Resources & Career Guides

Articles from InterCoast Colleges on the skilled trades, behavioral health counseling, accreditation, and career planning in California.

HVAC & Electrical Trades

Training paths, licensing, and the work of electricians, HVAC technicians, and solar installers.

Trades HVAC Technician

How the HVAC Trade Is Regulated in California

An educational look at how HVAC work is regulated in California, from EPA refrigerant rules to state contractor licensing, safety standards, and energy codes.

Aug 18, 2026 3 min read
Trades

Sacramento electrical outlook

If you're stuck in retail hell or chained to a desk job forever, here's something worth knowing. Sacramento's electrical job market is expanding fast…

Jun 9, 2026 14 min read
Trades

Journeyman vs Master Electrician in California

Compare journeyman vs master electrician paths in California — roles, certification requirements, licensing steps, and how vocational training fits in.

Jan 10, 2025 15 min read
Trades

A Guide to Becoming an Electrician

Most of us take electricity for granted. We flip a switch and expect the world to come to life and flood with light.

Feb 20, 2023 8 min read
Trades

Trade Jobs in the Future

Automation is a growing concern across all careers. Anything repetitive and easy to replicate is subject to automation…

Dec 8, 2021 4 min read
Trades

How To Get HVAC Technician Training

If you're wondering how to become an HVAC technician, we can give you our perspective. Becoming an HVAC technician can be a faster and more…

Jul 27, 2021 5 min read
Trades

Women in the HVAC Industry

Regardless of where you live in the country, having access to heating or air conditioning is essential for comfort.

Nov 18, 2019 7 min read
Trades

NATE Ready to Work Certificate | InterCoast HVAC

InterCoast Colleges offers HVAC students access to NATE Ready to Work certificate testing. Learn how the program prepares students for the HVAC trade in California.

Jan 22, 2019 5 min read
Trades

7 Reasons to Become an HVAC Technician

If you are looking for a route to success that could avoid four or more years in a college or university classroom, an HVAC career might be for you.

May 21, 2018 4 min read

Program details: Electrical Training Program · HVAC Technician

Accreditation, BPPE & Choosing a School

What ACCET accreditation and BPPE approval mean, and how students compare trade schools and training formats.

Accreditation & Schools

15 Reasons to Attend Trade School

Going to school doesn't require this much or take this long. Have you thought about attending a trade school?

Jan 17, 2022 9 min read
Accreditation & Schools

How to Choose a Local Trade School

Throughout your life, you're told to go to college and get a degree. Everyone tells you that obtaining a four-year degree is the only way to be successful.

Jul 29, 2021 6 min read
Accreditation & Schools

What Are the Benefits of Trade School?

Traditional universities are still the norm. However, many students receive little to no information on trade schools before graduating high school.

Jun 17, 2021 5 min read
Accreditation & Schools

A Complete Guide to Vocational Schools

While many high school graduates attend college, working toward a Bachelor’s degree may not be the right path for everyone.

Mar 16, 2021 5 min read
Accreditation & Schools

9 Tips to Getting Trade School Scholarships

There are plenty of reasons for you to continue to invest in your education as an adult. You deserve to make the most of your life and your profession.

Jan 9, 2019 8 min read
Accreditation & Schools

5 Valuable Tips on How to Pay Trade School Tuition

Attending a trade school provides several benefits. These include shorter programs than universities and typically a lower cost of attendance over…

Jun 28, 2018 3 min read

Accreditation and approval records: Consumer Information · All programs

Behavioral Health & Counseling

Addiction studies, counselor certification, peer support, and the behavioral health field in California.

Behavioral Health

Why Pursue a Career in Alcohol & Drug Counseling?

If you’ve seen the impact of addiction—whether through your own experience or that of someone close—you understand how deeply substance use disorders can…

Nov 19, 2025 3 min read
Behavioral Health

What Is Substance Abuse? Key Facts & Prevention

Learn what substance abuse is, common signs, health risks, and how counseling programs in California prepare professionals to support recovery.

Dec 11, 2024 2 min read
Behavioral Health

Becoming a Certified Counselor in California: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you passionate about helping others and interested in becoming a certified counselor in California? Our comprehensive guide provides you with valuable information on the necessary steps to embark on this fulfilling career path. Explore the requirements, training programs, and licensing process t

Jul 11, 2023 5 min read
Behavioral Health

How to Get Started with a Career in Drug Counseling

Explore a career in drug counseling with rising demand. Learn about the role, meet state requirements, get certified through programs like InterCoast Colleges, and gain clinical experience. Contact us to jumpstart your career.

Jun 13, 2023 5 min read
Behavioral Health

7 Tips for Becoming an Alcohol Counselor

Did you know that people qualified to become addiction recovery counselors may also be qualified to work at outpatient substance abuse centers…

Feb 6, 2023 5 min read
Behavioral Health

The Job of a Behavioral Health Assistant

Behavioral health awareness continues to rise in the US, but so do behavioral health issues. Around 1 in 5 Americans will experience a mental illness…

Oct 31, 2022 5 min read
Behavioral Health

Tips on Dating and Being in Recovery

Being in recovery doesn't make it easy to date. For anyone who has struggled with addiction, it may feel like every potential partner is asking for trust…

Sep 13, 2022 5 min read
Behavioral Health

May is Mental Health Month

Every year since 1949, Mental Health America has held Mental Health Month. Along with affiliates across the United States…

May 1, 2022 5 min read
Behavioral Health

Six Benefits of Drug and Alcohol Counseling

Are you interested in a career where you can help people overcome challenges? Then becoming a drug and alcohol counselor could be the career for you.

Jan 24, 2022 5 min read
Behavioral Health

BAS Addiction Studies Program Overview

Nearly 21 million Americans struggle with addiction. Compassionate, skilled counselors in the alcohol and drug treatment field are needed.

Jan 13, 2022 6 min read
Behavioral Health

12 Step Program Myths and Types

The first 12-step program, Alcoholics Anonymous, started in 1935. There are now many types of 12-step programs worldwide…

Dec 27, 2021 6 min read
Behavioral Health

Addiction Studies Degree Online | BAS Program | InterCoast

InterCoast Colleges offers an accredited addiction studies degree online — the BAS in Addiction Studies prepares students for leadership roles in substance use disorder and mental health fields.

Oct 1, 2021 3 min read
Behavioral Health

Behavioral Health Assistant: Education and Career

Suppose you're thinking about having a career in the medical field but do not necessarily want to work as a doctor or a nurse or are unsure of what you…

Jun 23, 2021 4 min read
Behavioral Health

How to Handle Addiction in the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused incredible amounts of pain and suffering worldwide, but what perhaps has gone unnoticed is how much addicts are suffering.

Jun 10, 2021 5 min read
Behavioral Health

How to Become a Peer Support Specialist

Have you overcome a mental health condition or substance use disorder? Are you also thinking about changing your career path?

Apr 5, 2021 6 min read
Behavioral Health

Coping With Sobriety During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The 2020 coronavirus epidemic has caused havoc and destruction throughout the world, impacting every area of people's lives regardless of race, creed…

Mar 30, 2020 8 min read
Behavioral Health

Starting Over During Substance Abuse Recovery

Rehab is about focusing on addiction recovery, both the physical and mental healing needed. But you can make positive changes while in rehab.

Dec 5, 2019 8 min read
Behavioral Health

August is Self-Awareness Month

Recovering from addiction--or counseling someone through the recovery process--is a remarkably difficult undertaking.

Aug 19, 2019 5 min read
Behavioral Health

Beautiful Boy and Addiction Recovery

Beautiful Boy is a story of addiction. It’s a story of recovery and relapse. And it’s a story of a father and son.

Nov 27, 2018 5 min read
Behavioral Health

How to Become a Behavioral Health Assistant

A Behavioral Health Assistant is an entry-level mental health career that requires a high school diploma or GED and a certificate program…

Aug 16, 2018 8 min read

Related programs: Alcohol and Drug Counseling Studies · Mental Health & Addiction Support Services

Career Guidance & Financial Aid

Changing careers as an adult, returning to school, financial aid basics, and education benefits for veterans.

Career Guidance

The Unique High Value of Hybrid Learning

The pandemic was brutal for many students and teachers. Learning environments were being completely restructured to fit online formats.

Mar 1, 2022 7 min read
Career Guidance

Skilled Trades: How to Get Started

If you’re interested in learning more about skilled trade jobs as a career, we have a guide to help you get started.

Dec 15, 2021 5 min read
Career Guidance

How to Change Your Career

Are you looking to change your career but aren't sure how to get started? A career change can be a big life adjustment.

Mar 11, 2021 7 min read
Career Guidance

What Does FAFSA Stand For? | InterCoast Colleges

Learn what FAFSA stands for and how federal student aid works. InterCoast Colleges, accredited by ACCET and approved by BPPE, can help you explore your options.

Dec 4, 2019 4 min read
Career Guidance

Top 10 Signs It's Time to Make a Career Change

Our careers are a huge part of our lives and they take up a lot of our time. The average person spends around 92,000 hours of their life working.

Dec 2, 2018 7 min read
Career Guidance

How to Find a New Career You May Find Enjoyable

We've all taken that job that was meant to be a stepping stone to have it turn into a tombstone. Paychecks are so addictive that before we know…

Sep 10, 2018 8 min read
Career Guidance

College 101: High School Diploma or GED?

You've already made the decision to attend college. That's an awesome choice that will take you to many interesting…

May 14, 2018 4 min read

Next steps: All programs · Financial Services

Business & Office Careers

Bookkeeping, office administration, and the skills used across business careers.

Business

Computerized Accounting Careers: Pros and Cons

Computerized Accounting is an essential aspect of any company. But, what does the future look like for incoming students entering into business careers?

Jun 14, 2021 5 min read

Related programs: Business Office Administration · AAS in Business Administration

College News & Events

Announcements, community events, and updates from InterCoast Colleges campuses.

College News

HAPPY JUNETEENTH EVERYONE

Approximately two hours ago, President Biden signed into law a federal holiday called “Juneteenth” which will be observed as a federal holiday on June 19…

Jun 17, 2021 2 min read
College News

ICC 2020 Graduation

Watch the video of the InterCoast Colleges 2020 graduation ceremony, held to celebrate the students who completed their programs in 2020.

Apr 14, 2021 1 min read

Locations and contact details: Campuses

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