Mission Statement

Career Counseling aims to increase career literacy for prospective and current students, equipping them with the knowledge, tools and support they need to make informed career decisions, create a plan and obtain employment upon graduation. 

-Deliver student career assessment, exploration and planning resources and guidance 
-Support student work-based learning opportunities  
-Connect high school students, parents and counselors with Butte College pathways 
-Facilitate employer engagement with students, faculty and educational programs
-Integrate career development services and curriculum with classroom instruction 

Program Description

The following services and programs are offered through Career Counseling: (1) One-on-one counseling to increase career planning knowledge and achieve career planning skill competence, including career assessment administration and interpretation; (2) Provide workshops and events to enhance career literacy (3) Deliver resources and tools to help students explore careers and establish a career goals (4) Provide dual enrollment courses to high school students 

Accountability for Previously Funded Items

Student Learning/Administrative Unit Outcomes

SLO #1: Identify and utilize online resources to explore majors, colleges, and careers. Based on the assessment results that measured SLO #1,about 1/2 of students claimed that they were unable to reach SLO #1 prior to meeting a counselor. After meeting with counselor, approximately 91% of students thought they were able to meet SLO #1. Approx 9% of students were still unable to meet SLO #1, likely due to the fact that although online resources were introduced and given (emailed links) to students, not enough time was given to instill confidence in utilizing these resources independently. Counselor always offers a 2nd/follow-up meeting to further explore and use online resources, but these 9% were not tracked to see how many of them actually met with counselor a 2nd or 3rd time.
 
SLO #2: Identify career pathways within your chosen major. Based on the assessment results that measured SLO #2, 66% of students claimed that they were unable to achieve SLO #2 prior to meeting with counselor. After meeting with counselor, 95% of students were able to identify career pathways within their major.
The outcomes were so successful that there is very little room for improvement. Therefore our efforts need to go into serving more students and reaching out to these students earlier. Career counseling is only provided to about 600 students per year, and of those students served, most have already acquired 30 units or more. Career Counseling is planning on hiring a new PT career counselor to reach more students earlier on. Our department is also working with the Assessment office to implement an online interest inventory for all students to take during matriculation.
 
Current career counselor reached out to FYE courses to facilitate more career exploration workshops.
Currently implementing an online career interest inventory and career exploration platform to be facilitated in the Assessment Lab (taken after Math and/or English assessment)
Developing coursework for DE purposes to increase career literacy and college preparedness for HS students
 
SLO #3: Establish career goals based on the analysis of your interests, personality, and values. Based on the assessment results that measured SLO #3, this showed the highest impact on learning/program meeting its impact where 75% of students claimed they were unable to meet this objective prior to meeting with counselor. After meeting with the counselor, 95% claimed that they were able to meet the SLO. This seems to confirm the assumption of students' primary reason to meet with a counselor - for an in-person analysis of their career assessments.
SLO #4: Understand the requirements to fulfill academic and career goals. Based on the assessment results that measured SLO #3, 61% of students claim that they already have reached this outcome before meeting with a counselor (reflected on pre sruvey). Post survey results indicate a 34% increase (=95%). If there are already such a high amount of students being able to reach SLO #3 before receiving service, then is there a need to focus on this outcome during sessions; does this SLO need to be measured?
 
Final thought: The current pre and post surveys do not measure what the student actually came in for (what are their desired outcomes), therefore we really did not determine if they received what they wanted - SLOs were assumed and not based on a needs assessment.
The outcomes were so successful that there is very little room for improvement. Therefore our efforts need to go into serving more students and reaching out to these students earlier. Career counseling is only provided to about 600 students per year, and of those students served, most have already acquired 30 units or more. Career Counseling is planning on hiring a new PT career counselor to reach more students earlier on. Our department is also working with the Assessment office to implement an online interest inventory for all students to take during matriculation.
Current career counselor reached out to FYE courses to facilitate more career exploration workshops.
Currently implementing an online career interest inventory and career exploration platform to be facilitated in the Assessment Lab (taken after Math and/or English assessment)
Developing coursework for DE purposes to increase career literacy and college preparedness for HS students

Standards/Goals for Student Achievement (Instruction Departments)

N/A - Non-Instructional Department 

Standards/Goals for Student Achievement (All Other Departments)

1. Increase by at least 20 percent the number of California Community College students annually who acquire associate degrees, credentials, certificates, or specific skill sets that prepare them for an in-demand job. The department engages students during pre-matriculation periods, matriculation, and within the first semester to make informed major/career decisions - to decrease the chances of changing majors, andincrease motovation towards completion.
2. Increase by 35 percent the number of California Community College students transferring annually to a UC or CSU. The department helps students become informed and set plans pertianing to CSU and UC pathways. 
3. Decrease the average number of units accumulated by California Community College students earning associate degrees. The department provides services to help students make timely and well-informed choices in order to avoid excess units caouse by delayed and/or continually changing majoe decisions. 
4. Increase the percent of exiting CTE students who report being employed in their field of study. The department has multiple ongoing partnerships with CTE departments and JOb Placement to promote and assist students in obtaining work-based experiences pertaining to their major prior to graduation - to gain a competitive edge as a job seeker post graduation. 
5. Reduce equity gaps across all of the above measures through faster improvements among traditionally underrepresented student groups. The department targets and provides services and resources to these specific populations. 
 

Strategic Direction

1. Enhancing a Culture of Completion and Goal Achievement
A. Prepare high school students for college - via CLP 101 dual enrollment. career exploration workshops, and career info during Reg-2-Go 
B. Align onboarding processes with pathways - Chart Your Path brochure and workshop for new student orientation process. Career content for Guided Pathways pages, along with Me3 assessment for GP home page
C. Redesign support for our diverse students - internship and scholarship support tagets special popluations, events held specifically for specofoc pops
D. Support Student Progress and Completion - connet students with work-based learning opportunites - job shadows , field trips, internships, etc. 
 

Program Review

2017 Program Review Recommendations received on 1/29/18. 
The Validation Team respectfully submits this recommendation related to staffing issues as the most critical to Career Counseling’s ability to continue serving students in alignment with the District’s mission and values:

Continue to advocate through district unit planning and other appropriate means to seek funding to create and fill two additional positions. Program growth and expansion is critical to continue to participate in and complete the initiatives at the District level for recruitment, student achievement, and apportionment: 

Full Time Career Counselor – to increase the quantity and quality of services to students and implement year round appointment availability
Part Time Career Counselor – to increase work flows with a focus on services to the district’s satellite campuses at the Chico and Glenn Centers



 
The Validation Team respectfully submits these recommendations to assist Career Counseling in their efforts to seek continuous improvement in delivering services to students:

Implement technological solutions to create and enhance department services for further marketing and promotion.
Explore the possibility of embedding online career tools on BC department websites and assessment, use teaser advertisements to get students to click on links to access important career information related to a student’s major, and offer tools as incentive to instruction to use as “extra-credit” in classes.
Collaborate further with Job Placement services as the two departments are closely aligned to ensure students achieve success. Clearly defined roles and services provided by each department while working together will support students with career life planning and employment search while attending college and upon completion. 
Work closely with the District for cohesive collaboration for a district wide student centered career plan as developing, implementing, and scheduling guided pathways, instruction, and CTE programs.
Solicit support from the district and other departments in the continued development and implementation of the dual enrollment program. This program is a district endeavor that should be managed by a committee comprised of a cross-section of instructional department faculty and staff to ensure institutional compliance and district fulfilment.
Coordinate a Career Counseling Advisory Committee to bring focus together and strategize efficiently on how to better prepare and encourage students for academic and career success.
Responsibility to fulfill counseling and advising capabilities while working with students in regards to creating usable, workable Educational Plans. Student experience at Butte College is a commitment as highlighted by the District’s “Students First” value, not having the ability to complete a counseling appointment with an Ed Plan can add to student frustration and perception of “too many hoops.”
Examine possible interventions through the Strong Workforce Task Force (CCCCO) for any additional funding available to be applied for resources to assist the department and its students with their educational and career goals.
Solicit continued supplementary funding support needed for, often times too costly for students, career assessment testing with MBTI and Strong Interest Inventory (SII).
Consider analyzing possible department realignment for purview under Student Learning & Economic Development (SLED) within the FYE department as Career Life Planning (CLP) and dual enrollment are closely intertwined. This realignment would reduce the dual enrollment coordination activity of the career counselor to further be able to assist students with their career and educational needs.
Explore the possibility of collaboration with multiple student services departments to meet student needs at outlying centers (Chico and Glenn Centers) for more of a “one-stop shop” student experience. Also consider using Twitter, Instagram, and Grad Guru to communicate with students as further outreach endeavors.

 
Implementations & Actions Still to be Addressed Although funding has not materialized for additional career counselor positions, Career Counseling is working with the Career & Academic Assessment enter to hire 2 classified positions committed to serving current and prospective students in a various career exploration/planning related services. Online career tools have been enhanced. Career Counseling is a part of a workgroup within the Guided Pathways Steering Committee to update all online materials, resources and tools to enhance the onboarding process for students. Communications with Job Placement has increased and roles have been defined. We are working on a referral system, and are investigating on how to partner on certain projects. CLP 101 dual enrollment numbers declined after the Camp Fire, losing 9 sections in Paradise High. Growth of this program has been stagnant due to limited time. Career Counseling and the Career and Academic Assessment Center plan to establish an advisory committee by the end of Spring .

Department Goals

-Deliver student career assessment, exploration/planning resources and guidance 
-Create student work-based learning opportunities  
-Connect high school students with Butte College pathways 
-Integrate career development services and curriculum with classroom instruction 

Future Development Strategies

Requested Non-Financial Resources

Current Financial Resources

Augmentation Requests