Graduation Transition
LifeMap Stage
Students enrolled while completing 45 credit hours and beyond are completing their degrees and making plans for transfer to complete a bachelor's degree or preparing to enter the workforce. Students preparing for this transition can connect with Valencia resources to assist in this process.
Success Indicators
- Confirm the term you are graduating.
- Complete an associate's degree without exceeding the required number of credit hours by more than 15%.
- Apply for graduation by the appropriate deadline.
- Create a portfolio using My Portfolio that demonstrates achievements and skills.
- Document achievement of Valencia’s Core Competencies in My Portfolio.
- Prepare a plan for continuing education or employment after graduation from Valencia.
- Complete the first step in career plan.
- Write a resume that documents educational and workplace achievements and skills.
- Review resume with Career Advisor or Counselor.
- Update My Portfolio and create a "public view" that demonstrates your achievement and skills.
- Gather recommendation letters from staff, advisors, counselors and professors.
- Communicate to others what you have learned and what you can do orally and in writing.
- Maintain social connections made at Valencia with staff, students, advisors, counselors and professors for references and future opportunities.
- Document changes (technological, practices, laws, budgets, etc.) that may occur between the Associate Degree and employment.
Programs and Services
For more information about these programs, go to the Answer Center on any campus.
Career Centers
Students are encouraged to take advantage of the services offered in the Career Center. They will find assistance in assessing their preparedness in the career field of their choice, and advice about how to approach the job market. They can also research transfer decisions.
College Night
College Night is held each October. It has a dual purpose - to allow high school students to investigate college opportunities, and to allow transferring Valencia students to talk to representatives from many colleges and universities around the country. This year, we had over 170 representatives on hand to chat with our students about transfer requirements, housing, financial aid, and other relevant issues.
My Portfolio
Throughout their tenure at Valencia, students are encouraged to create a portfolio that illustrates their skills and experiences. My Portfolio is an electronic version of the portfolio that can be displayed in a public area for potential employers to review. As students near graduation, they can analyze the contents of their portfolio to determine the most relevant examples of mastery of each of Valencia's core competencies - Think, Value, Communicate, Act - at an advanced level in their academic programs.
Job Fairs
The Workplace Learning and Placement Office also arranges on-campus Job Fairs at which time students may meet employers who are actively recruiting. They have the opportunity to ask questions about potential employers, and get a first-hand impression of the companies represented.
Job Search Skills Course
Valencia offers a 1-credit course in Job Search Skills. Students learn to write resumes, compile portfolios, find leads, search the Internet, and utilize other skills in seeking employment. They also have the opportunity to participate in mock interviews.
Internship Services
Valencia boast one of the largest internship programs in Florida. Each year over 200 employers provide opportunities for more than 500 students in areas ranging from accounting to zoology. To see what opportunities are available, visit Internship Services.
Workforce Services
Workforce Services, a part of the Internship and Workforce Services department, is the means by which students and employers connect. Students may identify part-time or full-time opportunities, determine on-campus employer recruiting schedules by visiting Internship Services. Other Workforce Services may include:
- Dining Etiquette Workshop - Workshops are conducted by employers and Career Development Services staff to provide students with another opportunity to fine-tune their job search skills
- Employment Links - Links to job fairs, employer websites, etc.
- Employer Profile Series – An annual event co-coordinated with Career Development Services that highlights the career path of a specific business partner.
- Internship Fairs – Events designed to connect students with prospective internship employers
- My Job Prospects – online resource of thousands of employers in the Central Florida area.
Through the Internship and Workforce Services, students can connect with employers to gain valuable experience in their program/major. Students graduating with an AS degree may to take advantage of services which include assistance in setting up interviews, resume referral service, job interview resource materials. Students may identify employment opportunities in their career fields throughout the online job bank called First Place. They may also take advantage of the informational resource library on local businesses.