By Lydia Gober
Director, Career Services & Cooperative Work Experience
As a Collin College student for the first time or multiple semesters, are you hearing the “noise,” as one author called it, from people and places about “How will you make a living?” “What is going to be your college major?” “We can’t support you forever!” or “Where are the jobs of the future?” or “When are you getting your act together?”
Perhaps by taking some “action steps” into the Career Center near you, many of these questions will have answers. Career Services & Cooperative Work Experience offers free career exploration and planning assistance through a variety of methods. Three major steps can open doors to your potential career choices:
1. Stop by or call the Career Center at Preston Ridge, Spring Creek and Central Park campuses, and make an appointment with a Career Counselor/Advisor for an interview.
2. Meet with the Career Counselor and decide next steps, such as career assessments, researching potential careers, checking on academic requirements for areas of interest and others.
3. Follow up to make plans for career paths that seem to fit your profile and passions.
By establishing a “working” relationship with your Career Center staff, you will be able to refine your action plans as you continue on your academic journey. The Career Centers also offer online tools for career research, print materials, and resource lists to help in making choices.
In addition, if you to have an “economic development” need, that is a job while in college, students may use the on- and off-campus job bank (e-Recruiting) on the web by going to the Career Center and establishing an account. If you are considering a work experience for academic credit or are seeking internship options, the Cooperative Work Experience program can help.
Among the lists of courses within the Collin College catalog we find many ideas for career direction. Although “Careers 101” is not listed there, we do have a department with a professional staff eager to assist students and community members through a set of action steps to take in career decision-making.
Career Centers are located at PRC in Founder’s Hall, F109A; SCC in G103; and CPC in A108. Take advantage of these free services. Best of success, students, in the fall semester!
