Looking for help with your professional career? Don’t know what to do after graduation? The Rock Valley College Career Services and Placement office may be your next stop. Located on the second floor of the student center, the Career Services department offers many resources to students, for free.
Markiese Morgan, the Career Services Specialist, says their department offers a few different opportunities to students.
“We do career assessments, for those who don’t really know what they want to do, we have them take two different tests,” Morgan says.
These tests include a personality assessment, as well as a career assessment. The results of those tests show students what may interest them.
This is just one service of the Career Services office. Another service they specialize in is resumes.
“We build resumes, and update them. Resumes are what we call a living document, so it always needs to be updated so we help with that.”
Morgan makes it clear that resumes are a crucial element in any career. This is the first thing a potential employer sees, “if you have a bad resume, they will not take the time or effort to get to know you. Your resume really just speaks for you.”
At certain times in the semester, the Career Services office has something called a “Resume Workshop”. At these events, you will get professional help from the Career Services team on how to navigate your resume. Workshops can be attended in person, or virtually.
Dates for resume workshops will be announced at least a month in advance. Students will be able to find out if a workshop is coming up through outreach on social media, school posters, and through RVC student emails.
Placement services before and after graduation are also available to students. Morgan says they have around 500 connections with businesses in the Rockford area, encouraging students to try the job before graduation. “We try our best to place students into career fields before they graduate so that they get to experience it.”
If a student cannot attend a workshop or event, there are other options. “We will do anything to become accessible to you,” says Morgan. “If you need us to come to a location on campus, we will meet you there”.
Phone and virtual interviews are also offered. Students can set up appointments by going to TheNest, stopping by their office, or calling 815-921-4121.
