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Mid-Semester Burnout: Feeling Like a Flat Tire?

Burnout. Yeah, it’s not a good feeling. But why does it happen? I feel like if we understand what’s causing it, we can start figuring out how to handle it before we feel like a flat tire, like all the air has just been sucked out of us. And trust me, I’ve been there. It’s not fun feeling lost, having no energy to do anything, or somehow feeling like you’re still not doing enough. Especially in the middle of the semester, when assignments keep coming, and you’re trying to keep up with everything outside of school, too. If you’ve been feeling this way, I want you to know you’re not the only one. So, what actually is burnout, and what causes it? According to Oregon State University, academic burnout involves ongoing stress and mental, physical, or emotional exhaustion. It can affect your motivation, concentration, and even your confidence in school. Balancing classes, work, money, and personal responsibilities can all contribute to it. When you think about it, we’re carrying a lot. We hav...
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The Changing Job Market

The job market is changing quickly, and by 2027 we’ll see a wave of new careers influenced by technology, healthcare, and the push for a more sustainable world. Thinking about these future roles can be motivating, because it helps you see that your career is full of possibilities. There are new paths opening, new skills to learn, and new opportunities waiting for people who stay curious. Many of the jobs expected to grow aren’t about replacing people, even though that idea is often repeated; instead, they support the way our world is evolving. Fields like healthcare will continue expanding, with nurse clinician, medical assistants, mental health counselors, and biotech technicians becoming even more essential. As people live longer and pay more attention to their well‑being, these roles will only become more important. In addition to healthcare, sustainability will shape the future as well. Renewable energy technicians, electric vehicle specialists, and environmental managers will h...

Career Trends: Are They Important?

In short, the answer is YES! So what exactly is a career trend? A career trend can be defined as a pattern or direction in the job market that shows how people are working, what employers are looking for, and which jobs are growing. Why are career trends important? Understanding career trends is a part of your career exploration and development. This gives you an opportunity to strategize and plan your future career accordingly. Instead of applying for random jobs, this provides information to work with where you can match your skills to in-demand job industries. Students can learn about core competencies and skills employers are looking for. This gives you an opportunity to build on those skills while you’re in school, whether that’s in your classes, through part-time jobs or internships opportunities, or personal projects. KCC students also have access to upskilling opportunities through sites like The Forage, and free access to LinkedIn Learning. Keeping up with career trends...

Get Ready For a New Semester!

The new semester is approaching and with that often comes a level of franticness and overwhelm. You may even still be in “break mode” and lack the necessary motivation to get going. However, taking the time to prepare for the semester decreases levels of anxiousness and ensures that you are ready to tackle your classes with confidence. Here are some tips to help you get started: 1.        Remember why you decided to college: Thinking about your future goals and aspirations can be an exciting motivator to get you going. Maybe it’s the thought of working at the Fortune 500 company you have been following for years. Maybe it’s envisioning your dream car or where you want to own a home. Remembering that your time in college is not just an education, but also a means to your dream career and lifestyle can help with keeping your eye on the prize. 2.       Check in with your advisor: Did you register for classes but have some questions? ...

Building Connection with Professionals

Connecting with professionals is where you can build mutually beneficial relationships with people in your field or industry. This can help you have guidance, mentorship that can help guide you in your career, and it can give you access to hidden opportunities.  For example, connecting with professionals can help benefit you in accessing to mentors for skill development, boosts your mood, and unlocking career opportunities through inside referrals. This could help you out a lot on creating opportunities for impactful collaborations, gain valuable industry insights and accelerate your career. Moreover, connecting with professionals can help build you a strong support system, business development, and lastly skill expansion. Tips to Connect With Professionals Practice Active Listening: This could help you on building immediate rapport and it could help make the other person feel genuinely valued and it could help build instant trust. Consistently Nurture Relationships: It could help...

Your Degree Opens the Door. Your Experiences Help You Walk Through It.

Graduation is a major milestone. You’ve earned your education degree and chosen a profession with the power to shape the future, to build confidence, to promote personal ability. But now, the initial question comes up with you: What’s next? Starting a career for people who just graduated is not an easy thing, when you’re in a job fair, you’ve probably noticed something else employers almost always ask for: experience.  So, where can we get the related working experiences? In fact, most of the experiences that employers value are those gained even before you graduate. Working on campus, participating in a student group, volunteering in the community, taking part in career related fairs, or interning are all great ways to develop skills that often can’t be quantified through a simple transcript. These experiences help you to learn about communication, problem-solving, collaboration, and adaptability—all traits that employers seek. That means every semester is an opportunity to co...

The Career Benefits of Being Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable

Most people enjoy staying in their comfort zones because it feels safe and familiar. However, personal and professional growth often happens when we challenge ourselves to try new things.   Whether it is speaking in front of a class, attending a networking event, applying for an internship, or starting a new job, stepping into unfamiliar situations can help us develop important skills and gain valuable experiences. Many students hesitate to pursue opportunities because they are afraid of making mistakes or being unsuccessful. While these fears are understandable, avoiding challenges can prevent growth. Every successful professional has faced moments of uncertainty and discomfort. The difference is that they chose to move forward despite their fears. Stepping outside of your comfort zone helps build confidence. The first time you attend a career fair, introduce yourself to a recruiter, or participate in a professional workshop, you may feel nervous. However, each experience becomes ...