In pursuit of access: community college student engagement in career counseling services.

• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2047/D20412887

This dissertation examines the implementation of peer-based career seminars as an intervention to analyze career counseling services in the community college setting and delineate potential benefits for students. Highlights include identifying barriers to access, discussing a student-centered approach to service utilization, and implementing methods to access. Many issues face this specific population including the need for student support services information, flexible access to services, and a sense of belonging essential to transition successfully into the community college setting and the transition toward work/career or another college/university. The researcher used a qualitative, action research-based approach to ascertain students' current needs and vision for career counseling services at the research site. Students enrolled at the research site, as well as registered in a student success course and/or attended one of four peer-based career seminars, had the option to participate. Based on the study results, increased access to career counseling services influenced increased student engagement.--Author's abstract