By Jocelyn Colbert |Staff Writer|
Many college students are worried about not being able to continue on to their desired career when they graduate.
The CSU system provides many resources to ensure students graduate with their bachelors degree.
Here’s where the problem occurs: Now that I have my bachelor’s degree, what do I do now? How do I apply for a job in my career field?
This is the dilemma most post-grads are facing. Yes, the CSU system ensures that one will receive their bachelor’s degree, but what about ensuring that a student will be able to work in their career field, actually using their degree?
Porsha Bracey, CSUSB graduate of the class of 2011, fits this exact scenario. She majored in Mass Communications, graduated with a 3.1 GPA thinking this would be enough to ensure a job in her major.
Sadly this was not the case. “I’m currently working for Verizon selling home services such as Internet and cable. I’d like to be working in the communication field as an event planner and being involved in marketing, but I didn’t prepare enough for my post-bachelor experience,” said Bracey.
To entirely avoid this potentially stressful and nerve-racking situation, Yotes must be pro-active college students. As an undergrad, students need to be figuring out their next step, not just concentrating on graduating.
A resource available to the students on campus to help with the jump-start into our careers is the Career Development Center located on the third floor of University Hall room 329.
The Career Development Center’s mission is to support the academic purpose of the university by providing complete career services, which result in a successful conclusion of the educational experience.
Their goal is to integrate the campus and the community for the advancement of student learning and career success. The Career Development Center offers programs that meet the career/life challenges of those they serve.
Larry Burns, Director of The Career Development Center, has been managing the career team since July.
“I’ve lived in the county since ‘95. The big reason I wanted to work here was to connect to my local community by helping students become contributing members of society,” said Burns.
The staff members of the center include career counselors, job developers, internship coordinators, as well as student assistants ready to aid you on advancing your career path.
Students can walk-in or make appointments.
There are limited walk-in hours, so to ensure the student plenty of one-on-one time, it would be advised to make an appointment.
What can a student gain from visiting the Career Development Center?
“We offer students training services to help get them ready for their career post-graduation. We also offer student employment advice, not to mention jobs,” said Burns.
“Coyotelink is an entire database of jobs. Students can set up a profile and begin their job and internship searches.”
The Career Development Center offers resume workshops, career counseling, and will coach students on the interviewing process. They also host a plethora of various workshops such as job fairs, graduate fairs, and career expos usually held in our Santos Manuel Student Union Events Center.
To learn about these events and more log on to Coyotelink, CSUSB’s free web based job board or read your weekly e-mail Job Spotlight.
Take advantage of your on campus resources and use them to the fullest. Visiting The Career Development Center can put minds at ease about many post-grad dilemmas students might face.