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 Located on the MCC Campus in room 510-512,
the Career & Employment Center serves students, alumni, employees, employers
and district residents. The Career & Employment Center is staffed by
personnel from MCC, Iowa Valley Continuing Education, and the State of
Iowa's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. For MCC students, alumni, and
the general public, the Center offers vocational rehabilitation services,
aptitude/interest testing, and employment services as follows:
For more information on our services, contact
Jim Merritt Ext 346, Jim.Merritt@iavalley.edu
or Sandy Supianoski Ext. 344,
Sandy.Supianoski@iavalley.edu .
The Career & Employment Center is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays
through Fridays, and some evenings by appointment.
List of Services:
Career Decision Making----Assistance is
provided in deciding on a career, choosing a major, or making a career
change. Staff will meet individually to assist in working through the
career decision-making process. A wide range of career assessment
instruments is available as well as a computerized career information system
(KUDER). Staff can also help explore the different programs
available at MCC. A Career Planning Course is available in which
one-hour of college credit can be earned.
Career Information---A
computerized career information system is available at no cost.
Choices has in-depth information on over 650 careers. Information
includes; job duties, education requirements, salary, working conditions,
future outlook, working conditions, physical requirements and links to other
career information. This information is up-to-date and online. The system also includes a search component that
matches personal career preferences, skills and interests with various
occupations.
Career
Assessment---A wide range of assessment
tools are available. Three different types of aptitude tests are
available. These help evaluate job strengths and weaknesses. The
aptitude score received can be compared to various occupational scores.
This can help in choosing a career that matches one’s strengths and
weaknesses. Wide ranges of aptitudes are measured, including general
learning ability, reading, math, spatial aptitude and hand-eye coordination.
An appointment is necessary.
 There are several types of interest inventories
available. Interest inventories measure areas of interest and relate
the interest to specific careers. The printouts make suggestions of
careers that one would find fulfilling. Inventories that are available
include the Career Assessment Inventory, the Strong Interest Inventory, the
Campbell Interest and Skill Survey, the Career Occupational Preference
System, the Reading Free Vocational Interest Inventory, and the Self
Directed Search. An appointment is suggested to determine which
instrument is most appropriate. A counselor will meet individually to
interpret results and help with decision-making. There is a fee, which
varies depending upon the instrument.
Job
Seeking Assistance—There is a listing of
area part-time and full-time jobs from the Marshalltown and surrounding
area. This list is updated weekly and includes a wide range of
openings. The list is printed and available at the center each
Wednesday or it can be accessed on the college’s web page.
Resume and interviewing assistance is available.
Individual appointments can be made by calling the center. There is
also a one-hour credit course available.
Students can also find valuable information at
Iowa Career Net, a source of online
jobs in Iowa. Students can also post their résumé's on the site.
TESTING—COMPASS
Assessment (Computerized Adaptive Placement
Assessment and Support System) is designed to provide an assessment of your
basic academic skills to help you and your advisor choose courses and plan
your educational program. Included in the exam are tests in Writing,
Reading, and Mathematics. COMPASS was created for individuals with
little or no computer experience. It is user friendly, no time limit,
and our staff is here to help. Results are generated immediately
following completion of the test. The Career Center staff will
interpret the results individually and your scores will go in your file in
the admissions office. (There is also a version for students whose
first language is not English)
Compass:
www.act.org/compass
CLEP Testing—The
CLEP (College Level Examination Program) offers a wide range of college
level exams, which a student may receive college credit. If you have
acquired knowledge through experience or prior academic learning that may be
equivalent to college level courses, Marshalltown Community College offers
the opportunity to get credit for that knowledge. CLEP is administered
on the computer. There is a study guide with sample tests available
for review at MCC’s Library. You can also visit CLEP’s website:
http://www.collegeboard.com/clep.
Each exam costs $60.00, plus a $25.00
registration fee. CLEP is given by appointment only.
Contact the center for more information.
ACT Testing—Marshalltown
Community College serves as a National Testing Center for the ACT test.
Testing takes place on Saturday mornings beginning at 8:00 a.m. and ending
at 12:00 p.m. Please check with us for current dates and times.
ACT Registration packets are available in the
Career Center. For more information you can also visit the ACT
website:
http://www.act.org.
Kuder Career Planning System- The
Kuder Career Planning System is an innovative, internet based system
combining scientific interests, skills, and work values assessments along
with comprehensive educational and occupational databases. The Kuder system
is backed by over 65 years of research. The internet based delivery system
allows for students to take the assessment at home or on campus at the
Career and Employment Center. The assessments are brief, results are
provided immediately, and the occupational databases provide very current
and up to date information. Access to the system is free to MCC students and
a counselor is available to help interpret results.
http://ivccd.kuder.com/
Dental Professional Testing - The Iowa Board of
Dental Examiners has authorized Marshalltown Community College/Iowa Valley
Community College District to administer certification exams of Dental
Jurisprudence, Dental Hygiene Jurisprudence, Dental Assistant
Radiography/Radiography, Dental Assistant Infection Control/Hazardous
Materials, and Dental Assistant Jurisprudence. The administrative fee
is $20 per exam with most tests lasting an hour. Contact our center
for more information or to register.
GED Tests—GED
tests are administered every Tuesday in room 512 from 8:00 to 4:30.
Special arrangements at other times can also be made. Pre-testing is
required before testing. This is done in the Learning Center located
at the Workforce Development Center or at the Education and Training Center
located downtown at 206 E. Church St, Marshalltown. There is no cost for the
pre-tests. The final GED exams costs $80.00.
NCIC/IOWA
Certification Tests - These tests are administered through an
agreement with the Iowa Department of Public Safety Field Services Bureau.
These are administered to law enforcement personnel that have dispatching
responsibilities.
PRAXIS Series Exams - The Praxis is available for
college students hoping to enter a teacher education program. There
are three different sections--writing, reading and math. Exams are
given on the MCC campus in November and March. Registration materials
are available in the career center.
www.ets.org/praxis
CAAP Exam
- (College
Assessment of Academic Proficiency)—The CAAP is given to all students who
will graduate with an AA, AS, or AGS degree or complete 45 or more
credits. This is an exit exam given to measure educational progress
and is used as part of Iowa Valley’s Community College’s assessment efforts.
Other testing information is available
concerning the SAT, GRE, TOEFL,TABE
Job Fairs—Each
year Marshalltown Community College, Continuing Education and Buena Vista
University host a Job Fair. This year’s will be on April 2, 2008
and will be held in Babe Harder gymnasium. 60 to 80 employers set up booths,
giving students and area residents an opportunity to meet and discuss
potential opportunities. Workshops are also offered.
Vocational Rehabilitation
Services
1)
Counseling and guidance
2)
Vocational evaluation and planning
3)
Financial assistance with college training/education
4)
Job placement services
For
Vocational Rehabilitation assistance contact Frank Hartzler at 515-752-7106,
ext. 345.
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