How to take the Microsoft Office Specialist Certification at CCSD

For the most part, the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certifications are built into specific courses. Here is a list of courses that the MOS certifications are built into:

APP101 Computer Fundaments: Word Certification

APP103 Word Processing and Presentations: PowerPoint Certification

APP104 Spreadsheet Applications: Excel Certification

If for whatever reason you were not able to take the certification exam during the course that it is offered in, then there are a couple different options for you. But before we discuss how and when to take the certification exam, let’s discuss the requirements that qualify you to take it.

Requirements:

• A score of 85% in the course that the certification exam was offered in.
  • If you did not get an 85% in the course that the certification exam was offered in, you must get approval from education management (Mr. Dru, Mr. Jean Pierre, or any Deans).
• A screenshot of passing scores of the GMetrix Practice Exam 1, 2, 3 (testing versions) for the certification you want to take (see image below).
  • Screenshot must have your name, exam titles, testing version, passing scores, and dates clearly visible.
  • The dates of the GMetrix Practice Exam 1, 2, & 3 (testing verions) should NOT be longer than 30 days from the day you will take the Certification Exam.

Here is an example of a screenshot that includes the student’s name, exam title, score, and date. Remember, you must pass all three practice exams in order to take the corresponding certification.

How to schedule the certification exam:

1. Gather all required documents
2. Scheudle the certification exam appointment by e-mailing CCSD IT at help@ccsdit.on.spiceworks.com. Give them the days and times you are available to take the exam. Students will need to reserve about an hour and half for the certification exam process:
   • The exam takes about 20 minutes to set up (this includes registering for Certiport if unregistered and for the proctor to go over rules before the exam)
   • Then, students are given 50 minutes to complete the certification exam.
   • After the exam, students have 20 minutes to review the results.

The best times to take the certification exam are on Fridays at 8:00am. You will need to contact CCSD IT to schedule the certification exam so that a qualified proctor can be present.

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Volunteer Opportunities with Junior Achievement

California College San Diego is teaming up with Junior Achievement to provide students with an opportunity to gain volunteer experience.

All students who volunteer at least 20 hours receive a certificate/letter of appreciation that can be added to their resume and portfolio. 

It’s an excellent opportunity to give back to the community, develop new or existing skills, and to network with others.

This volunteer opportunity is with Junior Achievement (JA). JA is the nation’s largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their futures, and make smart academic and economic choices. Junior Achievement’s programs—in the core content areas of work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy—ignite the spark in young people to experience and realize the opportunities and realities of work and life in the 21st century.

There are three different types of volunteer opportunities for Junior Achievement:

Biztown– Volunteer in one of the 21 businesses in JA BizTown with 4-8 students, assisting the students with their business/job tasks throughout the day while sharing personal stories of work experience. 

 

Finance Park– Volunteers guide groups of 8-12 students through the adult life simulation, where students learn to budget, save, and spend for themselves and their virtual families. 

JA Days– Volunteers delivers a full grade program to students during a classroom visit.  Typically from the time instruction begins to the grades’ lunch time. 

• South County JA Days
• East County/San Diego City JA Days

For more information regarding this fantastic opportunity contact Dru at Dru.Macasieb@cc-sd.edu or Tamara Ferguson at tferguson@jasandiego.org 

Career Services

The Career Services team is dedicated to helping students, recent graduates, and alumni as they seek to enter and ascend their industries of choice. It begins with assessing individual priorities and career goals, measuring strengths and skills, then devising a realistic plan and implementing it.

Whether you are a newer, inexperienced student looking for a “survivor job” to help generate some income, a seasoned professional that has already earned some chops but has greater ambitions, or somewhere in between….Career Services can help.

We offer 1:1 career coaching, job lead assistance, resume consultation, networking advice, interview tips, and a bevy of other services customized to your specific needs. Ultimately, however, it is up to you to reach out and initiate the first contact.

So please stop by, give us a call, or shoot us an email. Your success is our business and we look forward to partnering with you as you carve out your niche in your respective field of study.

Contact one of our career experts now!

Gary Rossi
Director of Career Services, California College San Diego
Gary.Rossi@cc-sd.edu
(619) 680-4430 x1575

Brandon Delavar
Brandon.Delavar@cc-sd.edu
619.680.4430 x1534

Brooke Finney
brooke.finney@cc-sd.edu
619.680.4430 x3907

Virada Sayanghky
Virada.Saysangkhy@cc-sd.edu
619.680.4430

Danielle Shields
Danielle.Shields@cc-sd.edu
619.680.4430

Sydney Young
Sydney.Young@cc-sd.edu
619.680.4430 x1553

Brandon Delavar

Brandon Delavar, Student Employment Advisor – San Diego campus

What I do: Assist current students with portfolio development and career-related planning/action so that they are more employable upon graduating, if not already employed in-field. Also assist with part-time job resources and support.

619.680.4430 x1534, 

brandon.delavar@cc-sd.edu

 

Schedule: 

•             Monday – 8am-5pm (San Diego)

•             Tuesday – 8am-5pm (San Diego)

•             Wednesday – 10am-7pm (San Diego)

•             Thursday – 8am-5pm (San Diego)

•             Friday – 8am-5pm (San Diego)

 

Nickname: “B” or sometimes “B-dawg”

Birthplace: San Diego, CA aka the best city in the world.

Best burrito in San Diego: Shrimp burrito at Bahia Don Bravo in La Jolla

Favorite film: Good Will Hunting and Top Gun

Desert island album of choice: Don’t Rock the Jukebox by Alan Jackson

Spirit animal: Elephant

Most important career-related advice to current students: You get out what you put in. If you put in extra time and effort, you will see the benefits through the knowledge and skills you learn.