A previous SPSCC Career fair. Be sure to visit this years event on the 3rd of May!’

Community college is a challenging experience for anyone who is new to it, as it requires adjusting to a different way of studying and life. This is especially true for Running Start students who are trying to earn credits to graduate from college and succeed in life. Therefore, it is essential to know what kind of credits one needs to graduate and to find a job around, especially if one is not familiar with the correct steps to search for it. The Advising, Career, and Transfer (ACT) center, located in Building 22, is the place where students can get help to plan their classes for a quarter and keep track of their essential credits to graduate. There also the students can get help with finding jobs and internships for people who come in. It acts as a hub for whoever needs help getting through college at the moment, whether through educational assistance to point someone on the right path to their pathway. 

In an interview with Joe Aguilar, the manager of the ACT Center, he discussed the various job opportunities available at the center. Aguilar emphasized the importance of visiting the center before each quarter, especially for younger students such as Running Start students. He mentioned that there are a variety of jobs available in different areas, and that the center actively helps people find jobs and connect with employers. The center sends out emails to SPSCC students describing job opportunities, and offers mock interviews, resume building, and advice to anyone who asks for help, including alumni. SPSCC students also have free access to a website called Handshake, which works like LinkedIn and allows them to directly contact employers or apply to jobs. Aguilar highlighted an upcoming event called the Career Fair, which will take place on May 3rd from 10am-12pm in Building 31. The fair will bring employers, students, and members of the general public together to showcase different career fields and job opportunities in the Olympia community. Aguilar encouraged people to attend and take advantage of the opportunity to connect with employers and learn about different career options. There will also be a Pathways Day on May 10th, which is designed to help students understand the requirements for graduating from each pathway at SPSCC. The ACT Center’s motto, “we don’t follow our dreams, we chase ‘em,” emphasizes their passion for helping people achieve their goals and succeed in their chosen careers.