MCCCD Program Description

Career and Professional Preparation for the Helping Professions

Course: CAP260

First Term: 2021 Fall

Lecture 3.0 Credit(s) 3.0 Period(s) 3.0 Load
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: S - Standard Load

Description: Overview of the process of career and life planning through self-awareness for students interested in helping fields. Focus on current occupational trends and outlook, the learning models of the individual, the world of work, and decision-making. Emphasis on individual application and workplace diversity. Design materials for use in the professional world such as resumes, online presence, career portfolio.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Analyze the process of career and life planning for prospective helping professionals. (I-VII) 2. Interpret personal characteristics such as interests, values, and skills related to career theory and decision-making. (I-III) 3. Synthesize career information using multiple sources such as online resources, networking, informational interviews and professional development experiences. (III, IV) 4. Evaluate occupational fit with a career of interest in the helping professions using field specific research and self-reflection. (I-VII) 5. Evaluate the role of support systems, self-care, stress management, and resiliency for professional success in the helping fields. (V) 6. Demonstrate effective goal strategies to develop short, mid, and long term goals for career and personal development. (VI) 7. Prepare for job search activities such as researching, interviewing and networking. (V-VII) 8. Develop materials for use in the professional world such as a resume, online presence, and career portfolio. (II-IV, VI, VII)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Defining terms A. Survey of helping professions B. Career planning C. Life planning D. Professional development stages II. Self-awareness and appraisal A. Personality B. Values C. Beliefs D. Interests E. Needs F. Skills and abilities G. Cultural identities H. Locus of control I. Strengths J. Change and adaptability K. Decision making III. World of work and career theories A. Historic and current trends in the world of work B. Social and cultural context(s) C. Social barriers and privilege D. Lifespan and career development theories IV. Helping professional field A. Environmental factors and settings B. Education requirements C. Professional requirements D. Standards and expectations E. Occupational outlook and trends F. Resources 1. Technologies 2. Professional organizations G. Diversity considerations V. Resiliency for the helping professions A. Etiology and symptoms of compassion fatigue and burnout B. Techniques for addressing symptoms C. Interpersonal relationships and support D. Work/life balance for well-being VI. Goal setting A. Strategies B. Timeline 1. Short-term 2. Mid-term 3. Long-term VII. Job search process A. Resources for job search B. Networking and research C. Career and application materials D. Interviewing skills

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: April 27, 2021

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.