|
|
  |
Career & Employment Center
Located on the Marshalltown Iowa Valley/MCC campus in room 510, the Career & Employment Center serves students, alumni, employees, employers and district residents. The Career & Employment Center is staffed by personnel from MCC and Iowa Valley Continuing Education. For MCC students, alumni, and the general public, the Center offers services as follows:
List of Services
For more information on our services, contact Jim Merritt at 641-844-5779 or Sandy Supianoski at 641-844-5780. The Career & Employment Center is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and some evenings by appointment.
Career Decision Making – Assistance is provided in deciding on a career, choosing a major, or making a career change. Staff will meet individually to assist in working through the career decision-making process. A wide range of career assessment instruments is available as well as a computerized career information system (Kuder). Staff can also help explore the different programs available at MCC. A Career Planning course is available in which one hour of college credit can be earned.
Career Information– A computerized career information system is available at no cost. Kuder has in-depth information on over 650 careers. Information includes job duties, education requirements, salary, working conditions, future outlook, working conditions, physical requirements and links to other career information. This information is up-to-date and online. The system also includes a search component that matches personal career preferences, skills and interests with various occupations. Click here to link to www.ivccd.kuder.com.
Career Assessment – A wide range of assessment tools are available, including an aptitude test. This test helps evaluate job strengths and weaknesses. The aptitude score received can be compared to various occupational scores. This can help in choosing a career that matches one’s strengths and weaknesses. Wide ranges of aptitudes are measured, including general learning ability, reading, math, spatial aptitude and hand-eye coordination. An appointment is necessary.
There are several types of interest inventories also available. Interest inventories measure areas of interest and relate the interest to specific careers. The printouts make suggestions of careers that one would find fulfilling. Inventories that are available include the Career Assessment Inventory, the Strong Interest Inventory, the Campbell Interest and Skill Survey, the Reading Free Vocational Interest Inventory, and the Self Directed Search. An appointment is suggested to determine which instrument is most appropriate. A counselor will meet individually to interpret results and help with decision-making. There is a fee, which varies depending upon the instrument. Click here to link to www.ivccd.kuder.com.
Job Seeking Assistance – There is a listing of area part-time and full-time jobs from Marshalltown and the surrounding area. This list is updated weekly and includes a wide range of openings. The list is printed and available at the center each Wednesday or it can be accessed online by clicking the link below.
Resume and interviewing assistance is available. Individual appointments can be made by calling the center.
There is also a Job Seeking Assistance MCC 1 credit course available each semester.
Students can find additional valuable information online at the following sites:
- Iowa Career Net is a source of online jobs in Iowa. Students can post their resumes on this site.
- Consideriowa.org is a program designed to promote career opportunities available in Iowa.
Testing (COMPASS Assessment)– COMPASS (Computerized Adaptive Placement Assessment and Support System) is designed to provide an assessment of your basic academic skills to help you and your advisor choose courses and plan your educational program. Included in the exam are tests in Writing, Reading, and Mathematics. COMPASS was created for individuals with little or no computer experience. It is user friendly with no time limit, and our staff is here to help. Practice tests are available in the career center, and study guides are available in the MCC Library. Results are generated immediately following completion of the test. The Career Center staff will interpret the results individually and your scores will go in your file in the admissions office. (There is also a version for students whose first language is not English.) More information about COMPASS is available online at www.act.org/compass. COMPASS sample tests are online at www.act.org/compass/sample.
CLEP Testing – The CLEP (College Level Examination Program) offers a wide range of college level exams, for which a student may receive college credit. If you have acquired knowledge through experience or prior academic learning that may be equivalent to college level courses, Marshalltown Community College offers the opportunity to get credit for that knowledge. CLEP is administered on the computer and is available for students from any college or university. There is a study guide with sample tests available for review at MCC’s Library. More details about CLEP testing at MCC are available by downloading the MCC CLEP Policy (click here). You can also visit CLEP’s website at www.collegeboard.com/clep.
Each exam costs $70 (payable to CLEP), plus a $15 per credit hour fee (payable to IVCCD). CLEP is given by appointment only. Click here to download a CLEP information sheet, or contact the center for more information.
ACT Testing – Marshalltown Community College serves as a National Testing Center for the ACT test. Testing takes place on Saturday mornings beginning at 8 a.m. and ending at Noon; the fee is $31 for the basic ACT test. Please check with us for current dates and times.
ACT Registration packets are available in the Career Center and study guides are available in the MCC Library. For more information you can also visit the ACT website at www.act.org.
Kuder Career Planning System – The Kuder Career Planning System is an innovative, internet-based system combining scientific interests, skills, and work values assessments along with comprehensive educational and occupational databases. The Kuder system is backed by over 65 years of research. The internet based delivery system allows for students to take the assessment at home or on campus at the Career and Employment Center. The assessments are brief, results are provided immediately, and the occupational databases provide very current and up to date information. Access to the system is free to MCC students and a counselor is available to help interpret results. For a Kuder user name and access code, contact Jim Merritt at (641) 844-5779. Once you have the user name and access code, Kuder is online at ivccd.kuder.com.
Dental Professional Testing – The Iowa Board of Dental Examiners has authorized Marshalltown Community College/Iowa Valley Community College District to administer certification exams of Dental Jurisprudence, Dental Hygiene Jurisprudence, Dental Assistant Radiography/Radiography, Dental Assistant Infection Control/Hazardous Materials, and Dental Assistant Jurisprudence. The administrative fee is $20 per exam with most tests lasting an hour. Contact our center for more information or to register.
GED Tests – GED tests are administered every Tuesday in room 512 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.. Special arrangements at other times can also be made. Pre-testing is required before testing. This is done in the Education and Training Center located downtown at 206 E. Church St, Marshalltown. There is no cost for the pre-tests. There is a $10/semester administrative fee for instruction; the final GED exams cost $85.
PRAXIS Series Exams – The Praxis is available for college students hoping to enter a teacher education program. There are three different sections--writing, reading and math. Exams are given on the MCC campus in November and March. Registration materials are available in the career center. More information is available online at www.ets.org/praxis.
CAAP Exam – The College Assessment of Academic Proficiency (CAAP) is given to all students who will graduate with an AA, AS, or AGS degree or complete 45 or more credits. This is an exit exam given to measure educational progress and is used as part of IVCCD's assessment efforts.
Other testing information is available concerning the SAT, GRE, TOEFL, and TABE.
Job Fairs – Each year Marshalltown Community College, Continuing Education and Buena Vista University host a Job Fair. The next one will be on April 1, 2009, and will be held on the MCC campus. 60 to 80 employers set up booths, giving students and area residents an opportunity to meet and discuss potential opportunities. Workshops are also offered.
|
|
