Professional Pathways

Choosing a direction can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to have everything figured out to get started. Professional Pathways are designed to help you explore options in a more focused and meaningful way.

All programs and areas of study at MHCC are grouped into six Professional Pathways. Each pathway brings together programs that share similar interests, skills, and career directions, making it easier to see how different options connect.

You are not locked into a pathway. Instead, pathways are a tool to help you narrow your focus, compare options, and discover possibilities you may not have considered.

If you already have a career goal in mind, your pathway can help you move forward with confidence. If you’re still exploring, it’s a great place to start.

Select a Professional Pathway below to begin exploring programs and opportunities.

College and Career Foundations

Start where you are and build toward where you want to go. This pathway is designed for students who are developing foundational skills, exploring career options, or preparing for entry into college programs or the workforce.

In this pathway, you can strengthen skills in areas like reading, writing, math, and English language learning, complete your GED or high school requirements, or get started with career exploration and planning. You may also explore pre-apprenticeship opportunities or courses focused on personal growth, leadership, and life transitions.

This pathway is a great place to begin if you’re not yet sure of your direction or want to build confidence and skills before moving into a degree or certificate program.

Explore opportunities in this pathway →

Business and Public Services Professions

Explore careers that focus on leadership, organization, and service to others. This pathway includes programs related to business, education, social services, and the social sciences, along with areas that support communities and public systems.

Students in this pathway may be interested in fields like business management, accounting, entrepreneurship, education, counseling, criminal justice, or human services. You can also explore disciplines such as psychology, sociology, economics, political science, and history to better understand people, organizations, and society.

Whether you want to enter the workforce, build practical career skills, or transfer to continue your education, this pathway offers a range of options to help you move forward.

Explore programs in this pathway →

Communications and Creative Professions

Turn ideas into expression through writing, media, design, and the arts. This pathway includes programs and disciplines focused on communication, storytelling, and creative production across a variety of formats.

Students in this pathway may be interested in areas like graphic design, photography, video production, journalism, music, theatre, and visual arts, as well as communication-focused fields such as writing, speech, and language studies. You can explore both creative and analytical approaches to how people share information, tell stories, and connect with others.

Whether you want to build technical skills for a creative career, develop strong communication abilities, or transfer to continue your studies, this pathway offers a wide range of ways to explore and express your ideas.

Explore programs in this pathway →

Healthcare and Wellness Professions

Prepare for careers that support the health and well-being of individuals and communities. This pathway includes a wide range of programs in healthcare, medical support, and wellness-related fields.

Students in this pathway may be interested in areas like nursing, medical assisting, dental hygiene, physical therapy, respiratory care, and emergency medical services, as well as roles in medical offices, billing and coding, and health administration. You can also explore options in fitness and health education that promote overall wellness.

Whether you’re interested in direct patient care, behind-the-scenes healthcare support, or building a foundation for further study, this pathway offers multiple entry points into a growing and impactful field.

Explore programs in this pathway →

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Professions

Explore the systems, technologies, and scientific principles that shape our world. This pathway includes programs and disciplines focused on problem-solving, innovation, and understanding how things work - from natural systems to advanced technologies.

Students in this pathway may be interested in areas like computer science, cybersecurity, data and information systems, engineering, mathematics, and the natural sciences such as biology, chemistry, physics, and geology. You can also explore applied fields like engineering technology, game development, fisheries, and natural resources.

Whether you want to transfer and continue your studies or build technical skills for a career in a growing field, this pathway offers a wide range of options that support curiosity, analysis, and innovation.

Explore programs in this pathway →

Skilled Trades Professions

Build practical skills for hands-on, high-demand careers. This pathway includes programs and training in trades, manufacturing, construction, and advanced technologies that focus on real-world application and job readiness.

Students in this pathway may be interested in areas like automotive technology, welding and metals, mechatronics, electrical work, construction trades, and industrial maintenance. Many opportunities include apprenticeships or career-connected training that combine classroom learning with paid, on-the-job experience.

Whether you want to enter the workforce quickly or develop specialized technical skills in a growing industry, this pathway offers clear, direct routes to meaningful careers.

Explore programs in this pathway →

College and Career Foundations (CCF)

Programs and Learning Opportunities

The areas below are designed to help students build foundational skills, explore career options, and prepare for college-level coursework or workforce training. These options support students at different starting points in their educational journey.

Human Development

Human Development courses help students build the skills needed for success in college, careers, and life. Topics may include career exploration, goal setting, time management, decision-making, communication, and personal development.

These courses are a strong starting point for students who are exploring their interests, planning their next steps, or building confidence in navigating college and career pathways.

→ View all Human Development (HD) Courses

Additional Programs and Services

The programs below provide additional support for students preparing for college, building foundational skills, or exploring career pathways. These programs may have specific entry requirements or placement processes.

Not Sure Where to Start?

If you are unsure which option is the best fit for your goals, consider meeting with an advisor. They can help you identify your starting point, explore options, and create a plan to move forward. You might also consider starting with our Exploratory (General) AAOT degree. 

Business and Public Services Professions (BPSP)

Degree and Certificate Programs

The programs below are organized by area of study within this pathway. Select a program to learn more about requirements, or explore related courses to see what you may study in each field.

Business Administration and Management

→ View all Business (BA/BUS) Courses

Early Childhood Education

→ View all Early Childhood Education (ECE) Courses

Education

→ View all Education and Leadership (ED) Courses

Sociology

→ View all Sociology (SOC) Courses

Explore by Subject: Courses

The subjects below include course areas within this pathway that are open to students who are exploring interests, completing general education requirements, building skills, or preparing for transfer.

Some courses may have placement levels, prerequisites, or recommended preparation. Students should review course descriptions and connect with an advisor when planning their schedule.

Not Sure Where to Start?

If you are interested in this pathway but not sure which program or subject fits your goals, consider meeting with an advisor. They can help you compare options, understand requirements, and choose next steps based on your interests and career plans. You might also consider starting with our Exploratory (General) AAOT degree. 

Communications and Creative Professions (CCP)

Degree and Certificate Programs

The programs below are organized by area of study within this pathway. Select a program to learn more about requirements, or explore related courses to see what you may study in each field.

English / Literature

→ View all English / Literature (ENG) Courses

Integrated Media

→ View all Commercial Photography (CP) Courses

→ View all Graphic Design (GD) Courses

→ View all Integrated Media (IM) Courses

→ View all Video Production (VP) Courses

Music

→ View all Music (MUS) Courses

→ View all Music Performance (MUP) Courses

Theatre

→ View all Theatre Arts (TA) Courses

Explore by Subject: Courses

The subjects below include course areas within this pathway that are open to students who are exploring interests, completing general education requirements, building skills, or preparing for transfer.

Some courses may have placement levels, prerequisites, or recommended preparation. Students should review course descriptions and connect with an advisor when planning their schedule.

Not Sure Where to Start?

If you are interested in this pathway but not sure which program or subject fits your goals, consider meeting with an advisor. They can help you compare options, understand requirements, and choose next steps based on your interests and career plans. You might also consider starting with our Exploratory (General) AAOT degree. 

Healthcare and Wellness Professions (HWP)

Degree and Certificate Programs

The programs below are organized by area of study within this pathway. Select a program to learn more about requirements, or explore related courses to see what you may study in each field.

Dental Hygiene

→ View all Dental Hygiene (DH) Courses

Funeral Service Education

→ View all Funeral Service Education (FSE) Courses

Health Exploration

Health and Physical Education

→ View all Health and Physical Education (HE/HPE) Courses

Medical Assistant

→ View all Medical Assistant (MA) Courses

Medical Office

→ View all Medical Office (MO) Courses

Mental Health, Social Service, and Addiction Counseling

→ View all Human Services (HS) Courses

Nursing

→ View all Nursing (NRS) Courses

Physical Therapist Assistant

→ View all Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Courses

Respiratory Care

→ View all Respiratory Care (RT) Courses

Surgical Technology

→ View all Surgical Technology (ST) Courses

Explore by Subject: Courses

Most courses in this pathway are part of specific healthcare programs and may require admission to a program before enrollment. Students interested in healthcare fields are encouraged to review program requirements and connect with an advisor early in their planning process.

The subject area below includes courses that are more broadly available and may be taken to support general education, personal fitness, or career exploration.

Not Sure Where to Start?

If you are interested in this pathway but not sure which program or subject fits your goals, consider meeting with an advisor. They can help you explore healthcare career options, understand program requirements, and plan your next steps. You might also consider starting with our Exploratory (General) AAOT degree. 

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Professions (STEMP)

Degree and Certificate Programs

The programs below are organized by area of study within this pathway. Select a program to learn more about requirements, or explore related courses to see what you may study in each field.

Biology

→ View all Biology and Anatomy (BI) Courses

Computer Information Systems

→ View all Computer Information Systems (CIS) Courses

Computer Science

→ View all Computer Science (CS) Courses

Cybersecurity

→ View all Information Systems and Technology Management (ISTM) Courses

Engineering

→ View all Engineering (ENGR) Courses

→ View all Engineering Technology (ET) Courses

Fisheries Technology

→ View all Fisheries (FI) Courses

Natural Resources Technology

→ View all Fish & Wildlife (FW) Courses

→ View all Forestry (F/FT) Courses

→ View all Natural Resources Technology (NRT) Courses

Explore by Subject: Courses

The subjects below include course areas within this pathway that are open to students who are exploring interests, completing general education requirements, building skills, or preparing for transfer.

Some courses may have placement levels, prerequisites, or recommended preparation. Students should review course descriptions and connect with an advisor when planning their schedule.

Not Sure Where to Start?

If you are interested in this pathway but not sure which program or subject fits your goals, consider meeting with an advisor. They can help you compare options, understand requirements, and choose next steps based on your interests and career plans. You might also consider starting with our Exploratory (General) AAOT degree. 

Skilled Trades Professions (STP)

Degree and Certificate Programs

The programs below are organized by area of study within this pathway. Select a program to learn more about requirements, training structure, and application processes.

Apprenticeship

  • Brick Masons
  • Carpenters
  • Cement Masons
  • Craft Laborers
  • Drywall
  • Electricians
  • Floor Coverers
  • Glass Workers / Glazier
  • Heat and Frost Insulators
  • Iron Workers
  • Painters
  • Plasterers
  • Roofers / Waterproofers
  • Sheet Metal Workers
  • TriMet Mechanics

→ Explore Apprenticeship Programs

Automotive Technology

→ View all Automotive: MCAP, IMPORT, and Subaru-U (AM) Courses

→ View all Automotive: Ford (AMF) Courses

Integrated Metals / Welding Technology

→ View all Integrated Metals Courses

Mechatronics

→ View all Mechatronics Courses

Explore by Subject: Courses

Most courses in this pathway are part of structured career and technical education (CTE) programs or apprenticeship training and are not typically available for general enrollment outside of those programs.

Students interested in skilled trades fields are encouraged to review program requirements and connect with an advisor or program contact to understand application processes and entry requirements.

Not Sure Where to Start?

If you are interested in this pathway but not sure which program fits your goals, consider meeting with an advisor. They can help you explore options, understand program requirements, and plan your next steps. You might also consider starting with our Exploratory (General) AAOT degree.