Explore Careers, Find a Job, & learn about job growth in Whatcom/Skagit County
In-Demand Career Training/College Programs
Explore Careers
Bellingham Technical College’s Career Coach
This free and local resource can help you discover majors and in-demand careers and education based on your interests!
Career One Stop
“Find career, training, and job search resources just for you.” You can search by zip code, find local in-demand careers, and see the associated wages. We recommend making an account to explore jobs you’re interested in, identify your top careers, and organize all your results in one spot.
CareerOneStop GetMyFuture Portal
Career Pathways Guidebook
“This culturally-relevant guide was created to help Native students prepare for, and successfully navigate, the diverse landscape of job opportunities and sectors of work. Including contributions from Native graduates, professionals and artists, Career Pathways explores best practices and opportunities in and familiar and accessible way.”
https://collegefund.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Career-Pathways-FINAL-web.pdf
College majors and careers
“What do actuaries or archaeologists really do? What sorts of opportunities will there be in the future for architects or art directors? Imagine yourself in different roles as you explore Major and Career Search. You can find information on more than 300 careers here, which range from air traffic controller to wildlife technician (https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-started/know-yourself/5-ways-to-find-career-ideas).”
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/majors-careers
Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce:
“Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy provides this website allowing students and their families to explore national and state salary data, searchable by degree level and major. Additionally, students can explore up-to-date data on the majors needed to enter a variety of career fields, ranging from agriculture to the social sciences.”
https://cew.georgetown.edu/earnings/
Get Schooled
The #1 job search tool for young people.
Internship opportunities
Gain work experience to kickstart your career.
Internships – Internship Search and Intern Jobs | Chegg Internships
Occupational Handbook
Search jobs by type, median pay, entry-level education, on-the-job training, number of new jobs, and projected growth rates.
O*Net
“O*NET OnLine has detailed descriptions of the world of work for use by job seekers, workforce development and HR professionals, students, developers, researchers, and more!
Find, search, or browse across 900+ occupations based on your goals and needs. Then use comprehensive reports to learn about requirements, characteristics, and available opportunities for your selected occupation.
Take advantage of the customized OnLine Help feature available throughout the site. Or, use the available Desk Aid.”
Reality Check Calculator
Want to match your pathway to a particular lifestyle? This quick and easy tool helps you do the math to make sure your career sector supports your dreams outside of work.
https://www.educationquest.org/myeducationquest/reality-check/
Want to search living wage job opportunities in Whatcom or Skagit County?
Search the demand/decline list to help research local careers and training opportunities that will lead to family wage jobs:
Would you like help finding work?
Whether you need a job while you attend school or are ready to join the workforce full time, these local resources that are here to help!
Express Employment Professionals
“To help as many people as possible find good jobs by helping as many clients as possible find good people.”
4152 Meridian Street
Suite 201
Bellingham, Washington 98226
(360) 734-2457
https://www.expresspros.com/bellingham/job-openings.aspx
Goodwill: Skagit JOB TRAINING & EDUCATION CENTER
242 East College Way
Mount Vernon, WA 98273 | (360) 848-6468
Hours: Monday- Thursday, 9 am to 4 pm
Friday by appointment
Class Schedules: https://evergreengoodwill.org/job-training-and-education/training-center-locations/mount-vernon-job-training-and-education-center
Jobseeker resources: https://seattlegoodwill.org/blog/category/33-job-seeker-resources
Goodwill: The Whatcom JOB TRAINING & EDUCATION CENTER
1115 E Sunset Dr.
Bellingham, WA 98226 | (360) 738-0483
Hours: Monday - Thursday 10 am to 4 pm,
Friday by appointment
Class schedules: https://seattlegoodwill.org/job-training-and-education/training-center-locations/bellingham-job-training-and-education-center
Jobseeker resources: https://seattlegoodwill.org/blog/category/33-job-seeker-resources
Northwest Youth Services
Northwest Youth Services aids young adults both under and over the age of 18. They will assist you with writing your resumes/ cover letters, improving your interview skills, and best of all- finding and applying to hiring companies.
108 Prospect Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 734-9862
https://www.nwys.org/job-school-help
Northwest Workforce Council | Job Seeker and Business Services
“We provide free customized job search, coaching, career planning, and training services that help individuals find a job or advance in their careers.”
Contact: info@nwc-connect.org
Lummi Employment and Training (SYETP) WIOA Youth
The youth program serves eligible low-income youth, ages 14-24, who face barriers toward employment. Service strategies, developed by workforce providers, prepare youth for employment and/or post-secondary education through strong linkages between academic and occupational learning.
Employment and Training Center
2665 Kwina Rd, Bellingham WA. 98226
(360) 312-2072
YES Whatcom
Youth Employment Services: “Bridging the gap between employers and the workforce of the future.”
“The YES Whatcom awareness campaign, and this website, create space for families, educators, businesses and policymakers to align with a common goal: To connect youth with local careers while also contributing to the local economy in positive ways.”
WorkSource
Employment and training services for job seekers and employers in Washington.
101 Prospect Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
360-676-1521
A calendar of support services showcasing events can be found by clicking the green link.
Indeed Job search engine
Indeed is one of the most popular job search engines. You only have to upload your resume once and it will match you with jobs you’re likely qualified for. You can also use it to search up and review companies as well as compare salaries.
Job Growth in Whatcom/Skagit County
According to the 2020-2024 Northwest Workforce Council’s regional workforce plan “Key industry sectors in the region remain: Advanced Manufacturing, Health and Allied Services and Construction. (The cluster analysis below includes multiple factors: (1) regional employment data, (2) regional measure of wages for core industries, and (3) location quotient.) Other factors taken into consideration in determining the key industry sectors include growth potential, career ladder and career path opportunities, qualitative validation, and local training capacity to meet the skill needs of regional employers (http://www.nwboard.org/goals/plan.html).” Below you will find charts from this report that help illustrate these trends along with data on required education for entering those sectors. To read the report in it’s entirety click here: https://nwboard.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/NWC_Regional_Workforce_Plan_2020_DRAFT_FNL.pdf
Skills/education/training needed for key industry sector in-demand jobs.
http://www.nwboard.org/goals/plan.html
