CareerPath, JCC's web-based career exploration program, has received "Innovation of the Year" status from the League for Innovation in the Community College.
Created in 1968, the league is the only major international organization specifically committed to improving community colleges through innovation, experimentation, and institutional transformation. Each year the league honors outstanding innovations which represent capstone achievements and the continuing renewal of the spirit of innovation and experimentation upon which the league was founded.

In considering projects for "Innovation of the Year" status, the league reviews nominations for quality, cost effectiveness, timeliness, efficiency, creativity, and the ability of the project to be replicated elsewhere within colleges and universities.

"This recognition is a point of pride for the college and the communities we serve," said Gregory T. DeCinque, president of JCC. "JCC has been at the forefront of the community college movement since 1950 when it became the first community college included in the State University of New York. Nearly 60 years later, JCC continues to be a standout among community colleges. This recognition is another indication of the exceptional quality JCC provides in a higher education experience."

Recognized by the league for CareerPath were Nelson J. Garifi, JCC's executive director of marketing who created and guided the project, and Colette Haight, career counselor in JCC's Counseling and Career Development Center who conducted the research for the program, organized the data, and maintains the site. CareerPath's graphic design was created by Cathy Abers Kimball of 2nd Look Graphic Design.

CareerPath provides detailed information on preparing for over 100 of the most popular careers. Visit the CareerPath pages for details.

"We see career exploration among our responsibilities at JCC," said Ms. Haight. "While there are many fine career exploration tools available on the web, JCC's CareerPath organizes those tools on a single site and includes special features as well." Information available at CareerPath for each career includes: a general description of the career, including common tasks; required education, training, and certification; employment outlook through 2014 as projected by the United States Department of Labor; income potential; and professional organizations associated with the career.

CareerPath also provides links to JCC's academic programs and transfer articulation agreements. "This site makes it very clear that the paths to so many careers pass through the doors of JCC," Garifi said. "For example, if you want to become a teacher or a pharmacist, you'll find links to JCC's specific degree programs as well as to the specific transfer agreements JCC maintains with upper-division colleges and universities. You'll see profiles of JCC alumni whose educational paths began at JCC and led them to become attorneys, physicians, and much more."