Career Services

At SVCC we know the reason to attend college is to gain the skills to prepare for a career. Among those skills, is preparing for and conducting job searches. While SVCC cannot guarantee job placement following graduation, we can provide the necessary resources to assist with obtaining career success.

SVCC's Career Services Center is ready to help by providing the following services to all SVCC students:

• Assisting in Interviewing Techniques
• Cover Letter & Follow-Up Letter Writing Assistance
• Job Applications & Essentials
• Job Posts & Announcements
• Job Search: Resources for Job Possibilities
• Marketing your skills to Potential Employers
• Resume Writing Assistance & Reviewing your Resume
• Soft Skills Enhancement

Career placement services offers a wide variety of resources to assist with identifying career opportunities, finding up-to-date information on the latest job market trends, tips on acquiring work experience, and developing job search skills for a successful transition from school to work. Whether a student is looking for full-time or part-time employment, internships, or want to sharpen job skills, SVCC can provide the tools that will help with those career goals.

Counseling Services

• 911
• 800-242-7642 - Sinnissippi Crisis Line
• 800-273-8255 - National Suicide Prevention Hotline
• Text 741741 - Crisis Text Line
• crisischat.org

Cross-Cultural Services

The cross-cultural coordinator provides assistance to minority students and families throughout the SVCC district in reaching educational and career goals. Some students have a clear idea of what their concerns are before seeking help; many others simply feel that some things are not going as well as they had hoped. Either way, the cross-cultural coordinator is here to help with:

• Interpreting services
• Connection with all Sauk's on-campus resources
• Connection with community resources
• On-campus club ALAS (Association of Latin American Students)
• FUSE Program (Families United for a Strong Education), and
• An open and welcoming environment

Individuals interested in more information should contact the Student Activities/Cross-Cultural Coordinator, 815-835-6432. Bilingual services are available (English/Spanish).

Disability Support

SVCC is committed to providing equal educational opportunities for persons with disabilities, and does so in accordance with the Nondiscrimination Policy of Sauk Valley Community College, and in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended.

As stated by law, a person with a disability is someone with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of such individual; or a person with a record of such impairment; or a person who is regarded as having such an impairment.

Equal educational opportunity means that a qualified person with a disability must have access to the same programs, services, and activities as all other students. If necessary to provide equal opportunity, SVCC will make reasonable modifications to its policies, practices, and procedures, unless doing so would fundamentally alter the nature of the service, program, or activity or pose an undue administrative or financial burden.

A student must register with the Disability Support Office each semester he/she plans to utilize accommodations.

SVCC employs a coordinator to determine reasonable and appropriate accommodations and auxiliary aides and services for persons with disabilities. For further information, contact the Disability Support Office at  815-835-6220 or visit svcc.edu/disability-support.

Disability Support Grievance Procedures

Students with disabilities have the right to request accommodations to attend and participate in all programs, events and facilities sponsored by the institution. If a student has a grievance with the accommodations extended, they have 30 days to contest the decision. If a student has a disability related grievance, they should contact the Coordinator of Disability Support at 815-835-6246 in room 1F27 to discuss the grievance. Information relating to a disability grievance may be found at svcc.edu/disability-support.

Early Alert System/Crisis Assistance Team

The Early Alert System supports retention by putting students in contact with appropriate campus resources. This assistance helps students meet their educational goals. Faculty and staff members contribute directly to the Early Alert system's success by referring students who are struggling in their academic work, are chronically absent from class, are exhibiting disruptive behavior, or are having difficulty adjusting to college life. SVCC is committed to the retention and graduation of its students by providing a learning environment that is conducive to student success.

In conjunction with the Early Alert System, the Sauk Valley Crisis Assistance Team (SVCAT) was established to provide assistance to faculty, staff, and students in addressing situations in which a student or staff member displays concerns. Such stressors can be disruptive to the success of the student and to the educational setting. The overall goal is to promote a safe, healthy college environment for all staff and students by listening to the concerns presented, determining the needs of the faculty, staff, and students and then implementing an intervention plan to address the concerns.

Learning Commons

The Learning Commons in room 3L01 offers tutoring and library services to help students meet their academic goals in a spacious facility equipped with computers for public use, and a variety of quiet and collaborative study spaces.

Learning Commons Tutoring (LCT)

Learning Commons Tutoring supplements classroom instruction with individual and group tutoring and review sessions on subjects including (but not limited to) mathematics, writing, biology, chemistry, physics, accounting, and psychology. Services are offered on a no-cost walk-in basis in an informal and friendly atmosphere. Instructional aids include many helpful handouts and a science study area equipped with biology and anatomy study resources. For further information, contact LCT at 815/835-6293, or visit svcc.edu/tutoring.

Learning Commons Library

The Learning Commons Library supports the teaching and scholarship of the College, and promotes lifelong learning in our community. We offer a comprehensive collection of books, audio-books, CDs, DVDs, magazines, and journals to serve the academic and recreational needs of the SVCC community. Any resident of the college district aged 16 or older may sign up for a free library card and borrow from the library's physical collection.

The physical collection is augmented by online research databases, streaming videos, and a large eBook collection. These subscription resources are available to all users on-campus and to students, faculty, and staff off-campus. In addition, students, faculty, and staff may order materials from any academic or public library in Illinois through our interlibrary loan services.

The experienced library staff provides assistance with reference, research and citation. Instruction on a variety of library and research topics is available to groups by appointment, or in person to individuals by appointment or on a walk-in basis. For more information, contact the library at 815/835-6247 or visit svcc.edu/library.

Sauk's Holistic Advising and Retention Project (SHARP)

The SHARP advising program provides participating students with individualized coaching, support, and resources needed to successfully reach academic goals. For more information, contact the project advisor at 815-835-6408 or visit svcc.edu/student/sharp.

Testing Center

The SVCC Testing Center located on the first floor, provides services for SVCC students and the local community. Our center offers space for 20+ students to take exams. It includes space for paper/pencil exams as well as many computers for online exams.

All SVCC student exams and placement testing are delivered on a walk-in basis. Appointments are preferred but not required for these exams. If you are planning to take one of the many other exams offered by the Testing Center or you are not an SVCC current student, appointments are required.

All examinees must present a photo ID before taking any exam. Some exams require fees and additional identification. Please contact the Testing Center for more information at 815-835-6530 or visit svcc.edu/departments/testing-center..

TRIO Student Support Services

TRIO is a federally-funded, student-oriented program that offers supportive services to help students achieve success. The services are designed to help students maximize their effectiveness and make informed decisions that will lead to a successful graduation/transfer. Students are assigned an academic advisor offering students the support necessary to take them from enrollment through graduation/transfer. Advisors are dedicated to providing individualized assistance enhancing the academic, professional, and personal potential of the students who participate in the program. Federal Eligibility Guidelines Apply.

TRIO provides opportunities for academic development, assists students with basic college requirements, and provides services to motivate students towards the successful completion of their post-secondary education. To find out if you are eligible, call the TRIO Program at 815-835-6268, or ask your academic advisor.

Veterans and Military Personnel

The Higher Education Veterans Service Act requires colleges to create, publish, and distribute a comprehensive guide of services available specifically to veterans at their institutions. This survey can be viewed on the SVCC website by clicking on the "yellow ribbon" link on our homepage. The bill requires schools with 1,000 or more full-time students to appoint a coordinator to act as a liaison between administrators and student veterans. Military veterans will be provided with a veterans' recognition cord to be worn at graduation.

The role of the coordinator is to provide transition services to assist veterans and military personnel with their potential educational benefits, award of service related credits, and discuss pathways to enrolling in college. The coordinator will also serve as a referral source to connect veterans with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs VetCenters readjustment and personal counseling services. VetCenters counseling resources are provided at no charge for any military service personnel serving in a combat theater of operations. The Veterans and Military Services Office is located in Financial Assistance. For more information call 815-835-6420.

For additional information regarding Veterans, please see Veteran Students and Veteran Benefits under Financial Assistance.