Career counseling and drop-in advising sessions are designed to assisted students with their understanding of the relationship between self-knowledge and career/major choices through an assessment of interests, values and strengths; leading them to preparing for a successful job search. During the past year we conducted a total of 8,175 career counseling appointments and advising sessions:
Career Decision Making Learning Outcomes (Pilot Program): The development of Student Learning Outcomes for the CDC is a relatively new work in progress. In this pilot program, pre and post assessments were administered to fourteen students, who attended a series of career decision making counseling appointments. Assessment results indicated growth in knowledge and skills in six of the seven categories measured. Changes in student behavior in implementing the career decision making process improved in five of nine categories measured, with significant growth in helping students "narrow down their major/career choices". As a result of this pilot program, a more comprehensive career decision making student learning outcome process was designed and will be implementation in 2008-09.
Career Decision Making Student Learning Outcomes
Pre and Post Assessment Comparisons
| Student Assessment Questions; | Pre | Post | Difference |
| I feel optimistic about my major/career decision-making | 3.14 | 3.16 | +0.02 |
| I feel confused when I think of having to choose a major/career | 3.5 | 3.31 | -0.19 |
| I feel confident in my ability to choose a major/career | 2.93 | 3.23 | +0.7 |
| I can identify steps of the career decision-making process | 3 | 4.29 | +1.29 |
| I comprehend steps of the career decision-making process | 3.43 | 4.29 | +0.86 |
| I am able to identify resources in my career decision-making process | 3.29 | 4.29 | +1 |
| I know how to make decisions regarding my major/career | 2.93 | 4.29 | +1.36 |
| Use of Resources indicated by student | Pre | Post | Difference |
| Utilized books/and or other resources in the CDC to research careers/majors | 5 | 9 | +4 |
| Researched Information available on the internet, magazines, and other print materials to become familiar with careers/majors | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| Spoken with faculty, friends, or family for their input and guidance | 13 | 14 | +1 |
| Compiled my own research and created lists that are logical/comprehensive to me | 3 | 6 | +3 |
| Analyzed my data by considering the pros and cons of different options | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| Narrowed down my choices or options | 7 | 12 | +5 |
| Participated in an internship or volunteer program | 3 | 5 | +2 |
| Work experience in the area of my interest | 4 | 2 | -2 |
| None of the Above | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Exploration Program: This program was designed to assist first-year students who are exploring their major and seeking assistance with career development. Pre- and post-evaluation comparisons indicated that students understood and implemented action steps of the career decision making process:
FreshPlan: This pilot program was as a supplement to the mandatory academic advising mandate for second semester freshmen. Assessment results indicated positive growth in the student's level of knowledge/proficiency in choosing a major:
Career Development & Job Search Workshops: CDC staff provided 112 workshop sessions to 2,010 student attendees. Topics for these workshops ranged from resume writing, interviewing strategies, networking, job search techniques and graduate school presentation. The workshops most popular amongst our students were: Job Search for Government Opportunities, Internships for Arts Majors, Negotiating your Job Offer and Salary, Interviewing Techniques and Resume Writing for the Job Fair.
