Career services aids student job hunts

By Emina Gibic/reporter

Students are not alone in their pursuit to declare a major, find a job or start a career.

All five campuses have career services offices that provide students with resources they can use to get into the workforce.

“Each of the campuses has My Plan access that provides students with free tests that help them figure out what career they might excel in,” said SE career services coordinator Gina Maloy.
To sign up, students must go to a center to create an account and take the first assessment. After that, they can take the last three tests at home, Maloy said. After receiving the assessment results, an advisor is available to review the results with the student.

Cynthia Robinson, a work-study student in South career services, said each of the centers also helps with creating resumes and setting up mock interviews between faculty members and students. The mock interviews allow students to gain practice in answering typical questions asked by an employer. Help is available during all office hours.

“We welcome walk-ins, but typically students are going to set up an appointment with us,” she said.

Each campus will also soon provide students with access to Interview Stream, an online program that allows students to practice being interviewed.

“Using a webcam on campus or at home, the student will practice responding to prerecorded interview questions,” Maloy said. “Afterward, they can watch and learn how to improve both their verbal and nonverbal communication skills.”

Career Coach is another tool students can use to research information about a potential career.

“The link to Career Coach is a large circular icon located on the left side of the TCC homepage,” Maloy said. “The website provides you with earnings, hiring trends and even job postings in the Tarrant County region.”

College Central Network is also an option for students to find job openings that employers exclusively post to TCC. The link can be found on the career and employment page under the student services tab on the TCC homepage.

Each of the five centers has some unique aspects. TR Campus’ center sponsors a career closet that provides professional clothing for students in need.

“The clothes are obtained by donations, and, therefore, the students can keep the clothes for future interviews or project presentations,” said TR student development specialist Ariana Rodriguez.

NW Campus hosts annual volunteer fairs for students interested in working for nonprofits to gain experience and volunteer hours.

“We have the fairs in the spring and fall,” said NW career counselor Tracy Williams. “Organizations such as Azle Animal Shelter Humane Association, Seasons Hospice and Neighbor to Neighbors are all available.”

Williams said another benefit the NW career center offers is hundreds of postings of jobs made available to students. They can come to the career center and grab a copy of the postings that are frequently updated.

“Students can also apply for student assistant jobs for different departments at TCC,” Williams said. “You have to be taking at least six hours of coursework to be eligible, but other than that, it’s the same as applying for any other job.”

General job fairs are also hosted on each of the campuses at the beginning of each semester. Students can talk to potential employers about flexible schedules, shift work and tuition assistance.

Veterans can also benefit during SE Campus’ annual veterans job fair, Maloy said. Veterans can meet and talk with potential employers right on campus.

“Our main purpose is to help alumni and current students find jobs,” she said.

Maloy said countless TCC graduates come back and use the career centers even after they have transferred to other universities.

“Nobody wants to leave TCC, but you eventually have to move on to bigger things,” she said. “I graduated from TCC, and I didn’t want to leave myself.”