Courtesy photo.
SANTA BARBARA — As the season cools, SBCC School of Extended Learning is giving working professionals and job-seekers tuition-free options to heat up their career paths with skills in Business, Design and Technology. Short courses and series in digital design and customer relations are beginning soon and will give students the opportunity increase their value in any business.
Part of SBCC School of Extended Learning, the Career Skills Institute is offering specialized certificates and digital badges in more than 30 areas, perfect for students looking to upskill, advance or pivot their career. The spring semester begins January 14 with new classes beginning each week. Many classes can be completed in a single day.
Students can get a jump on their career goals in the new year by completing noncredit certificate programs. Classes can also be taken individually. The certificates below are a small sampling of the many options that cover invaluable skills for growing a business and career possibilities.
Career Strategist Certificate
Gain an accurate understanding of your strengths, interests, abilities and work values. Students combine personal characteristics with career information to improve their skills at seeking, obtaining, maintaining and changing jobs. Classes include Personalized Career Planning (9 a.m.-1 p.m. January 19 and 26), Strategic Job Search (9 a.m.-1 p.m. February 2 and 9) and LinkedIn for Business (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. February 8) at the Wake Campus.
Customer Relations Certificate
Gain a deep understanding of communication skills and how they relate to quality customer service. There are many personality styles, and students will learn how to adapt to each. Classes will be held 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on the following Wednesdays at the Santa Barbara Employment Development Department: The Art of Negotiating and Collaborating (February 6), Best Practices in Customer Service (February 20) and Personality Styles and Difficult Relationships (March 6). Additional dates are available on the Schott and Wake campuses.
Digital Design Basics Certificate
Get ready for entry-level graphic design work in print and online media and create a strong base to go onto higher level courses. Required classes include Photoshop (9-11:30 a.m. Fridays January 18- February 8), Photoshop for Digital Photographers (4-6:15 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursday February 19–March 21) and Digital Design Techniques (4-6:15 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays April 2- May 2) at the Wake Campus. To complete the certificate, students can choose between the electives Introduction to Adobe Illustrator and Digital Cameras, Digital Photos.
“Our New Year’s resolution was to eliminate every excuse that could keep local workers and students from gaining the skills they and their employers need,” said Jeanette Chian, Associate Director, School of Extended Learning. “There are no costs for attending and multiple classes mean they are available when you are. No matter your skill level or goals, you will find a class that is the perfect fit.”
Participants who complete a certificate will also earn a Santa Barbara City College digital badge. Badges earned at the SBCC Career Skills Institute can be posted in online profiles such as LinkedIn, websites and resumes to easily showcase competitive skills to employers.
To register, please go to sbcc.edu/ExtendedLearning or come in-person at Wake Campus (300 N. Turnpike Road).
To learn more about digital badges, please go to www.sbcc.edu/csi or call (805) 683-8282.
Career Skills Institute at Santa Barbara City College: The SBCC Career Skills Institute is part of the programs offered through the SBCC School of Extended Learning. It launched in 2015 to address the growing gap between the skills employers need and the current lack of workforce skills. The innovative program is endorsed by LinkedIn® and serves job seekers, employers and employees with a tuition–free, noncredit certificate program to provide career training for employees and job seekers. Participants can earn certificates and digital badges demonstrating knowledge and skills in over 25 areas of business, design, technology, and career education. For more information, visit www.sbcc.edu/csi or call (805) 683-8282. To learn more about the SBCC School of Extended Learning, visit www.sbcc.edu/ExtendedLearning
About Santa Barbara City College: Founded in 1909, Santa Barbara City College currently serves approximately 15,000 students each semester who enroll in courses for transfer preparation, career education, and foundational skills. SBCC was the 2013-2015 national co-winner of the prestigious Aspen Institute Prize for Community College Excellence. The college was recognized for its quality and focus in four areas: facilitating underrepresented and minority student success, student learning outcomes, degree completion and transfer rates, and labor market success in securing good jobs after college.
Our Mission: As a public community college dedicated to the success of each student…
Santa Barbara City College provides students a diverse learning environment that inspires curiosity and discovery, promotes global responsibility and fosters opportunity for all.