CAREER AND ADVISING SERVICES

CONTACT PERSON
Director: Debra Lybyer, M Ed
e-mail: dlybyer@lcsc.edu
Office: RCH 110
Phone: 792-2313
Fax: 792-2298
Web: http://www.lcsc.edu/cas

OVERVIEW
Career and Advising Services (CAS) performs the following
general functions:

• Assist students with exploration of college majors and/or career options and provision of informational resources to support that function;
• Assist students with securing practical employment experiences while attending college and assisting students in securing professional career opportunities through a variety of employment placement resources;
• Coordinate and organize all Student Advising and Registration (STAR) sessions, campus-wide advisor training activities, direct advising of undeclared, and at-risk student populations;
and
•  Coordinate related career planning, employment search, and advising assistance through special events and activities.

CAREER EXPLORATION
Students who are in the process of selecting a major and/or determining a career to pursue following graduation are welcome to participate in various career exploration activities. Workshops, inventories, a college course, and the DISCOVER system (an internet-based career information system) are available for students who are considering how their interests, values, and skills relate to the world of work. Computers with Internet access are available for career/employer research as well. Graduate school information including graduate school entrance examination materials are available in the Career Library. Individual appointments with career counselors and access to the Career Library may be obtained at CAS.

JOB SEARCH
To enhance and finance their college education, many students may choose to work while pursuing their degree. The Job Match Program provides these students with job opportunities which “match” their particular interests. Listings are available in the Career Resource Center. Students who register with this program are placed in a database and contacted when appropriate referrals become available.

EMPLOYMENT RELATED ACTIVITIES
To assist current students and prospective graduates in the job search process, a variety of programs and activities are available. Workshops focusing on resumes, cover letters, interviewing skills, placement/credential files, professional and meal etiquette, and other job search topics are available for students. In addition, students are encouraged to speak with a career counselor individually to discuss their job search, participate in a mock interview, and/or receive a constructive critique of their materials. Resume referrals, as well as on-campus interviews by recruiting employers, are also arranged for prospective graduates.

SPECIAL EVENTS
The office of Career and Advising Services offers various programming throughout the year. Students may participate in events such as professional etiquette training, mock interview opportunities and career fair experiences, in addition to other varied offerings. All students and alumni are welcome to visit Career and Advising Services.

EDUCATIONAL ADVISING
At LCSC, educational advising is viewed as the foundation for a successful academic program. However, the educational experiences and subsequent success is ultimately the student’s responsibility. Advisors assist students in selecting courses to meet the college’s various degree and certification requirements. Students may also find their advisors helpful in addressing career or personal concerns. All degree-seeking students are required to meet with an advisor prior to registering for classes each term. Advisor assignments occur when a student completes a Program Information Form (PIF). These forms can be obtained from the Office of Admission/Registrar or any division office by their respective division. Students who have chosen a major will be assigned a faculty advisor.

UNDECLARED STUDENT ADVISING
LCSC encourages the enrollment of students who are unsure of their educational career goals. The professional staff located in the CAS office will advise these students until a student accumulates 32 credits at which point they must choose a major to pursue. As part of the advising experience, students will be encouraged to move toward choosing a major by taking advantage of the numerous career exploration offerings through this office.


STUDENT SUCCESS ADVISING
Through a comprehensive support and intervention program, the CAS office works directly with LCSC students to help ensure academic success. Students who are entering LCSC as conditionally admitted into technical programs may be referred to the CAS office for support during their initial enrollment and into the first few semesters. During this time, these students will be provided with information and assistance with college processes and with understanding the requirements that can be met to obtain full admission status and subsequent success at LCSC. Conditionally admitted academic students who do not make progress toward their core completion requirement will be referred to the CAS office for consultation and assistance. CAS staff regularly make contact with first year students who are referred by faculty and/or showing signs of academic distress. Students who are entering, or re-entering, LCSC through the petition process may also be referred to CAS for advising and assistance in navigating their initial semesters at the college. Staff will provide information about services and support available to them during their college career.

STAR – STUDENT ADVISING AND REGISTRATION
STAR is the process where new (or returning after five years) students are advised and registered for the coming semester. STARs provide information about financial aid, payments, what to expect from college, and how to register. STARs offer a relaxed atmosphere which makes it easier for new students to ask questions and learn basic information about their college careers.