FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Who benefits from career development services?
EVERYONE!
- Recent high school graduates, non-grads, high school students, and other young adults
- Students who are changing or are undecided on their college major
- Job seekers needing résumé and interview preparation
- Adult learners involved in a variety of life transitions
- Career changers, re-entry adults, single parents, or experiencing life transition
- Non-traditional students entering a field dominated by the opposite sex
- Disadvantaged and minority individuals
- Economic casualties, laid-off, downsized, and displaced workers
Who needs career planning?
Anyone who is:
- Undecided, uncertain, exploring, or unsure about choosing their major or career
- Changing their career
- Wanting to know their options in the world of work and educational programs
What services can we offer you?
We can help you:
- Identify career goals and develop strategies for implementing those goals to re-enter the educational system
- Assess your interests, values, skills, and personality as they relate to your career and educational goals
- Discover the skills hidden in your background that will open the doors to a more successful and fulfilling life
- Accomplish your goals through counseling, referrals, and job search preparation
- Research labor market trends and projections for the future
How do you choose a major, a career or set goals that are right for you?
The key for such choices begins with a realistic assessment of your values, interests, personality, strengths, skills, and future goals.
Your goal may be to:
- Acquire a certificate, degree, or transfer
- Change careers, begin a career, or develop new skills
- Take courses for personal growth and enjoyment
Whichever goals you identify, we can:
- Help you explore options and plan a program that will meet your needs
- Talk with you about the labor market and how to investigate it
- Prepare you for the job search process including résumé writing and interview strategies
- Provide support for you throughout the process
Our goal is to help you have a positive, rewarding experience at Cypress College in preparation for your future and achieving your goals.
How can career counseling help you?
The career counselors assist you with:
- Choosing a major
- Selecting careers
- Disseminating and evaluating career assessments
- Guiding you through the goal setting and decision making process
- All aspects of job search preparation including researching the possibilities and helping you get the career you desire through effective job search tactics, résumé writing, and interviewing techniques
Do you need an appointment to see a career counselor?
Yes. Career counselors are available FREE OF CHARGE on an appointment basis. Please call (714) 484-7120 to schedule your appointment.
Do you need career assessments and how do you take them?
Career assessments are tools used to help assess your interests, abilities, personality, strengths, values, skills, and work and life experiences. These are valuable measures to help you decide on your occupational and/or educational goals. To take a career assessment you need to enroll in one of our career classes or make an individual appointment with a career counselor. Career counselors determine which tools would be most beneficial for you and interpret the results.
Is there a charge for taking career assessments?
Yes, we charge a fee for assessments to cover our expenses related to these tests. Charges are typically $3 – $25 per inventory.
Why should you take career assessments with a qualified career counselor when there are plenty of free assessments available on the internet?
The old adage is true . . . You get what you pay for. The RELIABILITY and VALIDITY of the assessments offered through the Career Planning Center, as well as the KNOWLEDGE and GUIDANCE of the career counselors is beneficial if you are serious about your career search.
Many free and/or online assessments are simply not reliable and accurate. Studies have shown these “free” assessments (1) are limited and provide varying interpretations for results; (2) do not list names or qualifications of the developers of the assessments in most sites; and (3) have unknown reliability and validity – whether at face value or compared with more standard career assessments.
Does the Career Planning and Workforce Development Center post job openings or have a job board?
Yes! Handshake is our online job board. If you are a Cypress College Student or an employer and need assistance to get your profile started, please contact us at careercenter@cypresscollege.edu or (714) 484-7120.
Job Search, Employment, and Internship Links
CC-Career Connect launched in spring 2018
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Additional Resources
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Was your question listed here?
If not, please email your question to careercenter@cypresscollege.edu.
If you are at any stage of the career development process including self-assessment, identifying career or college major options, career/occupational research, decision making and goal setting, networking, branding, or job search preparation (resume writing, interview skills, etc.) then please contact the Career Planning Center for assistance at (714) 484-7120.