Freda Leslie Pillow, GCDF
Academic Advisor- Health Careers
“Ongoing events, activities, and resources are being developed to provide support services and information to pre-admission allied health students. This will help them gain admittance to the health programs and also to educate pre-admission allied health majors on career options in the event they are not accepted into their desired program. This will be done through workshops, networking meetings, print and electronic media communications, and education employment forums."
Health Career Education Success Advice
from Freda Leslie Pillow, Academic Advisor-Health Careers
Those with a degree are more marketable in the workforce than those competing without a degree.
In order to get the most from the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Career-Entry degree programs offered at Columbia State Community College, students must become actively engaged in their own success.
Involvement must be on a regular basis in order to obtain the necessary guidance in making informed decisions about education.
Some of the ways students get the most from career-entry degree programs:
• Attend program orientations and information sessions
• Meet with faculty advisor on a regular basis
• Participate in group and tutorial sessions prior to encountering challenges
• Be present at health career readiness workshops and networking sessions
• Explore the suggested Health Career Websites
http://www.columbiastate.edu/Health-Career-Links
• Look for updated information found on the Health Career Advising weblink
Additional Health Career Education Success Advice:
• Know the prerequisites for admission and acceptance to desired program
• Exceed the requirements to compete. GPA and entrance tests are important
• Get to know your professors
• Learn the acceptance criteria for other closely related programs
• Set your goals but be flexible about your goals
• If one goal doesn't work, be prepared to change. Many times Plan B is better
• Talk with professionals to learn about the career
• Do volunteer work in the field of your choice
• Check your Columbia State email account for important alerts
• Get the Tassel from Columbia State Community College!
Contact:
Freda Leslie Pillow, GCDF
Academic Advisor-Health Careers
(931) 540-2778
fpillow@columbiastate.edu
www.columbiastate.edu/Health-Career-Advising
HOW TO FIND YOUR FACULTY ADVISOR
- Login to your myChargerNet (myCN) account
- Click STUDENT tab located at the top of the page
- Click MY ADVISOR listed with the Self-Service links
Contact information can be found at Columbia State's website: http://www.columbiastate.edu/directory.cfm
HOW TO RUN A DEGREE AUDIT
Log into myChargerNet. Go to STUDENT tab. Click on the RUN DEGREE AUDIT link on the Self Service menu. Click on "What If Analysis" and follow the below steps:
- Select a term, which means catalog year
- Select a program, which means a degree or certificate
- Select a major.
(Note: you will have to select "AAS degrees-Health Sciences" for Nursing, Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Care, or Veterinary Technology)
For additional details on HOW TO INTERPRET go to: http://www.columbiastate.edu/degree-audit-checksheets
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY http://www.columbiastate.edu/ems
Click here to download the program flyer.
NURSING http://www.columbiastate.edu/nursing
Click here to download the program flyer.
RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY http://www.columbiastate.edu/radiology
Click here to download the program flyer.
RESPIRATORY CARE http://www.columbiastate.edu/respiratory-care
Click here to download the program flyer.
VETERINARY TECHNOLOGY http://www.columbiastate.edu/veterinary-technology
Click here to download the program flyer.
CAREER TIPS
Top Five Things Managers Look for When Hiring
1) Relevant experience
Twenty-three percent of hiring managers say the candidate's ability to relate their experience to the job at hand is the most important factor in the hiring decision. Unfortunately, new graduates often underestimate the experience they have through internships, part-time jobs and extracurricular activities, but 63 percent of hiring managers say they view volunteer activities as relevant experience.
2) Fit within the company culture
Just because you look good on paper doesn't mean you're a shoo-in for the job. To 21 percent of employers, the trait they most want to see in a candidate is the ability to fit in with co-workers and the company. Offering up a blank stare when the interviewer asks why you are the right fit for the job will not go over well. Just be yourself, but mind your i's -- never insult, interrupt or irritate the interviewer. This can also be evaluated by that "unimportant" small talk at the beginning of an interview or non-job-related questions like "What was the last book you read?"
3) Educational background
Nineteen percent of hiring managers place the most emphasis on your educational background: the institution you attended, major, minor and degree earned. Be sure to also include courses taken and completed projects if relevant to the job. With grade point average, it's tricky. A good rule of thumb is to omit it unless it is 3.0 or higher and denote if it's your overall or major GPA.
4) Enthusiasm
Passion for the job is the top characteristic 19 percent of employers look for in a candidate. Employees who are passionate about their jobs tend to be more productive workers. The answer to "Why do you want to work here?" should always focus on the strengths of the company and the challenge of the position, not the perks. A "take or leave it" attitude about the job will leave the employer feeling the same about you.
5) Preparedness
Eight percent of hiring managers say the ideas you bring to the table and the questions you ask carry the most significance. Come in prepared to discuss how your qualifications can specifically contribute to the success of the company. Actually put yourself in that role and explain how you would perform your work and ways to improve it.