The Career and Counseling Center, located in Takena Hall, has many things to offer, such as: career information services, counseling services, personal growth classes, employment services for employers, cooperative work experience (CWE), service-learning and benefits for students.
According to Mark Weiss, a career counselor of 22 years at LBCC, anyone can come to them. The most common visitors are the brand new students that need help with academic planning, career assistance and goal setting.
The career counselors are here to "help them make sense of it all", says Weiss. However, they are here to help anyone who is undecided in their major or is making a transition of some kind.
The career counselors are here to "help them make sense of it all", says Weiss. However, they are here to help anyone who is undecided in their major or is making a transition of some kind.
LBCC is currently putting together a "career discovering group", which will consist of about 20 students. First, the students will meet individually, then with a group to work on creating an education plan.
The academic counselors research work with the career counselors to help the student narrow down their options.
Students are given career tests by the academic counselors to determine their interests, skills and values. These are then used help match them to careers that would interest them as an individual. The career counselor then meets with the student to explore and "help siphon out choices", says Weiss.
Students are given career tests by the academic counselors to determine their interests, skills and values. These are then used help match them to careers that would interest them as an individual. The career counselor then meets with the student to explore and "help siphon out choices", says Weiss.
Choosing a career is the second most important, intense and emotional decision a person has to do in life, the first being decisions regarding family/life partner. "People come into college with nearly no training on where to even begin in choosing a career path", according to Weiss.
Where to start? The First Stop Career Center, also located in Takena Hall, is the starting point, from there an appointment is made and the process begins. The career counselor starts by trying to clear any barriers to clarify, program of study issues and college procedures. Then, they will advise the student on what to do next.
Dory Timmons, 30, undecided LBCC student, was helped by Carla Raymond, a career counselor here at LBCC, to find a job on campus. Timmons was advised about what steps to take and Raymond e-mailed her job opportunities and worked closely with Timmons' financial aid adviser.
Career counselors will also help students with a crisis or personal problem, but typically this is not the area a career counselor would focus on and would only meet for these types of issues a few times. However, students are recommended to meet with a career counselor every term to keep them on track, if needed.
Timmons started working with Raymond in June and has been in constant contact ever since. Timmons was referred to Raymond by her financial aid adviser, after she was chosen for the Federal Work Study Grant, then Raymond began to e-mail her job referrals and met with her once school started.
According to Timmons, "you can't get a job for the grant through work study until you work with a career counselor first".
At a glance:
What: This story is about reasons students should consider meeting with a career counselor and the different services they have to offer.
Who: LBCC career counselors and students.
What: Career and counseling services available at the First Stop Career Center in Takena Hall.
Where: First Stop Career Center located in Takena Hall
When: Before every term.
Why: To inform students about the services the career center has to offer.
Links:
According to Timmons, "you can't get a job for the grant through work study until you work with a career counselor first".
At a glance:
What: This story is about reasons students should consider meeting with a career counselor and the different services they have to offer.
Who: LBCC career counselors and students.
What: Career and counseling services available at the First Stop Career Center in Takena Hall.
Where: First Stop Career Center located in Takena Hall
When: Before every term.
Why: To inform students about the services the career center has to offer.
Links:
