The
Career Center is providing students with resources to help prevent
them from majoring in the wrong field. The DISCOVER program, offered
at each campus, is a personal assessment that provides the student
with resources to determine which area of study is right for them.
The personal assessment takes about one to two hours.The assessment
has 90 questions on interests, abilities and work related skills.After
completing the assessment, the student will find out which field is
best for them.
Hilario
Hernandez at the Career Center said that most students trying to get
a degree in nursing, business or education, are not in the right field.
Photo by Miguel Favela
"Throughout
the years, working in the Career Center has been the most special
place to work because I get to help the students," said Hilario
H. Hernandez, Career Education Specialist.
"I strongly believe that EPCC should give more importance to
this department. This department should be operated by counselors
because it is the only way to reach students who are majoring in the
wrong field," says Hernandez.
According to Hernandez, students majoring in nursing, business and
education have the greatest percentage of working professionals that
are not in the right field.
"Through the years I have been talking to many administrators
who have asked me why the Discover tool is not offered from the beginning.
They should first go through Discover, before enrolling into college.
It will make sure the student is enrolled in the proper courses,"
says Hernandez.
"I strongly believe a great percentage of students at the college
level are wasting their money, time and taking the wrong courses.
The Career Center provides the tools for students to avoid this,"
says Hernandez.
"From my own personal experience from college, I unconsciously
abused my Pell Grant by taking the wrong courses," says Hernandez.
"I spent 144 hours in College when I only needed 65 credits,
because I did not have anyone to lead me in the right direction,"
says Hernandez.
"I learned the hard way. I am here at EPCC to focus on students'
needs and help make more professionals, instead of having students
say they wasted their time," said Hernandez.
Eddie Davila, a full-time student majoring in Bio-Chemistry says,
"I have seen a presentation on the Discover program conducted
by Mr. Hernandez. He is living proof that the program works."
"I really recommend that students go to the Discover Program.”
“If they are not confident in their major or don't know what
to major in … it will help because they will not have to worry
about failure and wasting their time," says Davila.
