What is Destination Occupation?

Rachel Knight, Founder of Destination Occupation

Destination Occupation takes a complex problem (making a career choice) and solves it in a concrete way. We create relevant and relatable career exploration videos using “authentic story telling” to educate about and attract people into career paths that are a good fit for them.

Employers featured on our site are able to tell their employees stories and educate people about who they are, what they do and why a career path to their company is desirable.

Educators and job coaches use our videos and resources to help people make better informed career and education choices. Our videos and associated resources connect students and job seekers to education and career planning resources. Teachers can earn Professional Development contact hours towards re-certification simply by learning how to use Destination Occupation.

Everyone is busy and, for that reason, career exploration videos are an efficient use of time.  In under 100 minutes, students and job seekers can visit over a dozen Maine companies and learn about 30 different careers.  The videos feature stories from real Maine people talking about their job and the skills, interests and personalities that make each job a unique fit. Many of our videos feature careers that are in high demand all over Maine. Check out our Career Videos List for a short description of each career featured.

For more information on how Destination Occupation works and can help you, simply scroll down to next section and visit the appropriate page for your needs!  Also, check out this 60 second teacher testimonial! 

Destination Occupation’s Featured Employers

SIGCO, LLC is a glass and metal fabricator located in Westbrook, Maine.

We are always looking for hard working, ambitious people who would like to join our team. We are willing to train you if you are willing to learn. Most positions require the ability to read a tape measure. We offer a competitive wage and benefit package that includes health and dental insurance, life insurance, short term and long term disability insurance, and 401(k) with profit sharing.

BIW is the lead designer and builder of the Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) class of AEGIS destroyers, the most successful Navy new ship construction program of recent decades. These ships are the most technologically advanced surface combatants afloat. Recently BIW delivered the first Zumwalt (DDG 1000) class of destroyers, continuing its tradition of leadership in technology and innovation.

BIW’s continuing success is a result of innovative thinking and a commitment to teamwork.

In BIW’s career videos, you will learn about their rich naval history in mid-coast Maine and the skills they are looking for in their employees.

Hancock Lumber is a family-owned building materials supplier and an Eastern White Pine sawmill manufacturer.
They have ten retail lumberyards, design showrooms and discount outlets, along with 3 sawmills throughout Maine & New Hampshire.

In these career exploration videos, you will learn about skills needed for customer service, sales, and distribution. You will also hear about the importance of mentoring, starting at “the bottom” (even if you have a degree), and finding that right fit career.

Maine Medical Center’s Department of Vocational Services is a leader in the field of employment for people with disabilities. The department, CARF-accredited in Community Employment Services, provides services to individuals with disabilities and also provides technical assistance and training to community rehabilitation agencies, employers and schools.

These Summer Teen Employment Program (STEP) videos give you an understanding of how this program supports and gives transferable skills to individuals ages 15-25 who have a diagnosed disability and a desire to work!

What People Are Saying About Destination Occupation

From the students in the classroom to our clients hoping to hire promising employees, we here at D.O. strive to make this experience the best it can be for everyone. Here’s what folks have to say about us.

Students & Job Seekers

“It helps to see someone doing something they like and enjoy. I have different interests but I do like working hands on. Learning this story shows me I can do what I want.”

Teachers, Guidance Counselors & Job Coaches

“I wanted to let you know how much I have enjoyed checking out Destination Occupation. I have been using your lessons with my 7th and 8th grade JMG students and I love the format of your website/videos. I just finished the third lesson, highlighting the Jøtul employee videos. I love how you show the varying levels of education, skills, and resources ­ all well represented and easily accessible. The career resources are a great tool for providing additional information and direction. For my middle school kids these resources are an effective way to reinforce information presented in the video. For older students and job seeker I can see how the information and resources would be that much more valuable by providing concrete direction. And I love that you note learning styles in the employee profiles! Thanks again for sharing the lessons!”
—Carolyn Collins, Pittsfield, Maine

Employers

Jøtul

Hancock Lumber

“At Hancock Lumber, we are always looking for innovative ways to reach out to our workforce. We believe in attracting motivated people to come work for us. When I learned about Destination Occupation and it’s new, creative way to educate people about jobs in Maine, I knew we should be involved. The video and our company page on the website exceeded our expectations. Any company interested in reaching out to their workforce in a new, creative way should check out Destination Occupation.”
—Kevin Hancock, President Hancock Lumber

Maine Medical Center’s STEP Program

“Maine Medical Center’s Department of Vocational Services has been providing a summer employment program for teens with disabilities for more than 30 years. Last summer Rachel Knight, Principal of Destination Occupation assisted our department in a video which highlighted students and job coaches in our Summer Teen Employment Program. This video has made all the difference in our ability to easily market and explain our program to others. Rachel is an absolute pleasure to work with. She is creative, professional and put our video together in a day and a half. We are thrilled to have the video on our website and have sent it to parents, teachers, rehabilitation providers, potential funders and employers. Hiring Rachel Knight and her team was one of the BEST decisions we made in 2015!! Thank you Rachel!!!!!” – Christine A. McKenzie, Director of Department of Vocational Services