Life and Career Advising Center
The Life and Career Advising Center (LCAC) is the hub of a comprehensive, integrated advising system that provides academic, personal, psychological, and career counseling for all students at Monmouth University. The LCAC provides regular workshops, outreach services, and publications. The advising program is structured to assist students from their initial orientation through their entire university experience, helping them make vital connections between educational, career, and life choices.
The Monmouth University program was selected as one of seven nationwide to receive an Outstanding Institutional Advising Program Award in a competition jointly sponsored by the American College Testing (ACT) and the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA).
The LCAC is located in the Student Center. Office hours are 8:45 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
ADULT STUDENTS
The unique academic, career, and personal needs of adult learners are addressed through the LCAC’s team of advising and counseling professionals. Full-time and part-time adult students receive the individual assistance they need to make connections with their academic departments, as well as to strengthen their academic success at Monmouth University.
CAREER PLANNING
Monmouth’s unique Student Career Planning Guide encourages students to begin career planning from the first day they enter the University. Career counseling, resources, and workshops are provided for all students, especially those selecting and changing majors. Interest inventories and a computerized guidance system are available to help students assess their interests and values.
CAREER SEARCH (LC300)
Career Search is a one-credit course offered each semester. The course focuses on writing resumes and cover letters, interviewing, researching companies, and other aspects of the job search.
EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION
All undergraduate students need to complete the Experiential Education requirement in order to graduate. Recognizing that students can learn more by combining the theories and ideas taught in the classroom with experiences from the "real world," Monmouth provides opportunities such as internships, cooperative education, service-learning, and experienced education courses to help students achieve these objectives.
EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION WEB SITE
The Experiential Education Web site is a valuable resource for students that provides how-to information, a search engine with over 1,000 potential opportunities, a listing of eligible courses, and student success stories. Special workshops and programs, along with the newsletter Experiential Education News, are offered during the academic year in order to further help students achieve this very important graduation requirement.
PERSONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELING
Strictly confidential personal and psychological counseling services are available to all Monmouth University students. Individual and group counseling is available regarding emotional concerns, interpersonal conflicts, family problems, and crisis intervention. The LCAC professional staff includes psychologists, student development counselors, and the Dean of Advising and Academic Support Services. Support for women in crisis is provided promptly and professionally by the Women’s Advocate. Twenty-four-hour hot lines for psychological crises and drug and alcohol emergencies are provided through collaboration with Monmouth Medical Center and local agencies.
PLACEMENT SERVICES
The Placement Director provides a host of programs and services to assist students and alumni find professional employment opportunities. Annual programs include fall and spring job fairs, an Educators' Career Day, and the Accounting Honors Employment program. Workshops and seminars are held regularly. Individual appointments are available for resume preparation, interview coaching, and general advice about job search strategies.
Current professional full-time job opportunities are posted in the office for students and alumni to review. A bi-weekly job newsletter is also published. Students and alumni are also encouraged to post their resumes and search listings on the Internet using MonsterTRAK, the officially endorsed job Web site of the Placement Office.
PRE-MEDICAL, PRE-HEALTH CAREER ADVISING
Students interested in health careers are provided with extensive support and information from freshman through senior years, including the professional school application process.
STUDENT EMPLOYMENT
Assistance for students seeking part-time employment while attending Monmouth is available. The Assistant Director of Placement for Student Employment oversees all aspects of on-campus employment. Through the Federal Work Study program, qualified students are able to work part time and earn money to offset educational expenses. The majority of on-campus student positions are filled by those individuals with Federal Work Study awards.
TRANSFER STUDENTS
Academic advising for all students transferring to Monmouth is personalized in the LCAC through the Transfer Advising Program where students meet their department advisors and plan their first semester at Monmouth. The Transfer Student Guide was developed by the Director in order to provide general information to transfer students.
UNDECLARED ADVISING
Students who have not yet selected their majors have the option of remaining "undeclared" until the end of their sophomore year. Advisors are trained to help students explore career options and discuss their interests. The Undeclared Advising office is located near career-resources offices, which facilitates career awareness for these students.
VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS
Students may choose to volunteer with causes that assist the homeless, the elderly, AIDS victims, food banks, animals, school children, and many other groups. Students may become involved on a regular basis or they may participate in singular events. Volunteer programs do not automatically satisfy the Experiential Education requirement.
LCAC WORKSHOPS
Each semester the LCAC offers workshops focusing on the areas of academic, personal, and career. Some workshops that may be helpful when choosing a major or starting a job search are: Choosing a Major, Resume Writing, E-Skills—Resumes and Job Hunt, and On-Campus Interview Skills.
