Careers & Internships FAQ

1. Is there a career test I can take at Pima to see what kind of careers would be a good fit for me?
Pima offers the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, a personality assessment test, and the Strong Interest Inventory, a career assessment test for a fee of $15 per test.

Once the tests are complete, you can schedule an appointment with a counselor at Pima to interpret the results of the assessments. Counselors and advisors can also suggest other online tests that can help identify your interests and personality traits. 

2. I have no idea what I want to major in or do with my life. Can someone help me decide?
Make an appointment with a PCC counselor to talk about this decision. They can help you learn more about yourself, your values, academic strengths and weaknesses, interests and goals. 

3. How can I find out more about careers?

• Take STU 109, Making Career Choices, a two-credit Student Success course, which will help you develop the skills necessary to make career choices.
• Visit career centers and libraries and use the research materials.
• Job Shadow a person in a place of business.
• Interview someone in a business situation who will not mind spending time with you to answer questions you have regarding the particular career.

4. How important is it to select a major (degree/certificate program)?
You select a major so that you will attain the education and training needed to achieve your career goal. Courses within a major give you the background that you will eventually use in your career.

Pima offers certificates and degrees in a wide variety of areas. Some can be completed in a short period of time and others take longer. Special PCC programs provide intensive, fast-track job training. Talk to an advisor or counselor to find out what programs might be right for you.

5. What services does PCC offer for someone who has recently lost a job?
Counselors can assist current or prospective students in examining their job and career options and identifying PCC programs of interest. They can also refer students to appropriate community services. Counselors at the college can assist students with job search resources and in using websites such as Jobing.com (a search for local jobs and local employers.)

6. How do I find out what top careers are in demand? How about salaries?
Many resources provide information on careers in demand. Labor Market Information may be found in the Occupational Outlook Handbook, O*NET and campus-printed career library materials.

Salary information can be obtained through many of the sources listed above. People employed in the field of work and college faculty also are excellent sources of salary information in their fields.

1. Does PCC have a job placement service?
Students are assisted in conducting their own job searches through a variety of resources. Use MyCareerLink on the MyPima Student Resources tab to find local and national job listings.  The Pima Career website also provides links to other job search websites that identifying local, state and national jobs.  Federal work study positions are available through the MyPima Financial Aid tab for eligible students to work on-site at the College.

2. Are there resources to help me write a résumé, cover letter and job applications?
Available resources include:

• books in campus libraries and career service areas.
• PCC Résumé Guide
• individual training sessions with college counselors.
• online résumé writing templates and software.
• online interview tutorials and videos.
• mock interview practice sessions.

3. Do I need to make an appointment to get help with writing a résumé and cover letter?
An appointment is highly recommended. Contact any student services center.

1. What is the purpose of an internship?
The internship is designed to provide students with a guided introduction to the professional working world at or near the end of their program of study.2.

2. Who gets the student an internship?
It is the student’s responsibility to find, apply for and secure a suitable internship position. To assist with the student’s internship search, internship openings are listed in MyPima's MyCareerLink.

3. Are interns paid or unpaid?
The decision to pay an intern is solely at the discretion of the employer. If an intern is paid, they are considered a temporary employee.

4. What are the responsibilities of the different parties during the internship?
The faculty for the internship course sets the specific requirements for each internship. For general guidelines refer to the Experiential Learning Plan.