Career Counseling
What is career counseling?
Career counseling works with students to help them understand the relationship between self (inside information) and the world of work (outside information). Any students having questions or problems with, but not limited to, career or academic major decisions, family pressures and work anxiety may want to consider going to career counseling.
The goal of career counseling is to help students to better understand their personality, interests, values, and skills. This self-understanding will allow for students to make knowledgeable decisions throughout their lives towards the world of work such as requirements, opportunities, and limitations. Career counseling will equip students with the capabilities to make confident choices about their goals and career in order to be more successful going forward into the world.
How do I sign up?
The services provided by career counseling are free and available to all students at Western Michigan University. A small fee ($20) is charged for the IMPACTeX Navigator, which is a career assessment that students can choose to take. Students who are interested in receiving career counseling should visit the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services- Kalamazoo located on the third floor of Sangren Hall in office 3341. Students can also call (269) 387-5105 to get assistance with setting up an appointment.
Students seeking career counseling should leave one hour of their time open in order to complete the initial intake session, and should show up 10-15 minutes prior to the first session in order to fill out some necessary paperwork. Students receiving career counseling will have all expectations of confidentiality between them and their counselor met.
Career exploration and development
Career Exploration and Development (UNIV 1020) is a course offered at Western Michigan University to all undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled.
This course is a great way for any student to get started on their career path. The primary goal of UNIV 1020 is for students to learn a procedure for educational and career decision-making that will be useful now and throughout the students' lives. UNIV 1020 will provide students with skills such as researching, analyzing, synthesizing, good decision making, and planning and implementing goals.
UNIV 1020 is a one-credit hour class offered in the fall and spring semesters. The class will primarily revolve around group interaction and independent study. Students attending UNIV 1020 will also be required to attend a career counseling session, in order to get one on one assistance in developing their career action plan.
Students will also participate in a career assessment, called the IMPACTeX Navigator, which will help students better understand themselves and how they relate to careers and the world of work.