A Student Perspective Inside CFCC Career Services

Originally from Kernersville, North Carolina, Lauren Melton knew she wanted to attend college somewhere coastal.

“The location was the main thing for me,” she said. “I really wanted to be near the beach.”

When she began seriously considering schools, Cape Fear Community College stood out. Lauren enrolled at CFCC to pursue an Associate in Arts degree and is now planning to transfer to UNCW next fall, where she hopes to major in business marketing.

Working Inside Career Services

During her first semester, Lauren began working as a work-study student in CFCC’s Career Services department.

“My aunt actually brought up work-study with me because she works at High Point University, so she knew about the opportunity,” Lauren said.

Like many CFCC students, Lauren participates in a work-study position, which allows students to gain on-campus experience while earning money. To qualify for work-study, students first need to complete the FAFSA, which helps determine eligibility for financial aid and other opportunities.

In the Career Services office, Lauren spends time in Handshake, the platform students use to find jobs and internships. She also helps share Career Services updates on the student feed, posting about events and reminders she knows students might need to see more than once.

From her seat in the office, Lauren gets to see how students really use Career Services. She watches classmates stop in with questions about resumes, ask about jobs, or prepare for interviews. She hears conversations about career paths that are still taking shape and what students want to do after graduation.

Being both a student and a work study gives her a unique perspective. She understands the hesitation some students feel when they walk in and how those conversations can shift once they do.

Standing Out in a Competitive Role

Lauren’s supervisor, Gina Mecca, Director of Career Services, said Lauren stood out early in the interview process. “This is a popular work-study position,” Mecca said. “We interviewed several candidates, and Lauren just really stood out in terms of her determination, goals, and the skills she brings. She’s really taken the initiative to understand what Career Services does.”

That initiative has led Lauren into more hands-on experiences, including assisting with employer outreach in Handshake and helping plan this semester’s career fairs.

Mecca said the role has also allowed Lauren to explore her interest in marketing. “I wanted her to get a feel for what that marketing world looks like,” she said. “Her written communication skills are beautiful.”

As Lauren looks ahead to transferring to UNCW, her time at CFCC has helped her feel more confident navigating both school and work.

“I like how comfortable it feels here,” Lauren said. “The classes are smaller, and it’s helped me feel more confident about what I want to do next.”

Career Services Events This Semester

Career Services hosts several events each semester to help students explore careers, connect with employers, and build professional skills. This spring, upcoming career fairs include:

Health Science Career Fair
February 17, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Daniels’ Hall, fifth floor of Union Station

Construction Industry and Apprenticeship Career Fair
March 12, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
BB&T Room, North Campus

Part-Time and Flexible Jobs Career Fair
March 25, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
L Building, Ground Floor, Downtown Campus

In addition to career fairs, Career Services is offering a series of career prep workshops and financial literacy workshops throughout the semester.

For a complete list of events and resources, visit cfcc.edu/career-services.