Whether a student has a quick question about a transfer requirement or would like more information on how to set academic and career goals, they'll find the answers they are looking for during Ask a Counselor sessions.

The counseling department holds about 110 Ask a Counselor events throughout the year — 40 in the fall, 40 during the spring, and 30 in the summer. They set up a table outside, and students are welcome to walk up and ask the counselors about anything pertaining to classes, specific services, or their future.

"During the Ask a Counselor events, we can assist students with important questions they may have as new students or returning students," Counselor Patty Jones says. "We encourage students to come in to our Counseling Center to create a semester by semester student education goal plan, as well as promote resources and services that could benefit from."

About 1,800 students are estimated to attend Ask a Counselor events every year.

"Having these events allows students the convenience of asking a counselor questions about education planning for various educational and career goals,"Jones says. "Some students have questions about Career Technical Education or associate degrees or transfer, majors, and career options. Other students need to know about other resources for veterans, EOPS/CARE, Guardian Scholars, DSPS, CalWORKs, FYE, Promise Program, Transfer and Career Services, the Welcome Center, the Writing Center, the Student Success Center, and other programs that promote student success."

The response from students has been overwhelmingly positive.

"They appreciate seeing us and being able to ask quick questions or find out about a new resource or service they didn’t know about that will help them be successful at SBVC," Jones says.

Students are always welcome to make an appointment with the Counseling Center, and can either stop by to set one up or call 909-384-4404.