Students benefitting from Salem Community College Career Center

CARNEYS POINT, N.J. - Jan. 7, 2015 - PRLog -- As the facilitator between students and employers, Center director Mary Ellen Hassler speaks to classes, conducts workshops and holds job fairs.  In the fall semester, she promoted seasonal openings at the nearby Amazon fulfillment center where several SCC students have been hired.

Student Jose Hernandez Rivera uses the Career Center’s online career-exploration tool called FOCUS2.   “I have learned how my personality can be an advantage in certain majors, and learned more about my major and other options out there,” said Rivera, who is considering an engineering career.

“The Career Center is very helpful,” continued Rivera, who learned about the services when Hassler spoke to his accounting class.  “Mrs. Hassler discusses different careers that would be suitable.  It’s good for students who have their doubts and don’t know what career is the best option for them.”

Hassler’s PowerPoint presentation on interviewing skills was well received in SCC’s portfolio and professional practices course.  “It generated a nice amount of discussion,” said Associate Professor Mary Rodgers.  “Getting ready for the interview will certainly supplement other things they are studying in the course to prepare them to transfer or enter the workforce.”

When New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development Deputy Commissioner Dr. Aaron R. Fichtner visited the Career Center in August, he learned the center’s mission aligns with the DOL’s “Jobs4Jersey.com” initiative.

The Career Center is tied to SCC’s strategic initiative of developing and offering high-quality academic programs in high-demand fields in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).  The College’s STEM programs align with the State of New Jersey’s priorities in health care, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, financial services, technology and entrepreneurship.  STEM programs account for 67 percent of the College’s total enrollment.

Hassler has begun partnering with Paulsboro Refining Co., which started a degree program in Process Operator Technology at SCC last year.  Employers planning a spring visit to the Career Center include Mannington Mills, Noramco and PSEG Nuclear.

For more information about SCC’s Career Center, call Hassler at (856) 351-2651 or e-mail mhassler@salemcc.edu.


In Photo: Salem Community College student Jose Hernandez Rivera meets with SCC Director of Workforce Development Mary Ellen Hassler in the Career Center.