What is career counseling and development? Who needs career counseling?
Since career development is a lifelong process, career counseling can be appropriate for anyone. Career development is the process of self-knowledge and self-concept, exploration, and decision-making that shapes your career. It involves navigating your occupational options to choose and train for jobs that suit your personality, skills, values and interests. Career development is an ongoing process that changes and evolves throughout one's life. Below are steps to begin your career planning process.
- Consider and reflect on your personality, interests, values, skills, and talents and how they connect to a major or career path.
- Determine which careers match your strengths and goals.
- Research the qualifications, education, licenses, and/or certificates your desired field requires.
- Research any job barriers you might face.
- Set goals and create a student education plan (SEP).
Most Americans will spend a third of their lives at work, but a
2021 Gallup study showed that only 48% of Americans report being satisfied with their jobs.
The earlier you get started making intentional decisions about your future, the better prepared you will be! We recommend that all students come in and
meet with a career counselor.
* Description for Strategies for Choosing a Major graphic
Common Career Counseling Questions and Concerns
- "I have no idea what I want to do with my life."
- "I don't know what to major in."
- "I don't know the difference between a major and career."
- "I've narrowed it down to a couple career options, but I'm having a hard time choosing between them."
- "I know what I want to major in, but I have no idea what I want to do once I graduate."
- "I know what I want to do, but I'm not sure what the best major would be."
- "I want to know what kinds of jobs I can get with my major."
- "I don't feel like I know enough about all the different careers out there to know what I want to do."
- "I like a lot of different subjects, and I keep changing my major because I'm not sure which one is the best for me!"
- "I don't like any of my classes and none of the majors seem really appealing to me."
- "I have a lot of work experience and I want to find a new career path that will build on the skills I already have."
- "I always thought I wanted to be a _______, but I got into my major and I really don't like it!"
- "I really like my major, but it's not what I want to do for my career."
- "I know what type of work I'd like to do, but I'm afraid I won't be able to make enough money doing it."
- "My family really wants me to be a _______, but I'm not sure if that's really what I want."
- "I've always planned on being a _______, but I'm wondering if it's only because that's all I know."
- "I want to find a field to go into where there will always be plenty of jobs."
- "I want to find a career that will allow me to provide significant financial support for my family."
Career Assessments
To explore and learn more about how your personality, interests, values, and skills relate to different occupations and career paths, the Career/Transfer Center (CTC) offers career assessments for students. Assessments are used when working with students to help them examine their personal experiences and identify their personal assets.
The
CTC offers the following career assessments:
-
Focus 2
- Clifton Strengths*
- Myers-Briggs Type Inventory (MBTI)*
- Strong Interest Inventory (SII)*
- Knowdell Career Values Card Sort
*These assessments have a material fee.
Note: Not all students may need an assessment.
Talk with a career counselor to learn more about your options and to determine whether an assessment will be beneficial to you in your career development process.
Meet the Citrus College Career Counseling Team
Career counselors have master's degrees in counseling and have expertise in career development theory, counseling techniques, administration and interpretation of assessments, and career information resources.
Undergraduate Degree(s)
- Bachelor of Arts, Organizational Leadership, Chapman University
- Minor in Sociology, Chapman University
Graduate Degree(s)
- Master of Arts, Counseling for Higher Education, UCLA
- Certified MBTI Practitioner
First Job: In high school, I worked as a cashier at Chick's Sporting Goods.
Career/Job You Wanted as a Kid: A teacher
Careers/Jobs Outside of Higher Education: I worked in marketing/corporate communications for two different finance companies.
What Energizes You at Work? Working with students in both a counseling and teaching role. I love working on a college campus, the environment is fun and inspiring.
Career Assessment Types
- Clifton Strengths: Harmony, Individualization, Empathy, Developer, Discipline
- Enneagram: Type 6/Loyalist
- Holland/Strong Interest Inventory: Social, Enterprising, Conventional
- Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI): ESFJ
Career and Academic Pathway (CAPs) Team Member
- STEM and Communications
- Literature and Languages
Undergraduate Degree(s)
- Associate Degree for Transfer, Business Administration, Citrus College
- Associate of Arts, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Citrus College
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA), California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
First Job: Front staff at a dry cleaner.
Career/Job You Wanted as a Kid: Medical field – nurse
Careers/Jobs Outside of Higher Education: Fast food, retail, mortgage company
What Energizes You at Work? What motivates me to work is helping others. Being part of coordinating events and workshops that support students achieve their educational goals.
Career Assessment Types
- Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI): INTJ
Undergraduate Degree(s)
- Bachelor of Arts, Sociology, California State University, Fullerton
Graduate Degree(s)
- Master of Science, Counseling Psychology, University of La Verne
- Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology, Grand Canyon University
First Job: My first job was in high school. I began working my junior and senior year. A friend of the family owned a meat distribution company, and I worked there for two years while in high school.
Career/Job You Wanted as a Kid: As a kid, I wanted to fly jets and become a pilot for the Navy.
Careers/Jobs Outside of Higher Education: I've been coaching high school sports for many years now.
What Energizes You at Work? Helping students achieve their goals and overall helping students navigate the college experience.
Career Assessment Types
- Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI): ENTJ
Career and Academic Pathway (CAPs) Team Member
- Social and Behavioral Studies
- Visual, Performing Arts and Design
Undergraduate Degree(s)
- Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts, Mt. San Antonio College
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of California, Berkeley
Graduate Degree(s)
- Master of Science in Counseling, San Francisco State University
- Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership, University of La Verne
First Job: I worked at UC Berkeley's Call Center where I would call alumni to ask them to consider donating to the university. I also worked in student housing, checking guests in and out of the dorm during the summer months.
Career/Job You Wanted as a Kid: Growing up, I wanted to be a teacher.
Careers/Jobs Outside of Higher Education: After I graduated with my bachelor's degree, I worked as a substitute teacher.
What Energizes You at Work? I enjoy being able to work with the Career/Transfer Center team to create new services and resources to help students achieve their academic and career goals. I love talking to students about their aspirations and connecting them with resources that will help them reach their goals!
Career Assessment Types
- Clifton Strengths: Harmony, Belief, Responsibility
- Enneagram: Type 9/The Peacemaker
- Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI): ESFJ
Undergraduate Degree(s)
- Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, California State University, San Bernardino
- Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, California State University, San Bernardino
Graduate Degree(s)
- Master of Science in Education with Emphasis in Educational Counseling and Guidance
First Job: Summer camp counselor for children with special needs
Job You Wanted as a Kid: Lawyer or police officer
Careers/Jobs Outside of Higher Education: I worked in the admissions and records office at Cal State San Bernardino (CSUSB) for 10 years prior to Citrus College. I served as an international admissions officer and college and recruiter at CSUSB. I have been at Citrus College for over 20 years now, with a career spanning over 30 years in higher education.
What Energizes You at Work? I enjoy debates and discussions, tackling complex problems and ideas, creating original and exciting plans, and engaging with others. I come alive by strategizing, finding long-term goals and figuring out how to meet them. I am stimulated by the possibilities, coming up with innovative and clever ideas, and exploring new ways of seeing things.
I am energized by guiding students through the self-discovery process, allowing them to envision environments in which they can thrive and find meaningful work that leads to sustainable employment and personal growth. I believe that each of us has a special purpose and innate talent to make a difference in the world. I enjoy helping students apply their gifts in a meaningful way, learn to tell their unique story, and pursue their goals with confidence.
Career Assessment Types
- Clifton Strengths: Activator, Woo, Achiever, Command, Self-Assurance
- Enneagram: Type 7/Enthusiast
- Holland/Strong Interest Inventory:
Enterprising,
Social,
Investigative
- Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI): ENTP
Career and Academic Pathway (CAPs) Team Member
- Career and Technical Education
Undergraduate Degree(s)
- Bachelor of Arts in Intensive Psychology, University of California, Santa Cruz
- Minor in Education, University of California, Santa Cruz
Graduate Degree(s)
- Master of Education in Educational Counseling, University of Southern California
First Job: Agriculture assembly line associate
Career/Job You Wanted as a Kid: I wanted to be Selena.
Careers/Jobs Outside of Higher Education: Agriculture assembly line associate
What Energizes You at Work? Having a positive, rewarding, and motivating environment. I enjoy the opportunity to be able to create heart-warming, authentic relationships with my students and colleagues.
Career Assessment Types
- Clifton Strengths: Connectedness, Positivity, Empathy, Achiever, Relator
- Enneagram: Type 6/The Loyal Guardian
- Holland/Strong Interest Inventory:
Social,
Enterprising,
Conventional
- Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI): ENFJ
Undergraduate Degree(s)
- Certificate in cosmetology (1600 hours) and current licensure by the California State Board
- Associate of Science, Liberal Arts and Sciences, LA Pierce College
- College Certificate in Cinema, LA Pierce College
- Certificate in Anthropology, LA Pierce College
- Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and Sociology, UCLA
Graduate Degree(s)
- Master of Science, Counseling Psychology (College Counseling and Student Services specialty), California State University, Northridge
- Post Master's Certificate in Career Counseling, California State University, Northridge
- Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology, Grand Canyon University
- MBTI Master Practitioner
- Strong Interest Inventory Certified
- National Certified Counselor (NCC), National Board for Certified Counselors
- Master Career Counselor (MCC), National Career Development Association
First Job: Nordstrom sales associate in clothing and cosmetics
Career/Job You Wanted as a Kid: Creative director for InStyle Magazine
Careers/Jobs Outside of Higher Education: Fashion, advertising (media buyer for McCann Erickson), and as a makeup artist all throughout college and graduate school.
What Energizes You at Work? Creativity, flexibility, autonomy, open communication, and working with great people.
Career Assessment Types
- Clifton Strengths: Futuristic, Strategic, Achiever, Focus, Individualization
- Enneagram: Type 3/Achiever
- Holland/Strong Interest Inventory: Enterprising, Artistic, Social
- Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI): INTJ
Career and Academic Pathway (CAPs) Team Member
- Business and Information Technology
- Exercise and Health Sciences
Other Services
Citrus offers the following counseling classes to assist with your career planning and development
- COUN 203 - Building Grit and Resiliency for Life Long Learning and Career
- COUN 204 - Pathways to Careers in the Social and Behavioral Sciences
- COUN 205 - Pathways to Healthcare Careers
- COUN 206 - Pathways to Careers in STEM
- COUN 207 - Pathways to Careers in Business and Information Technology Systems
- COUN 208 - Pathways in Career and Technical Education
For a detailed list of counseling classes with descriptions, units and transferrability, please
refer to counseling courses page on the Citrus College Catalog website.
While the Career/Transfer Center (CTC) does not have job postings or assists with job placement, career counselors can help you prepare for your job or internship search with the following services through workshops and one-on-one appointments:
- Resume Writing
- Cover Letter Writing
- LinkedIn Profile Set-up or Review
- Mock Interview/Interview Prep
Interested in learning more about the pathway to careers in fields such as law and medicine? The CTC pre-professional guides provide information about majors, required coursework, and general information on how to prepare for careers in these fields. You may access them all on this website.
Scheduling a Career Counseling Appointment
No preparation is needed to schedule an appointment. If you are not sure where to begin, book an appointment with a career counselor and they will assist you with starting the process.
Most appointments are 30 or 45 minutes. Appointments for assistance with resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn, and interviewing are one hour.
To book an appointment,
you may use the online scheduler, call the CTC at (626) 914-8639, or stop by the
Student Services (SS) building, second floor.
Stay Connected
CTC@citruscollege.edu
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Adapted from Boise State University Career Services
