonel Laura Caputo

Green energy careers 

We recommend the following resources to continue exploring careers and training requirements. 

Check out hundreds of additional videos in each of the career clusters with a free 30-day trial at Nepris.com.

Click on the button below for a reflection activity that can help you keep track of what you’ve watched and reflect on next steps to move you toward your future career goals. If you’re a student, this can be a resource for your PLP.

Download Career Planning Reflection Activity

The reflection activity can also be used as a Google Docs file. To edit, you'll need to make a copy to your own Google Drive account.

2023 Virtual Event

View the recording from our fall 2023 virtual event, featuring an intro to career exploration from Careers CLiC and a Q&A with panelists in the following fields (each speaker represents one of the four categories of Vermont’s Most Promising Jobs):

  • Computer Science & Software Development
  • Education & Counseling
  • Diesel Power Technology
  • Law Enforcement

Check out answers, from the panelists and moderators, to student questions from the live event.

2022 Virtual Event

View the recording from our fall 2022 virtual event, featuring an intro to career exploration from Careers CLiC and a Q&A with panelists in the following jobs (each speaker represents one of the four categories of Vermont’s Most Promising Jobs):

  • Registered Nurse
  • Intensive Needs Special Educator
  • Craft Manager
  • Senior Investment Operations Manager

Check out answers, from the panelists and moderators, to student questions from the live event.

2021 Virtual Event

View the recording from our fall 2021 virtual event, featuring an intro to career exploration from Careers CLiC and a Q&A with panelists in the following jobs (each speaker represents one of the four categories of Vermont’s Most Promising Jobs):

  • Electrician / Stage Technician
  • Dental Resident 
  • Career and Education Outreach Counselor / Clinical Social Worker / Small Installation Designer
  • Support Representative / Freelance Web Developer / Musician

Check out answers, from the panelists and moderators, to student questions from the live event:

Event Partners

Thank you to our event partners:

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