Career decision-making is a process that involves time, self-study, and planning. Too often, it is assumed that a decision regarding a career or educational major can be made quickly or on the basis of some test. Instead, students need to develop their ability to make good decisions, clarify their understanding of themselves, and enrich their knowledge of work possibilities in the world. When students develop these career planning skills, they are in a better position to make informed decisions regarding their educational majors and potential careers.

• Career Counseling
• The Career Decision Making Process
• Career Planning Classes
• Career Resource Center
• CHOICES PLANNER Career Guidance System

• Location and Hours
• Appointments
• Crises During Office Hours
• Crises Outside Office Hours

Professionally-trained counselors assist students individually regarding vocational and educational concerns. When appropriate, career interest inventories (such as the Strong Interest Inventory) are sometimes utilized as part of this process, for a nominal fee.

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Every semester, one-credit, pass-fail sections of career planning (EDUC 124) are offered. These classes are excellent for students who need in-depth, comprehensive guidance in the career decision-making process. They are offered for one hour of pass-fail credit (look under Education in the Registration Schedule).

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A library of materials is available for students to obtain information regarding career opportunities. Counseling staff, including a graduate assistant, are available to assist students in using these materials. Library materials include Dictionary of Occupational Titles, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Encyclopedia of Career, Vocational Biographies, and numerous books, pamphlets, and brochures. In addition, information on other educational institutions can be obtained through books, computer programs and web sites in the career resource center. Information on programs at various colleges, universities, trade schools, and technical schools is available. Also, information is available on graduate programs, medical, dental, veterinary, and law schools.

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NDSU students now have access to the online Choices Planner Career Guidance System, which helps students explore career possibilities independently. The Choices Planner system can assist with exploring career direction, or learning about graduate schools or different careers. The first time you visit the site, you will need to click on "create a new portfolio". In order to do this, call the Counseling Center at 231-7671 or stop by Ceres 212 to ask for a the Site ID and password. Then visit www.bridges.com Career counselors are available to help you with your career decision.

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The Counseling Center is located at 212 Ceres Hall. Hours are M/W/F 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and T/Th 8:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. during the school year, and M-F 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. during summer and school breaks.

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Unless you are in crisis, we suggest that you schedule an appointment in advance. To make an appointment, you may call the Counseling Center at 231-7671 and specify that you wish to make an appointment for personal counseling.

If you have not been here before, you will be scheduled for an Initial Consultation. During this initial session, the consulting counselor will listen to your concerns, obtain information about you, assess your needs, and discuss available resources. Ongoing counseling with a member of the counseling staff and/ or other referral possibilities may be arranged.

If you have been here before and are already working regularly with a particular counselor, the front desk staff will schedule an appointment for you with your counselor. If it has been some time since you were last seen, or the counselor you worked with before is no longer available, you may need to be scheduled for a Return Consultation.

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The Counseling Center has a staff member designated to handle emergencies and crises at 10:00 AM each morning and 2:00 PM each afternoon. It is helpful to call before coming to the Counseling Center in order to determine counselor availability.

Realizing that emergencies are not predictable, we will respond to emergencies which cannot fit into our posted emergency hours. When calling, be sure to tell the receptionist that you have an emergency and need to be seen at the earliest possible time.

NOTE: If you are having a medical emergency, please call 911 for help.

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If you are an NDSU student in crisis after hours or over the weekend, please call our main number, 231-7671. During the academic year, your call will be taken by our answering service and assistance will be offered. For crises outside our office hours during summer and school breaks, please call the 24-hour FirstLink hotline at 235-7335.

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We discourage people from contacting us via e-mail regarding personal problems. The nature of e-mail is such that we cannot guarantee the confidentiality of your correspondence, nor do we find e-mail communications as useful as in-depth, face-to-face contact. Moreover, we cannot guarantee that we will read e-mail right away or respond in a timely fashion.