Chris Gray, Ph.D.
Founding President, Erie County Community College of Pennsylvania
At EC3, we understand that the education our students receive here is only the beginning. Degrees matter, of course, but our mission doesn't end when a student walks across the stage in cap and gown. That moment is only one milestone on a much longer journey.
That's why workforce development is so central to who we are as an institution. It's not an add-on or an afterthought to our mission; rather, it's one of the truest expressions of our commitment to our students and to Erie County more broadly. And it's exactly why we pour so much energy into programs and events that help our students prepare for what comes after their time in the classroom.
Earlier this week, we hosted our First Impressions Workshop, an event that offered our students the chance to think about professionalism and gain confidence in how they introduce themselves to the working world. This workshop highlighted the soft skills and helped serve as a reminder that success isn't just about what you know: it's also about how you show up.
And that brings us to what's next: EC3's upcoming Career Fair, to be held next week on Wednesday, April 16th from 2pm-4pm in our gymnasium at EC3 Erie West.
At this event, our students will have a chance to practice the skills they learned about during the First Impressions Workshop. It's a chance to make real connections with local employers, explore career paths, investigate transfer options, and consider available work opportunities. For our employer partners, it's a chance to meet the future of Erie County's workforce: EC3 students, ambitious people who are motivated and ready to contribute their skills.
Career fairs can sometimes feel a bit transactional, but at EC3, we aim for transformation at these events. Every handshake, every new connection, every exchanged resume, and every question asked across a table represents something bigger. For many of our students, this will literally become the beginning of a new chapter in their lives. It's the moment when theory meets practice and when education meets opportunity.
We are especially proud of how this event reflects the alliances that we have forged with our community partners. Local organizations and businesses have been generous with their time and support since EC3's inception. Years later, they continue to show up. They don't just do this because they need employees; rather, they do this because they believe in the talent that's being nurtured right here in Erie County. That belief is powerful, and it's contagious.
At EC3, we serve veterans returning to civilian careers, first-generation college students forging new paths, returning adults balancing education with full-time jobs and family responsibilities, and young adults seeking to find their life's calling. These are not abstract "job seekers" to us; these folks are our neighbors and our friends. I've said from the beginning that all EC3 students deserve an institution that meets them where they are and helps them get to where they want to be. That's what Career Fairs are ultimately all about for us. Next Wednesday will change some of our students' lives forever!
So whether you're an employer looking to build your team or a student ready to take your next step, I invite you to join us. Because when we prepare our community for the workforce, we prepare it for a stronger, brighter future. And at the end of the day, that's what EC3 is all about.
Our community: your college.
