A career development center is a service, or group of programs directed at helping undergraduates, graduates, and alumni plan and cope with career transitions in an individual's every day life. While each center has their differences, all include career counselors who will sit down and work one-on-one with students and alumni.
One place to find a career development center is on, or nearby a college or university. Such centers cater to all students and alumni for all types of degrees and career goals. Here a student gets help from teachers and counselors on how to match their career to their personality, present skills and interests. They also help individuals discover which area, or areas, to major in as well as hone their interviewing skills, learn to negotiate salaries and locate internships.
Some hospitals and clinics include a career development center aimed at assisting and educating nurses and practitioners as they achieve their career goals. A few online web sites list a skills checklist that covers what is needed not only in order to succeed, but also to work with patients. Caregivers for the aging will find counselors and classes through a hospital career development center that explain how to take care of a loved one, where to go for help when they feel overwhelmed and what to do in case of emergencies. Some places also hold weekly and monthly gatherings where a group of caregivers can get together and discuss worries, concerns, and how they adjust to daily life with an aging parent.
Job fairs are sometimes conducted at a local career development center. This type of event enables students, graduates, alumni and others to interact with professionals in their desired field. Companies from all over the country set up booths and tables with presentations, pamphlets and brochures full of company information along with two or more company representatives who help answer questions. Potential employees learn about job requirements and what is expected of them should they become part of the team.
Many career development centers host an annual, or seasonal career crash course. This is short course, generally a day or weekend, where participants either sign up for free or pay a small fee. Look for advertisements on crash courses and sign up as soon as you can. There are only so many seats and free, or limited courses fill up fast.
A career development center offers individuals more than classes and conferences. Ask your college or university about their center's classes and counselors, or research a career development center online to find out more and how to enroll.
The YMCA (Young Men's Christian Association) and YWCA (Young Women's Christian Association) are among some of the most well known career development and learning centers in the United States and elsewhere. Both are nonprofit associations with emphasis on creating career and social opportunities for both men and women of any age and race. They provide child care for working families as well as training and employment openings for adults. Part of their agenda is to promote spiritual, emotional and physical growth through activities of the mind and body.
Both career development and learning centers provide exercise programs for the young to the aging. This includes the use of a large pool with some times public use and private use hours. Some work is done on paid services while others volunteer. Each aid becomes a mentor to children and adults in need of their services. Caring, respect, honesty and responsibility are taught to their members and staff.
Like the YMCA and YWCA, other career development and learning centers offer free and low fee classes to the public. These classes cover skills needed in professional careers like CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), or recreation and fitness, like water aerobics, kickboxing, exercise programs, volleyball and basketball.
Career development and learning directors insist on programs for people with learning disabilities. They require all program instructors to have a caring and nurturing attitude towards all individuals.
Many universities, institutions and colleges include studies on career development and learning with some online courses offered to the students. A few also include noncredit classes, traditional or vocational, for the public. Unlike credit college courses, the noncredit courses generally run for a day to a few weeks with a small fee. Generally, public centers offer more classes for the family to use together than universities and colleges.
With the United States ever growing population and need for family and job planning, career development and learning centers continue to be created to mentor, inform and educate. There are, of course, centers made specifically to work with children, some for adults working to find a job and to better themselves, but many are open as a way for families to learn together and be together in the ever changing world.
To find a career development and learning center in your area search a local phone book or directory, or go online and type in your hometown and area. Call or visit to learn how to join. Ask how to become a mentor if you have a desire to teach, have a caring attitude and work well with others.
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