Your Next Step:
Transfer & Workforce
Resources
Whether you plan to transfer to a four-year institution or enter the workforce after completing your credential, tnAchieves has resources to help you prepare for what comes next. Choose the path that best fits your current plan.
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Transfer Pathway
For students planning to earn a bachelor’s degree after graduating from a community college
Topics: choosing a transfer school, admissions requirements, associate degree completion, transfer scholarships, housing, tuition and financial aid
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Workforce Pathway
For students planning to directly enter the workforce after graduation
Topics: job search, resumes, interviews, salary research, cost of living, workplace expectations, job shadowing
Transfer
Resources
Transferring to a 4-year institution is an exciting step toward completing your bachelor’s degree and reaching your career goals. tnAchieves offers a variety of tools designed to guide you through each stage of transferring, from researching schools to finalizing your application and securing financial aid.
tnAchieves’ Transfer Checklist is a resource that provides a high-level overview of the transfer process. Click here to download the transfer checklist!
In each of the sections below, you’ll find additional information and resources to help you navigate each step on the checklist. Explore the sections below to learn more!
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Earn your bachelor’s degree!
After graduating with an associate degree, it will only take about two more years after you transfer to earn your bachelor’s degree. Per Northeastern University, of the 11.6 million jobs created since 2010, over 8.4 million jobs have gone to bachelor’s degree holders.
Select from a more comprehensive list of majors!
Many 4-year institutions offer a wider variety of majors, concentrations, and specialized programs that may more closely align with your interests and long-term career goals.
Earn more money!
Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, individuals with a bachelor’s degree typically earn $23,000 more a year compared to individuals with an associate degree.
Meet new people and expand your perspective!
By attending a 4-year institution, you have the opportunity to continue to increase your social and cultural experiences on a broader level. The National Student Clearing House Research Center reports that 60% more students were enrolled at a 4-year public university compared to a public 2-year college the spring 2025 semester.
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Doing your research and making a plan can help simplify the transfer process. The items in this section help students take a proactive approach to important steps like identifying a major/career path, discussing transfer with their current Academic Advisor, and researching potential transfer concerns. Below each item, you will find resources and tools to guide you along the way!
Explore potential career paths and research the current outlook of your field.
Speak with your advisor each semester to ensure that you are staying on track.
Monitor your GPA and familiarize yourself with the admission/scholarship requirements for the colleges that you are considering.
Determine the factors that are most important to you and research each college on your list with those priorities in mind.
Think ahead about the cost of transfer and how your financial aid might look.
Make a plan to ensure that you are completing each piece before the deadline.
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To help you navigate the transfer process, tnAchieves has created guides for some of the 4-year institutions in Tennessee! Each tnAchieves transfer timeline contains a link to the institution’s admissions application, scholarship information, contact information, and more. While this is a helpful starting point, it is crucial that students communicate directly with their 4-year institution and check their student email/portal for updates. If you have any questions or if your intended transfer institution is not listed, reach out to your tnAchieves COMPLETE coach for help!
Apply for admission to all 4-year schools that interest you. Visit your transfer institution’s transfer timeline to find the application and deadline to apply.
Submit an unofficial transcript from your community college to your intended 4-year university. A high school transcript may also be required for admission.
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APPLYING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AID
While affordability can be a challenge as you navigate the college transfer process, it does not have to keep you from transferring to the college/university of your dreams! Filing the FAFSA early each year (by February 1) is an important first step to determine your eligibility for certain forms of financial aid, like the HOPE scholarship or Pell grant. tnAchieves is also here to help you identify additional scholarship opportunities, like institutional scholarships and external scholarships.
INSTITUTIONAL SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Institutional scholarships are scholarships that are offered to students directly through their 4-year institution. tnAchieves' Transfer Timelines are a great place to learn more about institutional scholarships available to transfer students at many institutions in Tennessee! Once you find the Transfer Timeline for your 4-year, scroll to the very bottom for scholarship information. If you plan to transfer to an out-of-state or international 4-year institution, please reach out for help identifying institutional scholarship opportunities. Please note, at many institutions, students cannot apply for institutional scholarships until they have been admitted!
EXTERNAL SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
In addition to the federal/state aid you could qualify for based on your FAFSA and the institutional aid you could qualify for through your 4-year institution, you can also apply for external scholarships! External scholarships are funds offered by community organizations, businesses, non-profits, and others.
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Once you have been admitted and applied for scholarships, it is time to complete your enrollment at your transfer institution. This means signing up for classes, ensuring your bill is taken care of, and completing any other steps specific to your plans or institution. Depending on your plans and institution, processes and requirements will vary! Stay in close communication with your 4-year institution and check your new student portal/email regularly to ensure you do not miss an important step.
Submit official transcript from your community college to your intended 4-year school.
Submit all documents for admission and financial aid to your intended 4-year school.
Review admission decisions and financial aid award packages.
Accept desired financial aid offers and confirm enrollment.
Update your THEC student portal to reflect your transfer institution (if transferring to an in-state institution)
Once admitted, sign up for orientation at your 4-year school (if applicable).
Register for classes with your advisor at your 4-year school.
Workforce
Resources
Entering the workforce is an exciting step toward launching your career and putting your skills into action. tnAchieves offers a variety of tools designed to guide you through each stage of preparing for employment. Our resources can help you with anything from exploring career paths to building a strong résumé, job shadowing and applying for jobs. The tnAchieves Workforce Readiness Checklist provides a high‑level overview of the steps involved in preparing for your career after community college or technical school.
In each of the sections below, you’ll find additional information and resources to help you navigate every step on the checklist.
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Start your career now!
By entering the workforce after earning your associate degree or technical certificate, you can begin building hands-on experience right away. Many employers value practical skills, reliability and real‑world problem‑solving, which are qualities you have already developed through your education and previous job experience.
Earn money sooner!
Starting work immediately allows you to begin earning a steady income, gaining financial independence and building long‑term stability. Many fields offer competitive starting wages and clear pathways for growth.
Build your network and expand your perspective!
Joining the workforce connects you with coworkers, supervisors, mentors and industry professionals who can support your career development. These relationships can open doors to new opportunities, broaden your understanding of different workplaces and help you grow both personally and professionally.
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If you plan to enter the workforce after earning your associate degree, tnAchieves can help you take those next steps with confidence. Our dedicated team of COMPLETE Coaches is here to support you as you transition from college to your career. To guide you through the process, we’ve outlined a general timeline that shows what preparing for the workforce typically looks like—from exploring career options to starting your first job.
Another helpful tool for your career search is the Career Interest Profiler. This tool can help you navigate which careers would fit you best and help you see the steps you need to take to start a career in those fields.
Talking with both your academic advisor and your tnAchieves COMPLETE Coach is an important part of preparing for the workforce. Your advisor can help you understand how your classes, skills, and experiences connect to different career paths. Career services at your institution can also help you build application materials and plan your next steps. Regular check‑ins ensure you stay on track and feel confident as you move toward starting your career.
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Job shadowing is one of the most valuable ways to explore potential careers, and tnAchieves makes it easy by hosting job shadowing events throughout the year. These experiences allow you to spend time in a real workplace, observe professionals in action, and get a firsthand look at what a typical day in a career actually looks like. Whether you’re still deciding on a path or want to confirm a field you’re already interested in, job shadowing helps you make informed choices and build confidence in your next steps.
Workforce mentors are another great way to get connected to your future career field! Mentors offer real‑world insight into their industry, helping you understand what day‑to‑day work looks like and what skills employers value most. They can also help you get connected with other people in the industry!
Utilize tnAchieves’ Career Exploration Guides to find additional job shadowing, internship, volunteer, and other opportunities that help students build career skills and relationships. Additional guides coming soon!
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When applying for jobs, your application materials help employers understand your skills, experience, and goals. Use the resources below to create or improve your resume and cover letter, prepare for interviews, and feel more confident during your job search.
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