Career Services
(408) 741-2040
https://www.westvalley.edu/services/careers/
West Valley College Career Services serves as a hub to connect students to career tools and opportunities, resources, and courses. Career Services provides support to assist all students toward their next job, internship, and/or career. We are located on the second floor of the Student Services Center in the Transfer and Career Center.
Services Offered:
- Career development workshops
- Resume and cover letter assistance
- Job and internship database through Handshake
- Connection to internships through LAEP
- Handouts, guides, and tips
Learning Outcomes
After utilizing Career Services, a student will be able to:
- Select appropriate college courses, programs and services to meet individual career goals and/or career exploration.
Honors
(408) 741-2147
https://www.westvalley.edu/learning-communities/honors/
The Honors University Transfer Program provides highly motivated students the opportunity to work closely with instructors and other motivated students in advanced levels of critical thinking, analysis, research, writing, and communication. The goal of the Program is to engage, support, and challenge self-motivated students to pursue a deeper education, enabling them to create opportunities for success in both their personal and professional lives. Honors courses offer enriched educational experiences through our Honors faculty, challenging coursework, typically smaller class sizes, and the opportunity to study with other highly motivated students. Apply here: https://www.westvalley.edu/learning-communities/honors/
Eligibility, Maintenance, and Completion
New and current students that meet the following criteria are encouraged to apply:
- Current WVC Student Qualification: Earn a GPA of 3.25 or high in at least 9 units of transferable coursework
- High School Student Qualification: Earn a high school cumulative GPA of 3.5
To maintain active membership in the program, students must maintain a 3.25 cumulative GPA or higher. We recommend that students complete at least 2 honors classes each academic year. Successful completion of the program will require each student to complete 15 units of honors coursework with a cumulative GPA of a 3.25 or better. There is no adverse consequence if you do not complete the 15 honors units.
Program Benefits
Students who complete the program will receive a special Honors Graduation Medal during commencement as well as a Permanent Notation on your Academic Transcript that you are an Honor Program Graduate. The honors program has special partnerships with a range of four-year universities that provide advantages in the application and scholarship process. Most notably, our partnership with UCLA’s Transfer Alliance Program significantly increases admission to UCLA College of Letters and Sciences (continue reading for more details). Other partnerships can be found on the Honors Program webpage.
UCLA Transfer Alliance Program (TAP) - Students who complete the Honors Program at West Valley College receive priority consideration for admission to UCLA College of Letters and Science. Admitted TAP students are also eligible to apply for scholarships reserved for the Transfer Alliance Program. Students are advised to contact the Honors Program Coordinator to discuss eligibility and participation. Learn more about the UCLA TAP at: http://tap.ucla.edu.
Intercollegiate Athletics
(408) 741-2017
https://westvalley.prestosports.com/landing/index
The College offers men’s and women’s sports at the intercollegiate level. West Valley College is a member of the Coast Conference and participates in water polo, soccer, basketball, baseball, softball, swimming, beach volleyball, volleyball and tennis. Students interested in participation and in learning about eligibility requirements may contact the Department of Kinesiology and Athletics at West Valley College.
Learning Outcomes
After participating in Intercollegiate Athletics a student will:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the rules and /or assignment of the sport of participation
- Demonstrate improvement in 3-5 skills specific to the participants sport
- Demonstrate team commitment and team strategies to be successful
Library
(408) 741-2028
https://www.westvalley.edu/library/
The Library offers a wide variety of resources and services. These include reference assistance, orientations and classes in how to use the library “to conduct” research. Online databases and a library catalog are accessible 24/7. Internet stations and printing are available for course-related work. Wireless Internet access is also available.
The library collection includes books, periodicals, reference materials, databases, streaming media, e-books, laptops, photographic and video equipment, and audiovisual media. Current students may use their student ID card to borrow materials from both the West Valley College and Mission College collections. Library hours are posted at the front entrance to the Library and on the Library website: https://www.westvalley.edu/library/
Learning Outcomes
After completing courses, orientations, or workshops, a student will be able to do one or more of the following:
- Gather, evaluate, organize and use information in order to successfully complete research projects;
- Properly cite sources according to established formats such as MLA and APA;
- Explain the legal and ethical aspects of research, including copyright and plagiarism.
Success Center
(408) 741-2038
https://www.westvalley.edu/services/success-center/
The Success Center promotes life-long learning by providing tutorial support, engaging in facilitative learning techniques, assisting students with time management and planning, demonstrating effective studying strategies, providing stress management tools, and helping students set academic and personal goals. All currently enrolled West Valley Students are eligible for FREE support by trained, qualified peer tutors in a wide variety of subjects. Most tutoring is offered on a drop-in basis, though some individual and group appointments can be made. The Center also offers study group facilitation, exam review sessions, use of specialized software on in-house computers, and tailored strategies for a diverse range of learners. Opportunities for paid tutor positions are open on an ongoing basis for qualified applicants; check our website or visit the Center for more information.
Learning Outcomes
After accessing and using the Success Center, a student will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of campus support services;
- Understand and identify effective time-management and study skills;
- Identify their preferred learning modes and employ them in order to comprehend course materials.
After accessing and using the Success Center, facilitated study groups will be able to:
- Identify and understand effective group study strategies;
- Empower each other to learn difficult course concepts and problem-solve together to achieve course goals;
- Employ and utilize these techniques, whether in the Center or on their own.
After being employed by and working in the Success Center, peer tutors will be able to:
- Understand and follow legal guidelines for peer support (e.g. FERPA) and professionalism in the workplace;
- Demonstrate knowledge of effective study strategies, time management skills, facilitated learning techniques, and the various types of learners we encounter;
- Facilitate group and individual learning of course concepts through differentiated strategies that address a wide variety of learners;
- Demonstrate interpersonal skills, including but not limited to effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills and emotional intelligence.