Jop+Guidence

**__Center for Student Counseling and Career Guidance (CSCCG) __**
 * __Counseling and Career Guidance __**

The CSCCG provides assistance to students with many concerns, ranging from stress, anxiety, depression, eating concerns, low self-esteem, difficulties in managing time or work, test anxiety or other academic difficulties, to assistance in matching personal interests and abilities with careers and preparation for working in a business setting for the first semester of the integrated project (BUS/ICT 219a).

Many students come with concerns that need only one or two sessions. Others need more time. The Center’s purpose is to help students succeed in their studies and build productive and satisfying lives and careers.


 * 1. Student Counseling **

The Center is staffed with a full-time Coordinator with a master’s degree in counseling: the Coordinator and staff provide individual and group counseling for students and a variety of group sessions and workshops. The focus of the Center is on helping students to succeed academically. Students may make an appointment by phone or by stopping by the office, or may drop by for a session if a counselor is available.

a. Individual Counseling The Center provides short-term individual counseling, typically no more than eight (8) sessions per academic year. In these sessions, student and counselor work together to resolve the student’s concerns and goals.

b. Workshops and Support Groups Each semester, The Center offers a schedule of workshops and support groups on topics such as study skills, conflict management, taking tests, managing time, etc. Support groups are offered as needed. Support groups offer a safe place to talk with others who are experiencing similar difficulties; they can help the student to feel supported and understood.

c. Personal Resource Center The Center hosts a Personal Resource Center with a library of books, brochures and videos on self-help. d. Referral to Community Services Upon request, the Center will assist student and parent in referring a student to community services, if the student needs services that are beyond the resources of the Center to provide. Referral is voluntary and requires the student’s or parent’s or guardian’s written approval.

d. Referral to Community Services Upon request, The Center will assist student and parent in referring a student to community services, if the student needs services that are beyond the resources of the Center to provide. Referral is voluntary and requires the student’s or parent’s or guardian’s written approval.

The Center provides many opportunities for career preparation, ranging from individual guidance counseling and group workshops to placement in business settings for on-site observation and problem solving. The Center assists students in making informed choices to achieve productive and fulfilling careers and assists graduates with job placement.
 * 2. Career Guidance **

a. Career Workshops Each semester, the Center offers interactive workshops covering topics such as career decision-making, job search strategies, resume writing, networking, job interview skills, and employer expectations.

b. Career Resource Center The Center hosts a Career Resource Center with a library of career related books, articles, magazines, and employer information. The Center also offers computer software programs to assist students in making career choices and researching specific firms or offices. The Coordinator and staff counsel students on writing cover letters and business resumes, understanding appropriate work behavior and employer expectations, practicing for job interviews, and matching majors and careers. In addition, employment listings received from employers in the private and public sectors are posted to inform students of current positions available.

c. Integrated Project As part of the two-year degree program, each student must satisfactorily complete an integrated project consisting of one semester of observation in an appropriate business setting (third semester) and a follow-up semester capstone project (fourth semester), in which the student defines a problem confronting a business and then proposes a practical solution to the problem. Prior to the start of the student’s third semester of full-time study, the student is expected to participate in a non-credit workshop on workplace expectations and behavior (timeliness, etc.), offered by a qualified counselor from the Center for Student Counseling and Career Guidance. This requirement is in addition to the normal requirement of academic advising, which is conducted in the major by faculty. Before deciding on an integrated project, the student is expected to (1) meet with the student’s academic advisor to agree on a project (requires the advisor’s prior approval) and, (2) determine an appropriate business placement. The Center assists the faculty members in recruiting potential employers and job sites.

Students may make an appointment by phone or by stopping by the office, or may drop by for a session if a counselor is available. Students may request the Center’s assistance in finding suitable employment following graduation. There is a job placement specialist in the Center who maintains contact with business and government to assist graduates in finding work. Career Day On Career Day, employers come on campus to meet with prospective job applicants and discuss the career opportunities in their respective businesses and agencies. On
 * 3. Job Placement **


 * Career Day, ** the Center also hosts workshops on topics such as career planning and interview techniques.

The Center offers a variety of computer-based tests to assist students in matching their interests and abilities to prospective careers. Tests such as the Myers-Briggs provide students with an understanding of their learning styles, career and life goals, etc., and assist the Center’s personnel in counseling students. Once a student has taken any of these examinations, Center staff meets with the student in an individual counseling session to discuss the results. Students may make an appointment by phone or by stopping by the office, or may drop by for a session if a counselor is available. 
 * 4. Testing Services **

Counseling records are confidential and are not part of the student’s official college records. Unless compelled by law, or upon written authorization of the student or student’s parent or guardian, the Center does not disclose confidential contents of student records to any outside party.
 * 5. Confidentiality of Counseling Records **

New students are required to attend Orientation, which is scheduled the week before instruction begins every semester. New student orientation includes testing for placement in English (for those students who have not submitted official TOEFL scores). At orientation, all students will be assigned an academic advisor, who will guide them through their degree program. The orientation program culminates in registration for the courses that students will take for their first semester.
 * 6. New Student Orientation **

But, new student orientation is more that just testing and registration. It is a chance to meet fellow students, to learn what is expected of students in their classes, what is expected of students for graduation, to learn the College policies and procedures, and to get hands-on practice in using the library and information technology resources. It is an opportunity for students to experience the FC community.