By Randall Higgins |Staff Writer|

“At the end of the day we want our students not only to graduate from CSUSB, but to also have a job,” said Edgar Perez, the employee relations coordinator at CSUSB’s Career Center.

Perez’s job is to make a connection between an employer and a student. He joined the Career Center about a week ago, and brings with him six years of experience in higher education, as well as a Master’s in Business Administration in organizational leadership.

Staff in the Career Center are trying to develop a stronger relationship between faculty and staff on campus.

Perez will not only be contacting potential employers but also setting up monthly network meetings with them.

Expect to see not only more e-mails and posters, but also more tables and brochures where students can learn what the Career Center can do for them.

There will be more opportunities, more outreach,and more fairs at different times of the day, morning and afternoon.

There will also be more classroom workshops where students will learn how to network, build strong resumes, and how to use LinkedIn.

Also available in the Career Center are mock interviews which serve as a valuable tool for students. Christina Rodriguez, Career Center Interim Director encourages students to attend employer information sessions provided on campus.

The Career Center offers mini job fairs that present students with an opportunity to interact and converse with future employers, explained Rodriguez. To attend these job fairs, students must register beforehand.

The students should take advantage of all the services the Career Center has to offer, including the Clothes Closet, where they can get a tie, or even a suit.

The next mini job fair is on May 19, and is already fully booked.

“There may still be some available spots on the June 4 fair,” said Rodriguez.

An e-mail from Health 101 points out that this is not just for seniors but will also help other undergraduate students looking for summer jobs.

Erica Alexander, the new Internship Coordinator, will help those who seek internships. If the internship is with an intergovernmental agency or a non-profit entity, Alexander will help with a stipend. The money is $1,000 and comes from the student fees, explained Rodriguez.

Alexander focuses on the internships, but still helps with resumes, interview preparation and finding internship positions.

Rodriguez reminds students that while the Career Center staff encourages students to stop by and meet with them, they also have a web site where students can access the database and find out what the Career Center can offer them.