The decision to go to college is a choice that is not taken lightly, and can be daunting without help.
And with 145 disciplines, 85 academic degree programs, and many certificates being offered to Pierce College’s 20,000 students, who can students go to to talk about their plans?
The Brahma counselors, of course.
The Meet The Counselors event gave students the opportunity to become acquainted with different counseling areas and learn more about the transfer process in Building 600 on Valentine’s Day.
There was pizza, a raffle, prizes and music for individuals to enjoy, and students and faculty took pictures at a photo booth with Valentine’s decorations and signs for attendees to hold.
Students can transfer from a community college within two years, or get their associate’s degree.
“I work with students with disabilities to help them with accommodations and assist them with their courses and educational plans,” Academic Accommodations Center Counselor Nishat Hamid said.
The room was decorated with heart shaped balloons, red and pink tablecloths and table booths for each counselor that attended the event. Bags were also given to students to use as souveniers and students, and faculty wore red and pink shirts for the occasion.
According to hospitality major Jessica McKissick, she continued her education to explore other passions she was interested in.
“I’m a retired chef, so I’m just getting more education because in the future I want to teach,” McKissick said. “I don’t know what I’m going to end up teaching, so might as well broaden the spectrum.”
Students who showed up to the event hung out with each other and played a game of bingo designed to provide them with facts and answers about university transfer and counseling services.
Some counselors at Pierce did not plan on pursuing this career, but according to Director and Counselor of International Student Services Abby Watson, she loves her job.
“I actually fell into it accidentally,” said Watson, who was initially getting her masters degree in psychology. “I was also working in education, so when I was doing that, I decided not to be a therapist, which is what I was going to school for and decided to focus on counseling education.”
