By Waleed Fahmawi, Melisa Ceman and Daniel Castellanos/reporters

Picturing career paths made simpler with TCC campus resources

The thought of picking out a stream to follow in life can be daunting, and picking out a major is just that.

Some students come into college knowing their intended major while others have a harder time deciding.

For the undecided, academic advisors, counselors and career services personnel can help students find their passions and focus them on a related major.

South counseling director Ticily Medley said she is always open to counseling and advising students who reach out to her.

“Many students come to me to get advice on the transition from high school to college,” Medley said.

She said first-time freshmen are normally more worried than other students.

“Asking for help is not something to be ashamed of, but not searching for it when you need it is,” Medley said.

TCC offers many different types of counseling to suit the specific needs of each student. Academic advisors and personal counselors are available at all campuses.

A degree program dictates a student’s academic journey, so advisers and counselors like Medley help students chart their path.

While some students choose a major right off the bat, others simply want to fulfill general education requirements while paying lower tuition rates at community college.

TR student Ivette Vasquez said being a part of TCC helps her not only financially but mentally. She said her friends and professors helped her through her first year.

“All you really need is a big push,” Vasquez said. “College is scary the first semester, but the second semester only gets better. You just have to motivate yourself.”

Career services is another resource for students who need help figuring out which major to choose and how to proceed after graduation. This resource offers several services including assessments to find where students’ interests lie and Career Coach, an online tool to help students build a resume and browse career paths.

SE career services administrative assistant Quietera Lomax said it’s important to remember why a student chose to go to college.

“Consider your reason for obtaining your degree,” she said. “If your goal is to obtain gainful employment, career services should be a stop you make.”

TCC also has the career pathways model, helping students navigate the choppy waters of choosing a major and what to do next, meaning related career and technical programs are grouped together.

“We’re more or less creating a menu for them,” NE career services director Stephanie Rettig said.

Career pathways help map a clear course from the classroom to the workplace, she said. So if a student wants to become a communications analyst, that student can earn a certificate, find a job and return for other certificates or a degree as they gain real-world experience.

TR student Ciarra Johnson said faculty and staff were a big help in making her time at the college a success.

“The instructors are caring and love to help the students with whatever they need to pass,” she said. “The environment is safe, and the students are nice and helpful. If I would recommend a school to someone, this would definitely be a school I would recommend.”