Counseling

Pima Community College (PCC) Counselors provide assistance in:

• Career Planning
• Personal Challenges
• Academic Success

We use professional resources at Pima Community College as well as local and national organizations to support you during your time at Pima.  

Career Planning 

Not sure what career or program of study you'd like to pursue? Take the assessments below to explore your skills, strengths and interests:

• Career Interest Profiler
• Careers Skills Match

After you complete one or both assessments, use the links below to explore PCC Programs of Study, majors at the University of Arizona and career possibilities:

• Explore PCC’s Programs of Study.
• Review Undergraduate Majors and Degrees at the University of Arizona.
• Check out the Occupational Outlook Handbook for easy-to-navigate information about many occupations.
• Pima also offers Student Success courses to help you explore career options. 

To discuss your career options and plans, please see your assigned division-based academic advisor.

For information and resources regarding job readiness skills, visit our PCC Careers Resources webpage.  

Contact a Career Counselor

For additional career planning support, fill out the following form and a Career Counselor will contact you. Please allow up to 4 business days for a response.

Personal Challenges

Referrals for Personal Challenges

Pima Academic Success Counselors are available to meet with you during business hours (Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.), on a short term basis to discuss personal counseling concerns and to connect you to community resources as needed. 

If you'd like more information about PCC counseling and/or non-PCC immediate crisis response resources, please fill out our request for resources form. 

Before you meet with a counselor, please review the PCC Counseling Acknowledgement Form. The counselor will review this form with you at your first meeting.

We can also help with referrals for these areas:

• Substance abuse
• Anger management
• Relationships
• Sexual abuse or assault

Immediate Crisis Support

If you need immediate crisis support, please contact the following hotlines and call centers:

• Safety or Medical Emergency:  Dial 911 in the United States
• National Suicide Prevention Hotline:  1.800.273.8255 (toll-free)
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1.800.799.7233 (toll-free)
• Crisis Counselors Call Center (24-hour crisis line): 1.800.273.8255 (toll-free) or text "ANSWER" to 839863
• Banner University Medicine Crisis Response Center (local, free immediate crisis intake): 520.301.2400

PCC Student Wellness Assistance Program

Pima cares about your wellness - from time management to personal issues, from childcare to finances. Use the Student Wellness Assistance program to find online resources or connect to a counselor 24x7. 

The Student Wellness Assistance Program is free to PCC students for up to 6 sessions, per issue, per year. Contact 1-833-251-9941 for more information. 

To access the program:

• Go to the MyPima Students Tab > In the Students Tab, visit Student Resources, then > Student Wellness Assistance to get started. (If you are logged into your MyPima account and go to Student Resources, you will see Student Wellness Assistance about halfway down the page. There are hundreds of resources here for self-help and support.)

Additional Resources

• Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona
• City of Tucson Eviction Prevention
• Ulifeline
  Find help dealing with suicide prevention, drug abuse, and mental health. It's available to anyone who has enrolled at Pima Community College in the last three years. 
• All About Counseling

Academic Success

Counselors are also available to help you develop strategies for academic success, including: 

• Study habits and test-taking
• Memory and concentration
• Time and stress management 

Fill out our contact form for more information. 

Choosing a Program of Study

You may be starting college with only a vague idea of what to choose as a program of study (i.e., degree or certificate) and what to do as a career. If you do select a program early on, you may find that your choice could change as you take courses. That’s OK! 

However, if you have a specific area of study that you know you enjoy, declaring a program of study connects you with a dedicated PCC Academic Advisor, gives you a goal, keeps you focused and motivates you to study.

Your Program of Study should reflect an area in which you have a genuine and enduring interest. Developing skills and knowledge in your program of study is the foundation for your career path. 

PCC counselors can help you explore and choose a program of study that works for you.  

Other Avenues for Exploring

There are lots of ways to explore your interests and gain experiences that can help you make a decision. Here are some suggestions:

• Look through PCC’s programs of study.
• If you are currently in a program, talk with your assigned division-based advisor about career and/or transfer options.
• Read course titles and descriptions in the programs you’re considering.  
• Take an introductory course in a potential program of study.
• Take a Student Success course to help you develop academic readiness skills. 
• Join a student organization or volunteer in a field you’re interested in.
• Set up informational interviews or job shadows with local employers for a first-hand look at jobs you may be interested in. You can also access additional resources that can help you find work experience and connect with potential employers on our Career Resources page.