Career Experience

What is Experiential Learning?

Experiential Learning provides real-world understanding that enhances academic success.  It is the process of learning through experience, where you are actively involved in the experience, reflect upon the activity, and apply the value of the experience to broader areas of life. Self-reflection empowers students to take charge of their own learning and make connections to launch their career journey.

Experiential Learning Types

Co-Curricular Learning: Activities related to course curriculum: ex. Public Speakers, Panels

Extra-Curricular: Activities that foster student involvement and strengthen the institution's culture; ex. Clubs, Student Organizations, Interest Groups, Sports

Field Experience: Activites related to career application; ex. Internships, Practicums, Job Shadowing

Service Learning/Community Service: Guided service to the community that is related to instruction; ex. Food Pantry, Habitat for Humanity

• Resume Example (PDF)
• Cover Letter Example (PDF)
• Dress for success (PDF)
• Cheat sheet (PDF)
• Elevator speech (Word Doc)
• Job Platforms (PDF/Word Doc)
• Boutique Morado:
  https://www.alamo.edu/nvc/experience-nvc/current-students/student-advocacy/home/

Career Coach

This online tool helps you explore careers based on your interests, research local labor market information, and search job opportunities  Use the assessment results to connect to education and training programs throughout the Alamo Colleges District.

https://alamo.lightcastcc.com/?radius=10%20miles&region=San%20Antonio

FOCUS 2

FOCUS 2 is is a great assessment tool to explore your interests, strengths and personality to help identify potential career options.

• Explore careers based on self-assessment
• Research careers associated with specific majors
• Compare occupations
• Learn important industry data and facts
• Northwest Vista Focus 2 Access Code: wildcats

https://www.focus2career.com/Portal/Login.cfm?SID=373

ONET

A comprehensive career exploration tool that provides detailed information on occupations, including job duties, required skills, education, salary data, and employment outlook. Useful for researching career expectations and aligning interests with workforce needs.

https://www.onetonline.org/

What Can I Do With This Major?

What Can I Do With This Major is a website that allows you to explore majors and career fields.  It provides information on common career paths, employers that hire in the field, and how to maximize opportunities.

• Discover career options related to your pre-major.
• Learn about employers hiring in specific fields.
• Learn strategies to make you a more marketable candidate.

https://whatcanidowiththismajor.com/

Alamo Colleges Program Finder

An online tool to explore Alamo Colleges degree and certificate programs by career interest, field of study, or college. 

https://www.alamo.edu/academics/program-finder/

• Alamo Colleges District Career Resources:
  https://careerservices.alamo.edu/
• Alamo on the Job:
  https://www.alamo.edu/experience-the-alamo-colleges/current-students/student-opportunities/alamo-on-the-job/
• Office of Workplace Learning:
  https://www.alamo.edu/link/e89c7466996740f5af79433d3785e677.aspx
• SA Ready to Work:
  https://www.alamo.edu/readytowork/

1) On-Campus Work-Study

A FAFSA-based job on campus that offers flexible hours around your classes. Earnings do not impact future financial aid.

2) Off-Campus Work-Study

A FAFSA-based job with approved community or nonprofit partners off campus, often focused on service and community support.

3) Part-Time Employment Positions

A regular paid job with Alamo Colleges that does not require FAFSA. Hours and pay vary, and earnings count as regular income.

4) Alamo on the Job (Paid Internships)

A paid internship program that connects students with employers to gain real-world, career-related experience while building skills and a professional resume.

Link to Student Employment Website: https://alamo.csod.com/ats/careersite/search.aspx?site=3&c=alamo

1. Handshake

• Registration Instructions:
  https://support.joinhandshake.com/hc/en-us/articles/219133047-Create-an-Employer-User-Account-Join-a-Company-and-Connect-with-Schools
• How to post a job Instructions:
  https://support.joinhandshake.com/hc/en-us/articles/218693198-How-to-Post-a-Job

2. Recruiting Opportunities

• Recruiting at events, Hosting an event/externship - email us at nvc-experience@alamo.edu

The Career Experience team provides professional development services that will assist students with:

• Career Exploration
• Job/Internship Search (on & off campus)
• Resume and Cover Letter Reviews
• Job Interview Preparation

Desert Willow Welcome Center (DWWC) - Main Floor

By Phone:

• (210) 486-4090

By Email:

• nvc-experience@alamo.edu

• Schedule an appointment with a Career Experience Navigator via our Navigate platform.
  
  
• Drop-in to Desert Willow Welcome Center (DWWC) 1^st floor.
  
  

Career assessments & online resources

• FOCUS 2: an online career assessment to help you identify careers based on work interests, values, personality, etc.
  
  
• Career Coach: an online tool that the help you identify potential careers and links them to pre-majors at the Alamo Colleges.
  
  
• What Can I Do With This Major?: Explore majors and career fields.
  
  

Absolutely! We can help with:

• Resume templates if you need help getting started.
  
  
• One-on-one resume/cover letter review appointments.
  
  
• Appointments to teach you how to align your resume & cover letter to specific jobs and highlight your most relevant skills and experience.
  
  

Yes! We can schedule a mock interview through our office or via Alamo Navigate.

Handshake  - our online platform where you can search for Part-time, Full-time and internship positions, register for career events, and connect with employers.

You can find the ‘card’ for Handshake in ACES. 

Your school email is already registered. Log in at Sign In | Handshake, complete your profile, and start exploring opportunities.

Appointments can be scheduled in ACES.

• Select ‘Career Services and Experiential Learning’

Give us a call at: (210) 486-4090

Email us at: nvc-experience@alamo.edu