Students gathered to meet with employers of various companies, exchange information and seek potential job opportunities at the Fall 2019 Job Fair.

Approximately 150 students of all ages attended the job fair on Oct. 3 in the USU Ballroom from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The Career Center, which is housed at Craven 1400, organizes the biannual event every fall and spring where 50 companies set up tables for representatives to connect with students, explain the hiring process and accept resumes. Some of the attending companies allowed students to sign up for interviews at the event, although it was recommended that students do so through the online website Handshake, which can be found here: https://www.csusm.edu/careers/.

Notable employers included GEICO, The San Diego Office of Education and Meketa Investment Group, Inc.

On-campus jobs are also available through Handshake.

Unlike many events on campus, job fair organizers recommended a dress code of business casual or professional clothing in order to appear prepared and dignified to potential employers. The Career Center also advised bringing multiple copies of resumes to hand out throughout the event.

If a student does not have proper attire or a thorough resume, the Career Center has resources to prepare students to venture into working world. 

For example, appropriate clothing is available for free in the Cougar Career Closet, which is located in Craven 1400 and is stocked by donations. Students need to make an appointment to “shop” through Handshake. 

In addition to employer tables at the job fair, professional photographers offered free portraits so students could include a quality photo in job applications.

The Career Center puts on events throughout the year to help students develop job hunting skills. Upcoming events include a Graduate and Professional school fair (Oct. 10), a Major and Minor fair (Oct. 15) and “Your Online Brand: Building Your LinkedIn Profile” (Nov. 5).

Career Center also can help students improve cover letters and resumes, set up their Handshake accounts, do online practice interviews or schedule appointments with a career counselor.

While the job fair was open for anyone, mostly upperclassmen participated. Many first years attended as an assignment for their GEL classes. 

Nicole Treberium, a first-year biology major, came for a class assignment, but later said she enjoyed learning about her options since she is unsure of what career path to seek.

There are certain employers that return to the CSUSM Job Fair each time, but new ones can always be expected. 

Internships information is available at the CSUSM Office of Internships and Service Learning, which is housed at the Career Center.

For more information, visit the Career Center website at https://www.csusm.edu/careers/events/index.html or follow its Instagram, @csusmcc.