Career Planning Tools

Work individually or with a career advisor to address your career development plans related to your interests, aptitudes, values and personality. With proper planning and research you will develop a career plan that is best suited to your goals both personally and professionally.

Individual Career Advising is available Monday-Friday by appointment. General services are available daily to walk-in customers. Our services are available to all patrons seeking assistance.  Contact Career Services at (910) 938-6761 to schedule an appointment.

Career planning requires time and is accomplished by utilizing a variety of resources, seeking input from many sources, and analyzing your goals against all of your available options.  This will allow you to narrow your scope of potential professions by applying your expectations for salary, benefits, working hours and conditions, long term career advancement, job availability, geographic preference, educational requirements and expenses, family responsibilities, and physical requirements to name a few.  As you can see, there are many factors to consider and the job market is an increasingly complex and competitive world where strategic planning is essential.

Download Quick Guide: Creating a Plan for Your Personal Career Development

The Career Services Center houses a full lab of computers with Microsoft Office Suite and access to printers and materials to assist you with your career development activities.

Additionally, we stock a variety of books, quick guides and web-based resources that cover the full array of career planning and development topics to help you achieve your goals.

Career Assessment Testing

For college students and adults, Kuder Journey is a one-of-a-kind solution to help you plan for the right career! Based on your specific needs, Journey provides reliable tools to assess your interests, suggest education and career options, prepare you for the job search, and connect you to today’s jobs.

Journey consists of 3 assessments that will help you identify your Career Pathways, Existing Skill Sets, and Work Related Values. The results of these three assessments will be used to identify programs of study and specific occupations that are relevant and fit with your educational goals. You will be able to research occupations and programs, bookmark favorites, establish an online portfolio, search for jobs and more all in one place.

The assessment is given only in the Career Center at Coastal during the hours of 8:30am until 3:30pm Monday through Friday, or by special request by instructors for class groups. No appointment is necessary to take the career assessment, however if you wish to review your results with a counselor, you will need to make an appointment by contacting the center at (910) 938-6761, or by stopping by during regular business hours from 8:30am-4:30pm Monday through Friday, before or after you have taken the assessment.

You will need to bring your printed copies of the results according to the directions provided with the assessment when you meet with the career counselor. Requirements to take the assessment:

  1. You must be a Coastal student, prospective Coastal student or job seeker
  2. You must have a valid email address at the time you register
  3. You must be able to use a computer and to both read, and follow verbal directions*
  4. Please allow 30 to 60 minutes to take the assessment
  5. You may take the test once during the academic year free of charge *if you require accommodations, please contact the center before you desire to take the assessment Please contact the Career Center if you have any questions about the test or to schedule a career counseling appointment to review your assessment results.

Click here to access the Journey Log-in screen
The Career Center will assign you a code to activate your account and instructions on how to register and take the assessment when you arrive.

Career Readiness Certificate Program

The Career Readiness Certificate (CRC) Assessment is an excellent way to not only identify your current marketable skills, but it is also a portable nationally recognized credential that proves to employers that you have the skills to do a job. Approximately 85% of the jobs in the market require skills in:

  • Applied Mathematics
  • Reading for Information
  • Locating Information

How do you know if your employable skills are current with today’s job market? By taking this assessment you can easily see what your skills are and take the necessary steps to improve any areas where you may be deficient.

The CRC is based on the ACT WorkKeys Industry Skills Assessment System. You will take three simple tests each 45 minutes in duration. Based on meeting certain scores on each of the three tests, you may be eligible to earn a CRC. If you do not earn the required minimum scores on any of the exams, you may take short term classes and/or computer based tutorials to boost your skill levels so that you are able to re-test and earn a certificate. The Certificate affords a Bronze, Silver or Gold level depending on how high you score. To register for an assessment, please call 938-6773.

CRC Assessment Schedule for Spring 2013

For more information on the Career Readiness Certificate Program, please visit:

Additional Web Based Resources

Career Ladders — Career ladders and lattices are devices that help people visualize and learn about the job options that are available as they progress through a career

NC Health Careers — Explore a variety of healthcare careers and resources.

O*NET — A huge resource for exploring your career interests with a host of search tools and resources all in one location.

MyCAA Spouse Education & Training Plan Guidance

 

My Next Move — What do you want to do for a living? Search for careers based on your interests and training.

My Skills My Future — Explore new career options. Enter the job you’ve had, and the web site will match your skills to a new career.

CFNC.org — The College Foundation of North Carolina hosts a variety of resources for youth and adults exploring careers and planning, applying and paying for college education.

Recruiters Connection — Recruiters Connection is a National Online Directory of Recruiting Firms by state and by industry.

Facebook CareerFriend™ — CareerFriend™ Friends helping friends find the best careers. Quickly tap into valuable career and job information available from your friends.

Internships.com — Need Experience to get the job you desire? An Internship can help you build your skills to be competitive.

RetirementJobs.com — Jobs for people over 50

Resources for Veterans

National Resource Directory — The National Resource Directory (NRD) provides access to services and resources at the national, state and local levels that support recovery, rehabilitation and community reintegration.

My Next Move for Veterans — You’ve served your country. Now you’re ready for a new challenge. What do you want to do for a living?

Career One Stop — Match your military experience to civilian jobs.

Monster.com Veterans Talent Index — The Veterans Talent Index includes a comprehensive analysis of transitioning military service members, veterans and their employers. The three indices include: the Veteran Career Confidence Index; the Veteran Job Search Activity Index; and the Employer Veteran Hiring Index. Results will be issued on a bi-annual basis.

VA for Vets Career Center — Veteran tool kit (skills translator, assessments, resume writer) provided through the new VA website powered by Monster.

If you have any questions about the career development process, please feel free to contact us at:

Career Services Center
Continuing Education Building Room 108
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30-4:30pm
careerservices@coastalcarolina.edu
910-938-6761