Career Pathways Program
The Career Pathways Program supports SEIU Local 500 unit members to identify career goals and obtain training and direction to achieve those goals. The Career Pathways Program offers opportunities for employees to improve their knowledge and skills in content areas that will enable them to achieve their career goals, with programs and processes in place to support those objectives.
Career Pathways has Moved!
Effective July 1, 2024, the Career Pathways Program has moved from the Department of Human Capital Management (DHCM) in the Office of Human Resources and Development (OHRD), to our new home in the Department of Districtwide Professional Learning in the Office of Strategic Initiatives (OSI).
Career Pathways Program Charter and FY24 Data
Click the link below to read about the history and milestones of the Career Pathways Program as well as data on who we serve.
The Office of Strategic Initiatives (OSI) leads innovation across all offices to ensure effective, antiracist, and equitable outcomes for students, staff, and families. Career Pathways Program, in the Department of Districtwide Professional Learning, works to facilitate the development of an organizational culture grounded in excellence, antiracism, equity and inclusion, and to reimagine and coordinate professional learning based on current research and best practices. Career Pathways Program’s mission is dedicated to developing and supporting pathways that promote continuous professional development, enhance instructional and leadership practices, and drive systemic change to ensure every student, staff member, and family experiences equitable and impactful educational outcomes.
- Increase awareness of, and engagement with, the MCPS Career Pathways Program, to make employees aware of existing services and resources to help them in their professional growth.
- Increase employee retention through initiatives designed to increase employee engagement and satisfaction.
- Provide enhanced leadership training and opportunities for supporting services employees to prepare future leaders of MCPS.
- Promote a culture of learning and development, to compete with other businesses and reinforce MCPS as a premier employer in Montgomery County, MD.
The Career Pathways Team manages the SEIU mentoring program for supporting services employees. Our mentors represent many different SEIU chapters and have a variety of expertise to share with employees.
To learn more about mentors, including how to connect with a mentor, check out the Mentoring Program webpage below.
Support
Do you have a question about career opportunities in MCPS? Or do you want to schedule a consultation?
Fill out our Intake Form and tell us how we can help!
Team
Nathalie Bourdereau - Career Pathways Program Manager
Heather Harman - Career Pathways Program Specialist
Ambassador Program
The Career Pathways Ambassador Program is dedicated to providing support to employees across the organization. Each ambassador uses their unique skills and experience to provide support to employees at their work site and beyond. To learn more about the ambassadors and the work they are doing, visit the new Ambassador Program webpage!
Career Pathways Ambassador Program
This page can also be found in the left column, under Career Pathways Program - Quick Links
Missed the application deadline? Complete this form to be added to a waitlist for future cohorts. Note: Completing this form does not guarantee a spot in future cohorts. Interested individuals will receive communication about how to apply when the application is re-opened.
Leadership Development
Career Pathways Leadership Development Program
The Career Pathways Program for supporting services employees offers staff a year-long leadership development program to develop the skills and competencies necessary to be effective leaders in Montgomery County Public Schools.
Missed the application deadline? Complete this form to be added to a waitlist for future cohorts. Note: Completing this form does not guarantee a spot in future cohorts. Interested individuals will receive communication about how to apply when the application is re-opened.
Higher Education Partnerships
The Career Pathways Program collaborates with Higher Education Partnerships to increase supporting services employees’ participation in teacher prep programs.
Please visit the Higher Education Partnership’s website for more information. Please see below for upcoming information sessions. For complete details and to sign up, log into PDO.
Upcoming Partnership Information Sessions
Montgomery College Culturally Responsive Educators Aspiring for Teaching Excellence (CREATE)
This program is for individuals who are pursuing an associate of arts in teaching (AAT) degree.
10/17/2024 4:30 PM PDO Course #89298
Towson University M.Ed. in Special Education
This program is for individuals who are pursuing teacher certification in special education in one of three areas:
- Early Childhood Education (birth-grade 3)
- Elementary/Middle Education (grades 1-8)
- Secondary Education (grades 9-12
11/12/2024 5:00 PM PDO Course #87656
Johns Hopkins University Master's Degree in Special Education (SET-IT)
This partnership is for individuals who are pursuing initial teacher certification in special education in the following areas:
- Grades 1-8
- Grade 6 - Adult
10/30/2024 5:00 PM PDO Course #87107
How to Become a Teacher Webinar
This video is a recording of the How to Become a Teacher in MCPS webinar.
Training Opportunities from Career Pathways
The Career Pathways Program offers training centered around personal and professional development to help employees attain their career goals. See below for training that will be offered this year by Career Pathways.
Training from Career Pathways
Grow Your Career in MCPS
October 18, 2024, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
This course provides an overview of Career Pathway's services to guide you on your career journey. Activities include exploring training opportunities in MCPS and long-range career planning.
PDO Course# 92883
Introduction to Spanish for Front Office Staff
October 18, 2024, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
This course provides an overview of Career Pathway's services to guide you on your career journey. Activities include exploring training opportunities in MCPS and long-range career planning.
PDO Course# 91980
Resume Writing
October 18, 2024, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, Virtual
This course provides an overview of Career Pathway's services to guide you on your career journey. Activities include exploring training opportunities in MCPS and long-range career planning.
PDO Course# 91979
Other Training Opportunities
The Supporting Services Professional Growth System provides year-round comprehensive professional development opportunities that support the continuous growth of a skilled and effective workforce. Please see the Supporting Services Training and Development site for more details. Please see below for a snapshot of upcoming training sessions. For complete details and to sign up, log into PDO.
Autism, ADHD, and More: Understanding Neurodiversity for Supporting Services Staff
Multiple sections available; Virtual
- October 18, 2024 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM
- December 11, 2024 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
This course will provide a brief introduction to neurodiversity and some of the common disorders. You will receive an overview of the disorders and consider strategies for supporting neurodiverse students in our various roles in the school system. We will consider ways to respond and build relationships with students who have developmental, behavioral, and emotional disabilities. In addition, this session will support the development of four of the Supporting Services Core Competencies: Commitment to Students, Knowledge of Job, Interpersonal, and Communication.
PDO Course# 91478
Advanced Excel
Multiple sections available; Virtual
- October 22, 2024 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM
- December 17, 2024 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Building upon the foundational knowledge gained in Introductory Excel, Intermediate Excel, and Charting Data courses, participants will embark on a comprehensive journey into Advanced Excel techniques and tools. Throughout this hands-on course, students will delve deep into the intricacies of Excel, mastering conditional formatting to powerful lookup functions such as HLookup, Index Match, and What-If Analysis. Participants will also explore the realm of creating and executing Macros. Additionally, a more in-depth exploration of Pivot Tables, allowing participants to craft Dashboards, transforming raw data into visually compelling and interactive presentations.
PDO Course# 92763