Southwestern Oregon Community College offers short term programs for students who are not certain they want to make a 2-4 year commitment, and these programs often lead directly to jobs. This fall, new programs in Clinical Laboratory Assistant, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Office Specialist, Administrative Assistant, and Dental Assisting will be offered. All are one year or less, and provide hands-on training to get students skilled up and ready for the workplace. Clinical Laboratory Assistants work in hospitals and medical centers drawing blood and performing some routine laboratory analysis. The GIS credential is a plus for those seeking jobs in surveying, natural resources, or planning, and will prepare students to work with spatial data and effectively communicate visual information on a map. The Office Specialist certificate prepares students for immediate employment as an entry-level professional in a variety of industries, including healthcare, finance, construction, and technical services. Many of Southwestern’s credentials are stackable, meaning students can complete a program, go into the workforce to gain experience, and return later in their careers to upgrade those skills and/or work toward a four year degree. Still not sure? The Career Center at Southwestern (541) 888-7373 can assist students in determining which program might be best for them. For more information on getting started, please contact Southwestern’s Counseling and Testing office at 541-888-7405.
