2022-23 Unit Plan
Career Counseling

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

Student Learning/Administrative Unit Outcomes

Standards/Goals for Student Achievement (Instruction Departments)

Standards/Goals for Student Achievement (All Other Departments)

Strategic Direction

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

Future Development Strategies

Strategy 1 - Open & pilot the Career Planning Hub

Establish a Career Studio - an open lab environment where students can drop in to explore pathways and design a career devlopment plan. Example of services/resourses in Hub:

Self-Discovery via Career Assessments & Reflection Process

Personality

Values and Workplace Preferences

Skills & Interests

Learning Style

Desired Lifestyle

Research Careers

Online Research of Possible Careers, e.g. Labor Market Data and Career Videos

In-Person Research, e.g. Informational Interviews

Studio Builds More Comprehensive Webpage(s) & Video Production

Examine Academic Pathways

Connect Degrees with Careers

Identify Level of Education Required

Assess Academic Difficulty, Requirements and Prerequisites

4-Year Colleges/Universities

Scholarships

Admission Process, e.g. essays

Academic Support – Online, SI and Tutoring

Visit Instructional Departments

Initiatives

Enhancing a Culture of Completion and Goal Achievement
Supporting Student, Faculty and Staff Success
Using Data-Informed Processes for Continuous Improvement
Maximizing Resources to Support Student Learning
Enhancing a Culture of Equity and Inclusiveness

Supporting Rationale

Students are limited to 6 years of Pell Grant

Financial Aid will soon only cover courses within elected major

Students who enter a program of study within their first year were twice as likely to complete/transfer compared to students who entered a study after their first year

33% of low-income, first generation students are undecided about their major during their first year

Supporting Rationale Alignment
Supports the College's Strategic Direction and Priorities: Yes
Supports Program Review Recommendations: Yes
Supports Course level SLOs: Yes
Supports PLOs: No
Supports ILO - Think Critically: No
Supports ILO - Communicate Competently: No
Supports ILO - Engage Collaboratively: No
Supports ILO - Work Effectively: No
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Credentials: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Transfer: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Time to Degree: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Employment in field of Study: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Reducing Equity Gaps: Yes

Strategy 2 - Increase dual enrollment offerings

Career and Life Planning courses (CLP 101) offered to high school students; a dual enrollment Get Focused…Stay Focused program

Initiatives

Enhancing a Culture of Completion and Goal Achievement
Supporting Student, Faculty and Staff Success
Using Data-Informed Processes for Continuous Improvement
Maximizing Resources to Support Student Learning
Enhancing a Culture of Equity and Inclusiveness

Supporting Rationale

Students how have earned 6 or more college units by the time they graduate high school are twice as likely to complete/transfer than students entering with no units

Aligns with Guided Pathways initiative

College and career readiness

Informed, declared major and career path prior to first term

Demystifies the college-going process, especially for future firs generation college students

Supporting Rationale Alignment
Supports the College's Strategic Direction and Priorities: Yes
Supports Program Review Recommendations: Yes
Supports Course level SLOs: No
Supports PLOs: No
Supports ILO - Think Critically: No
Supports ILO - Communicate Competently: No
Supports ILO - Engage Collaboratively: No
Supports ILO - Work Effectively: No
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Credentials: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Transfer: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Time to Degree: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Employment in field of Study: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Reducing Equity Gaps: Yes

Strategy 3 - Contribute towards campus Guided Pathways initiative

Contribute to the Guided Pathways Steering Committee by developing meta majors, linking degrees with careers and labor market information, as well as bridging Career Counseling website with Guided Pathways website

Create videos about areas of study (meta majors) for Guided Pathways website

Participate in at least one Guided Pathways Institute

Initiatives

Enhancing a Culture of Completion and Goal Achievement
Supporting Student, Faculty and Staff Success
Using Data-Informed Processes for Continuous Improvement
Maximizing Resources to Support Student Learning
Enhancing a Culture of Equity and Inclusiveness

Supporting Rationale

Aligns Strategic Direction and Student Equity Plan

Supporting Rationale Alignment
Supports the College's Strategic Direction and Priorities: Yes
Supports Program Review Recommendations: Yes
Supports Course level SLOs: No
Supports PLOs: No
Supports ILO - Think Critically: No
Supports ILO - Communicate Competently: No
Supports ILO - Engage Collaboratively: No
Supports ILO - Work Effectively: No
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Credentials: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Transfer: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Time to Degree: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Employment in field of Study: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Reducing Equity Gaps: Yes

Strategy 4 - Enhance online resources and virtual services

Update online Career Counseling resources

Increase awareness of Career Counseling

Continue to upgrade technology (e.g., delivery of assessment [interpretation] results online)

Integrate Career Counseling website w/ CAAC pages

Canvas course for career planning

Design new web pages, e.g. What Can I Do With My Major

Portfolium - e-portfolio platform

Connect Academic Work to Job Skills

Digital Badging System to Track and Display Skill Development

Identify Potential Skills Gaps

Initiatives

Enhancing a Culture of Completion and Goal Achievement
Supporting Student, Faculty and Staff Success
Using Data-Informed Processes for Continuous Improvement
Maximizing Resources to Support Student Learning
Enhancing a Culture of Equity and Inclusiveness

Supporting Rationale

Expand awareness of career readiness and labor market information for career life planning, life management and self-awareness

Assist students with setting a career goal and choosing a major while attending Butte College

Assist students with resources and tools to make better informed and timely decisions

Supporting Rationale Alignment
Supports the College's Strategic Direction and Priorities: Yes
Supports Program Review Recommendations: Yes
Supports Course level SLOs: No
Supports PLOs: No
Supports ILO - Think Critically: No
Supports ILO - Communicate Competently: No
Supports ILO - Engage Collaboratively: Yes
Supports ILO - Work Effectively: No
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Credentials: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Transfer: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Time to Degree: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Employment in field of Study: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Reducing Equity Gaps: Yes

Strategy 5 - Offer work-based learning opportunities to dashboard students

Mentorships – Faculty, Alumni, Business Leaders

Informational Interviews

Job Shadows

Internships/Apprenticeships - with Internship Database

Field Trips/Worksite Tours

Workshops

Seminars/Conferences

Volunteering/Service-Learning – studio would create and organize opportunities

Guest Speakers

Undergraduate Research

Campus Clubs/Student Government

Networking Events, e.g. Diversity Career Symposium

BLOG Website or LinkedIn Group – Advice from Hiring Managers/Recruiters

Industry-Specific Career Fairs

Initiatives

Enhancing a Culture of Completion and Goal Achievement
Supporting Student, Faculty and Staff Success
Using Data-Informed Processes for Continuous Improvement
Maximizing Resources to Support Student Learning
Enhancing a Culture of Equity and Inclusiveness

Supporting Rationale

Supports Strategic Direction, Student Equity Plan, and Vision for Sucess goals

Supporting Rationale Alignment
Supports the College's Strategic Direction and Priorities: Yes
Supports Program Review Recommendations: Yes
Supports Course level SLOs: No
Supports PLOs: No
Supports ILO - Think Critically: No
Supports ILO - Communicate Competently: No
Supports ILO - Engage Collaboratively: No
Supports ILO - Work Effectively: No
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Credentials: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Transfer: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Time to Degree: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Employment in field of Study: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Reducing Equity Gaps: Yes

Strategy 6 - Instructional Integration

Career Curriculum Development for Classes & Sample Assignments

Major or Department Specific Events

Classroom Visits

Needs Assessment Delivered to All Instructional Departments

Referral Process for Faculty

Tool Kit for Instructors

Facilitate research-based project competitions per COI

Initiatives

Enhancing a Culture of Completion and Goal Achievement
Supporting Student, Faculty and Staff Success
Using Data-Informed Processes for Continuous Improvement
Maximizing Resources to Support Student Learning
Enhancing a Culture of Equity and Inclusiveness

Supporting Rationale

Supports Strategic Direction, program review reccomendations and Vision for Success goals.

Supporting Rationale Alignment
Supports the College's Strategic Direction and Priorities: Yes
Supports Program Review Recommendations: Yes
Supports Course level SLOs: No
Supports PLOs: No
Supports ILO - Think Critically: No
Supports ILO - Communicate Competently: No
Supports ILO - Engage Collaboratively: No
Supports ILO - Work Effectively: No
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Credentials: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Transfer: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Time to Degree: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Employment in field of Study: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Reducing Equity Gaps: Yes

Requested Non-Financial Resources

Assistance from Web Developer with the redeisn of Career Counseling website
Administrative support from Dual Enrollment Coordinator to establish and manage CLP 101 courses on local high school campuses

Current Financial Resources

Career Counseling:

SII and MBTI Career Assessments (SEA) $8,218

Augmentation Requests

Original Priority	Program, Unit, Area	Resource Type	Account Number	Object Code	One Time Augment	Ongoing Augment
Description	Supporting Rationale		Potential Alternative Funding Sources		Prioritization Criteria
1	Career Counseling	Operating Expenses	110007051634002	4500	$0.00	$8,218.00
Career Assessments for One-On-One Sessions	Student development theories suggest that students complete degrees at higher rates when they have clear goals. With student appointments averaging over an hour, Career Counselors are able to spend more time with students than our colleagues. This personal connection to the college is known to increase a sense of belonging, and student retention. Career Counseling offers two career assessments, which help students to make informed decisions regarding their educational and career goals. Students must visit a Career Counselor to receive their results, which provides us another opportunity to interact one on one with students. During 2016 we were able to offer the assessments free of charge. Beginning Fall 2018, we no longer have funds to do so. We must now soon charge students $23 to cover the cost. For many college students, this fee is a roadblock to access. There is a staggering difference in assessment administration when we charge students. Please see attachment. For the calendar year 2015, Career Counseling charged for assessments and administered 70 assessments. During calendar year 2016, assessments were free, and Career Counseling administered 184 assessments. The Student Equity Dashboard (2015) reveals that dashboard students at Butte College have low program completion and transfer rates, as well as low remedial course completion rates. Since we know that clear goals and a connection to the campus community contribute to retention efforts, it is imperative that these students have access to career assessments free of charge. Career Counseling seeks funding to purchase 650 electronic versions of our assessments to ensure equitable access to our services.		Instructional Equipment Student Equity and Achievement Program		Meeting California Community Colleges Vision for Success Goals Addressing Program Review Recommendations Meeting student achievement goals (Vision for Success Goals) Meeting enrollment targets
2	Career Counseling	Operating Expenses			$0.00	$6,000.00
Focus 2	Focus 2 is the replacement for Vita Navis. Eureka, Me3 and Hobson's serves different purpose than Focus 2.		Strong Workforce Student Equity and Achievement Program		Meeting California Community Colleges Vision for Success Goals Addressing Program Review Recommendations Implementing Guided Pathways: a. Strategic Scheduling; b. Hobsons Starfish Closing Equity Gaps Meeting student achievement goals (Vision for Success Goals)
3	Career Counseling	Operating Expenses	110007051634002	55890	$0.00	$395.00
Eureka - Maintain License to Use Web-Based Career Exploration and Development Platform	Continued access to this career assessment platform as part of the matriculation process will: - Enhance early career literacy development and produce informed and timely choices - acquiring a comprehensive student educational plan sooner; - Increase connection to career services - building a stronger bridge between newly enrolled students and in-person career counseling.		Instructional Equipment Student Equity and Achievement Program		Meeting California Community Colleges Vision for Success Goals Addressing Program Review Recommendations Meeting student achievement goals (Vision for Success Goals) Meeting enrollment targets Closing Equity Gaps
4	Career Counseling	Operating Expenses			$18,000.00	$45,000.00
Portfolium - Platform to guide students through career planning modules with badging system	Portfolium will move the program matrics, with the ability to measure outcomes through comparing groups of students who utilized the platform versus students who did not. We would also be able to obtain quite a bit of qualitative data via surveying users. The 1st year would entail piloting with two CTE departments, one to two CTE focused clubs (i.e. Ag Ambassadors), sessions during Summer Bridge, Roots, and Roadrunner Rush, and visiting high schools within low-income areas to target economically disadvantaged students. This game plan is doable considering that I am now a part of the Career & Academic Assessment Center (previously known as the Assessment Center), which is staffed by 4 additional employees eager to prepare students for employment/transfer. Portfolium aims to increase engagement, retention, and credit attainment by guiding students to archive curricular and extra-curricular accomplishments that are connected to career-relevant competencies and 21st Century Skills. The Pathways and badging system can be embedded into a non-credit CTE/workforce preparation course. I am considering offering CLP 300 through our soon-to-be Career Studio; an open entry/exit course where Portfolium would be one of the focal points to help students set goals, plan, take action, and document their successes. Whether or not this course will be offered, the CTE Pathway within Portfolium will still exist with the main objective to help students obtain employment/paid internship/apprenticeship before or after degree attainment. The Transfer Pathway within Portfolium will have modules on admission requirements, internships, community service, scholarships, etc. , and of course, there will be a pathway/modules to strengthen workforce readiness such as building soft skills, resume writing, interviewing, and networking. Lastly, Portfolium aims to ensure that optimal median annual earnings are met upon exit through building career and financial literacy (exploring careers with labor market data, the true cost of living, identifying desired lifestyle, etc).		Career and Technical Education - Perkins Strong Workforce Student Equity and Achievement Program		Meeting California Community Colleges Vision for Success Goals Addressing Program Review Recommendations Implementing Guided Pathways: a. Strategic Scheduling; b. Hobsons Starfish Closing Equity Gaps Meeting student achievement goals (Vision for Success Goals) Fostering a Culture of Inclusiveness Improving Processes: a. Data and Reporting; b. Internal Communications
5	Career Counseling	Operating Expenses			$0.00	$45,000.00
Textbooks for High School Students - Curriculum for students enrolled in CLP 101/Get Focused...Stay Focused (Dual Enrollment)	Although many high schools are interested in providing a dual enrollment option for Get Focused...Stay Focused courses, there is often financial limitations to purchase needed textbooks.		Instructional Equipment		Meeting California Community Colleges Vision for Success Goals Addressing Program Review Recommendations Meeting student achievement goals (Vision for Success Goals)
6	Career Counseling	Operating Expenses			$0.00	$5,000.00
Me3 Platform for Guided Pathways Home Page	Platform will be embedded within college's Guided Pathways pages to help direct students to their top communities of interest		Strong Workforce Student Equity and Achievement Program		Meeting California Community Colleges Vision for Success Goals Addressing Program Review Recommendations Implementing Guided Pathways: a. Strategic Scheduling; b. Hobsons Starfish Meeting enrollment targets Meeting student achievement goals (Vision for Success Goals)