Career & Counseling Services

The Career & Counseling Services department coordinates career development and employment services for Southern State. We offer students and alumni assistance in clarifying career goals, exploring educational options and acquiring job search skills. We also assist employers with various objectives including recruitment.

Office Hours & Locations

  • Central Campus
  • Student Services Office
  • 8:00am – 12:00pm (Monday)
  • 8:00am – 5:00pm (Wednesday & Friday)
  • Fayette Campus
  • Faculty Offices – Room 103
  • 8:00am – 5:00pm (Tuesday)
  • North Campus
  • Room 316A
  • 8:00am – 5:00pm (Thursday)
  • South Campus Office
  • Director’s Office
  • 1:00pm – 5:00pm (Monday)

Flexible times available upon request. Counseling hours available via appointment. Contact any Campus Location to schedule your appointment.

How We Can Help

From the beginning of your college experience, through graduation and beyond, Career & Counseling Services is here to help you follow your bliss! We are here to help you learn about yourself, careers and occupations and to plan your education accordingly with your desired career path. We also provide job search assistance, resume and cover letter writing techniques, interview preparation, coaching and debriefing, networking and tips and how-to’s.

We are also here to help you when life becomes overwhelming. Personal counseling is free and confidential to actively enrolled students and their family members for problems such as stress, grief and loss, adjustment to life change, job loss and other concerns. We also offer the Ohio Benefits Bank Services.


  • I am responsible at this moment, not for past failures, but for my current choices and my current direction and I can change.
  • -Robert Wubbolding, Ed. D.
  • Reality Therapy for the 21st Century

Counseling Services

Southern State provides one-on-one counseling services to its students and family members. These services are completely free, are available at all campuses and include:

  • Counseling for adjustment to life changes
  • Couples counseling
  • Family therapy
  • Individual therapy
  • Job loss
  • Life transitions
  • Stress management skills training
  • Time management skills training

Contact Tom Payton to schedule an appointment.

Counseling Services – Pass It On Quote of the Week

  • Courage is when you are scared to death, but you saddle up anyway.
  • John Wayne
  • When we feel afraid in our feelings and our body, we can still think and act in ways that are courageous.
  • Suzi Hallock-Bannigan
  •  

Relationship Resources

Career Counseling Testing Resources

Explore your Career Quality World through these resources:

  • Holland Self-Directed Search
  • Myers Briggs Type Indicator
  • Values Inventory
  • Strongs Interest Inventory
  • and many more

Contact Tom Payton to get started!

Job Fairs

There’s a few things you should know before attending a job fair. Use this guide to better prepare:

Columbus Career Fair

May 22, 2013 | 11am – 2pm | Hyatt Regency Columbus (350 North High Street, columbus, OH)

We’ve been working hard to bring top employers to the event and they are looking forward to meeting you! Did you know that most employers at our Job Fairs report making hires from the people they meet? That means you have a great opportunity ahead so let’s be sure you’re ready for the day of the event. Review the following items to be sure you are prepared:

  • Resume is updated and error proof
  • Printed 30 copies of your resume
  • Personal marketing pitch is ready (for tips on putting together your pitch Click Here)
  • Review companies attending and prepare questions for recruiters (to see the current list Click Here.
  • Select appropriate business attire

Featured companies include Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance Company, Welcome Wagon, Aaron’s, Taco Bell, Old American, Woodmen of the World and more! Attendance is free!

Cincinnati Career Fair

June 18, 2013 | 11am – 2pm | Hyatt Regency Cincinnati (151 W Fifth Street, Cincinnati, OH)

Featured companies include Aflac, Daymar College, Strayer University, Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance Company, PFS and more! Attendance is free!

Southern State Community College Annual Spring Job Fair

Each spring, Southern State’s Career Development Center and LRC partner with the One Stop Centers in our service areas for a gathering of employer representatives and job seekers. Attendees can complete applications, interview for open positions and research career possibilities. The event is free and open to the public.

Job Board

Local job openings will be posted here as they become available so check back often! Click on the position title for a complete job description.

Position Employer Location Removal Date
Receptionist Alkermes, Inc. Wilmington, OH 06.14.13
Field Technician 1 Time Warner Cable Washington Court House, OH 06.09.13
Store Manager Starbucks Coffee Company Cincinnati, OH 06.09.13
Business Analyst Aon Benfield Cincinnati, OH 06.06.13
Customer Service Representative StarTek Cincinnati, OH 06.06.13
eMarketing Coordinator Coldwell Banker Res RE LLC West Chester, OH 06.06.13
Customer Service Representative Family Dollar Stores of Ohio Cincinnati, OH 06.06.13
Technical Support Supervisor StarTek Cincinnati, OH 06.06.13
Counselor Nova Behavioral Health, Inc. Dayton, OH 06.06.13
Registered Support Assistant Ameriprise Financial Dayton, OH 06.06.13
Customer Service Representative WorkflowOne Grove City, OH 06.06.13
Technical Support Representative StarTek Cincinnati, OH 06.06.13
Medical Lab Tech Mercy Health Partners Fairfield, OH 06.06.13
Merchandising Specialist Anderson Merchandisers Washington Court House, OH 05.30.13
Store Manager Family Dollar Stores of Ohio New Vienna, OH 05.30.13
LPN Kindred Healthcare Lebanon, OH 05.30.13
Crew Member Wendy’s Washington Court House, OH 05.30.13
Maintenance Electrical Technician Georgia Pacific Circleville, OH 05.25.13
Sales Associate Maurices Wilmington, OH 05.25.13
Assistant Manager Maurices Wilmington, OH 05.25.13
Store Manager Family Dollar Stores of Ohio Cincinnati, OH 05.18.13
Store Manager Family Dollar Stores of Kentucky Newport, KY 05.18.13
Traditional Security Officer G4S Secure Solutions (USA) Inc. Kettering, OH 05.18.13
Program Director Kindred Healthcare Portsmouth, OH 05.18.13
Truck Driver Conway Freight South Point, OH 05.18.13
Banquet Servers Staffmark Wilmington, OH 04.27.13
Assistant Teacher Timber Faith Preschool Wilmington, OH 05.18.13

Additional Opportunities & Resources

Job Search Resources

Find assistance and get advice on various topics of job search through these resources.

AARP – Career Tips for Over 50s

Chamber of Commerce – Local Service Area

Job Search – Interview Materials & Aids (Printable Handouts)

Job Search – Job Hunting & Planning (Printable Handouts)

Job Search – Networking Materials & Aids (Printable Handouts)

Job Search – Resumes & Cover Letters (Printable Handouts)

Job Search Sites

Licensure Agencies

Professional Journals

Professional Organizations

Video – Coping with Job Search Stressors

Video – Interviews

Video – Job Search

Video – Job Search & Social Networks

Additional Resources

Student & Alumni Resources

Career development does not end when you start the job but is a lifelong process. As a service free of charge, Career & Counseling Services can help current students and alumni learn about:

  • resumes as a career development summary and tool;
  • adding value to your job and tracking results;
  • career check-ups (Where am I and is my current work experience helping or hurting me in taking me where I want to go?);
  • dealing with on the job stress through hardiness and the "3 C’s"; and
  • career coaching (learning communication, supervisory and management techniques).

Online Resources

Employer Resources

If you’re a local employer, Southern State wants to CONNECT with you! We offer various associate and certificate programs in areas ranging from pre-baccalaureate, nursing, business and technology as well as many training opportunities. We also provide job posting opportunities, annual job fairs, on-site interviews and recruiting, employerer assistance to meet your needs interfacing with Workforce Development and access to a resume database of local applicants through Career Services Online.

Posting Jobs

Use the position posting request form to post a job opening on the Job Board online and on each of Southern State’s campuses. You can submit the form electronically, email it to tpayton@sscc.edu or fax it to 937.393.6682.

Recruiting & Other Services

To participate in the annual spring Southern State Job Fair, post an upcoming job fair, interview and recruit on campus, request a speaker regarding career/professional development or for any other assistance, please contact Tom Payton.

Online Resources

Labor Market Information

Language for Position Postings or Job Descriptions

Interviewing Guides