NVCC | Annandale| Student Services | Counseling
   
  As an NVCC student, you are eligible to obtain free career counseling by appointment. Career counselors can assist you in your career development process, helping to expand insight and gain practical knowledge. Appointments can be made in person in the Counseling Center (CG 211) or by calling (703) 323-3505.

The Career Center (located in CM327) is a great place to gain valuable information for your career journey. The Career Center contains books and videos on various career development and job search issues, and allows for detailed research on specific careers. These resources can be used on your own and without an appointment. Similar information can also be gained through the use of the Career Center’s computer resources, including Internet research. Computer time must be reserved in advance by calling (703) 323-3144.

Career Testing
  After consulting with a career counselor, you may decide that a formal assessment of your interests, skills, preferences and/or values would be useful. This can be done using written and/or computerized tools. (Assessment options should be discussed with your career counselor during the initial counseling session.) Computer assessments (i.e., Virginia View and eChoices) are available on-line. You can access Virginia View at www.vaview.vt.edu and eChoices at www.echoices.com. You will need a password to access eChoices that you can obtain from the Career Resource Center (CM327) or from any counselor. You can still use the interactive software, Choices CT, until November 1 of 2003, by making an appointment through the Career Resource Center. Written assessments (i.e., Strong Interest Inventory and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, etc.) can be purchased from the NVCC Bookstore, with an authorization form signed by your career counselor. Most assessments will require one or more follow-up sessions with your career counselor.
   
Resume Critiques
  Resumes are one of the most important items in the job search - How do you make sure that you are accurately reflected on this piece of paper? Consult the experts. Career counselors can assist you in making sure that you are giving the impression you intend when you send out your resume. Resume critiques are done in the counseling center, by appointment only. On your own, you can access numerous resume-writing books and resources in the Career Resource Center.
   
Job Listing
  The Career Center (located in CM327) maintains job listings sent in by local employers. Job listings are compiled into binders, located on Career Center shelves, and are divided into various career fields. No appointment is necessary to review binders during regular Center hours. In addition, many of the listings are also posted on job boards throughout the campus. Current students and alumni may also access jobs on the Internet via MonsterTrak. The password is "NOVA".
 
Career Workshops
 

Each semester, the Counseling Center brings students The Awareness Series. This series consists of over 20 individual 50-minute workshops and seminars which are free of charge to NVCC students and the community at large. Sessions are geared to address the issues college students commonly face, including career preparation. Each semester’s selection is different, but some past career workshops have been:

  • Career Decision Making
  • Career Research Using the Internet
  • Employment Interviewing
  • Job Search Tactics in the 21st Century
  • Majors & Careers for 2000 and Beyond
  • Resume and Cover Letter Writing
  • Take Charge of Your Career
  • The Art of Conversation
Career Education Courses
 

As an NVCC student, you may choose to do individualized career research and gain college credit for it. The Counseling Center offers two student development courses geared toward career development:
Special Career Events
  NVCC’s Annandale campus is dedicated to providing its students with career information and resources. Each semester, the Counseling Center offers special career events. In the Fall, the Counseling Center observes National Career Development Month in November. Careers in Information Technology (IT) is offered in November and includes a panel of experts from the IT field. Various workshops related to IT are also offered at this time.

Each Spring, NVCC’s Annandale campus promotes career development with a concentrated series of employment-related programs. Special career seminars and resume critiquing sessions precede the major career event of the Spring, the annual Career Fair. Over 100 community employers come to campus to meet prospective employees. All NVCC students are invited and encouraged to take part in these events.

   
Last revised: 3/31/08
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