(Photo: Career path by Nick Youngson CC BY-SA 3.0 Pix4free)

Kick off your job search with JCCC’s Career Month

Need help figuring out how to start your job search with your best foot forward? Career Month is Oct. 6 to Nov. 5, featuring many Career Development Events that will help you with just that, readying you to show off your best self. There is plenty to choose from during the month:

Industry Panels

Panels allow you to hear directly from professionals on the steps it took to get into their careers, advice, and some will even help you on your transfer journey. Each event is located in the CoLab and will consist of a 40 minute panel with a 30 minute networking session.

• Healthcare Careers (Transfer Career Panel): Wednesday, Oct. 8, Noon–1:30 p.m.
• Business Careers Panel: Wednesday, Oct. 15, 9–10:30 a.m.
• Arts and Public Service Career Panel: Thursday, Oct. 16, 9–10:30 a.m.
• Engineering and Architecture (Transfer Career Panel): Tuesday, Oct. 21, 12:30-2 p.m.

TECH seminar

If you’re looking into a career in tech, then this is the seminar for you. You will hear from a group of accomplished professionals all across the tech industry who will share their career journeys and offer insight into their fields. You will have the ability to hear stories from professionals, ask in-depth questions, and learn how to prepare yourself for your first role in a tech career.

The seminar is Fri., Oct. 10 and CoLab (OCB 100) from 9 a.m.-Noon. The Industry Professionals Panel is 9 a.m.-10 a.m., Networking with Professionals is from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. and the Career Prep Stations are 11 a.m.-Noon.

Emerging Professionals Program

You can learn more about professional and business skills, hone your interview skills, and become more confident in your communication in the workplace. If you attend four sessions and a Panel of Professionals, you can receive a Certificate of Completion and a padfolio. Each session will be from 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. in RC 270, The Cube.

• Tuesday, Oct. 14: Résumé Writing
• Thursday, Oct. 16: Interviewing
• Tuesday, Oct. 21: Professional Communication
• Thursday, Oct. 23: LinkedIn
• Tuesday, Oct. 28: Networking Experience
• Thursday, Oct. 30: Panel of Professionals

Student Jobs and Internships Fair

If you’re looking for a spring internship, summer internship, or part-time career-related opportunity while still working on your degree, this is a must visit. Studies in numerous programs are encouraged to stop by to visit with employers ready to discuss professional opportunities.

The fair will take place Wednesday, Nov. 5, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in the Student Engagement Atrium (first floor of the Student Center), SC 103.

– Mya Roberts

Get Coffee With A Career Coach

To kick off Career Month, the Career Development Center is hosting Coffee with a Career Coach in the Billington Library on Oct. 6. During the event, career coaches will be by the Stacks cafe in the library to review resumes, and talk about internships and job opportunities.

The Career Development Center is a year-round on-campus resource dedicated to helping students and alumni find jobs and internships. In addition to browsing job listings, they conduct mock interviews and help students build resumes to prepare them for job interviews. There is also a database, JobLinks, that is run through the Career Development Center. It is free to join and available to both students and alumni.

The center also has trained staff to meet with students to discuss college majors, develop education plans, and they offer workshops and personal assessments to find the perfect fit for each individual.

The Career Development Center is open until 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 5 p.m. on Fridays. They are located on the second floor of the Student Center.

– Vivien O’Keefe

How To Choose A College Major

Choosing a college major can feel overwhelming for many high school and community college students who are still exploring their career interests. Student Research Group states that around 80% of students switch their majors at least once, and 10% switch more than once. This speaks to me personally, since I have switched majors twice now. Let’s dive into how to prevent this indecisiveness from happening to you as well.

The University of Kansas has some useful tips, including avoiding burnout by choosing a major that you truly enjoy, considering career possibilities with each major, and exploring your interests. This last one is especially doable at JCCC, because if you plan on earning an associate’s degree before transferring to a four-year college, you have opportunities to take many different types of classes to find out what you enjoy studying. In fact, the AA in Liberal Arts degree here requires 25-26 elective hours of classes that you can take in any subject.

Besides that, you can also try taking this quiz from U.S. News based on your personality and preferences that will give you some ideas. Additionally, JCCC has an amazing Career Development Center (see above) with friendly career coaches who will help you discover your career path that will keep you moving forward with success without any second thoughts.

– Jacob Hajicek

Succeeding With The Student Basic Needs Center

JCCC student assistance stretches from scholarships to homework help. Hardships with bills and food are no exception. The Student Basic Needs Center offers produce, meals and items from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on weekdays. Just bring in your JCCC ID, fill the form and get up to fifteen items once a week. The Student Assistant Fund offers help with cell phone, rent, utilities and more.

Any donations are welcome, both from one-time and recurring monetary amounts, to some commonly needed items posted on the door (such as non-perishables).

– Israel Montantes