SOFT SKILLS & SUPPORT
CAREER SERVICES CENTER
CAREER SERVICES PUTS STUDENTS ON THE ROAD TO EMPLOYMENT As our culture gets more into technology and less into human-to-human contact, employers across all industries are concerned about a widespread trend among potential new hires: awkward handshakes, poor eye contact, inattentiveness and lack of engagement in conversations – in short, a lack of personable, professional behavior or what experts call “soft skills.”
Guiding students through a variety of workplace scenarios, the interactive technology tool allows students to choose the appropriate responses to a wide range of situations. Skills2Succeed is offered to alumni as well as students and is easily accessed online from the comfort of home once students come into a Career Services office to receive their personal access codes.
Fortunately, the experts at the Career Services Center at “It’s a bit like a flight simulator,” “You need NCTC are on the case and says Shannon Solomon, a to be able to engage devoted to the cause of Career Services advisor for professionally, shake coaching students in the the Corinth, Denton and a hand, look someone in type of “artful behavior” Graham campuses. “It lets the eye, speak confidently, some social experts fear you choose which response listen attentively and is on the way out the would be the most appropriate respond appropriately.” door of societal norms. and helps you recognize what the right thing to do is when “You need to be able to engage you’re confronted with similar professionally, shake a hand, look situations in your own life. It’s a fun someone in the eye, speak confidently, way to learn and develop necessary listen attentively and respond professional skills.” appropriately,” says Daphne Riddle, Career Services coordinator. Career Services advisors offer individualized career coaching appointments, assisting Her department has an entire program – students with interview preparation and and a slew of tools – designed to assist guiding them through the particulars of students in understanding and improving interacting appropriately with bosses, fellow their professional personas, and Riddle employees and customers. Coaching is says no detail is too small. both specific and nuanced, covering everything from career exploration to “We’ll teach you how to enter the room, portfolio development, so that students send a professional email, communicate are well-equipped to function in your skills and abilities, and listen in a professional settings. way that shows someone you are listening and what they say matters,” she explains. “What we do is kind of three-tiered, Solomon says. “We support students Added to the mix is a popular online with job preparation, getting a job and program called Skills2Succeed Academy. also maintaining a job.”
Where to find us NCTC has Career Services Centers on four campuses, and advisors meet with students at Graham’s administration offices and at the Mane Stop at the Denton Exchange by appointment. To schedule, call (940) 498-6259 or email careerservices@nctc.edu. Following is a list of the office locations.
Bowie Campus
Student Services Office (940) 872-4002
Corinth Campus Room 192 (940) 498-6259
Flower Mound Campus Room 109 (972) 899-8400
Gainesville Campus Room 114 (940) 668-7731
