Career Center Joins $1M Initiative to Expand Career Opportunities
Cal State San Marcos will serve as a key North County partner in a new $1 million regional workforce development initiative designed to connect young people with career preparation, paid learning experiences and pathways to employment.
Funded through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and administered by the San Diego Workforce Partnership, the initiative brings together San Diego State University, CSUSM and education and workforce partners throughout San Diego County. SDSU serves as the lead institution, with CSUSM receiving a funded subaward to lead implementation efforts serving North County.
Through the initiative, the CSUSM Career Center will expand career navigation, workforce-readiness programming, employer engagement and work-based learning opportunities for eligible in-school youth ages 14-21. The program will prioritize young people who face barriers to education and employment, including low-income students, students with disabilities, former foster youth, English learners, justice-involved youth and students experiencing housing or food insecurity.
CSUSM participants will receive individualized career support while gaining access to career exploration, skill development, mentoring, internships and other work-based learning experiences. Eligible participants also will be able to earn $30 per hour while completing certain approved workforce-development activities, helping reduce the financial barriers that can prevent students from participating in career-building experiences.
The initiative will build upon CSUSM's existing Career Center infrastructure and partnerships across North County, including relationships with employers, community colleges, K-12 partners and campus programs serving students with barriers. CSUSM also will integrate existing campus resources and supportive services to help participants address challenges that could interfere with their educational and career goals.
“This investment gives us an opportunity to go beyond simply connecting students to jobs and provide the kind of comprehensive support that can change a student's career trajectory,” said Yasmine Farley, director of the CSUSM Career Center. “We're able to combine career guidance, paid skill development, work-based learning and supportive services while leveraging the partnerships that already exist throughout CSUSM and North County. Most importantly, we're directing those resources toward young people who may otherwise face significant barriers to accessing these opportunities.”
The regional partnership also includes the San Diego Community College District, Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District, San Diego Unified School District and Southwestern College, creating a coordinated approach that reaches students across K-12, community college and university settings rather than limiting services to four-year university students.
For CSUSM, the grant also represents an investment in the university's role as a workforce and economic development partner for North San Diego County. By connecting students with employers and educational pathways throughout the region, the initiative aims to strengthen the transition from education to meaningful employment while developing skills needed in an increasingly technology- and AI-integrated workforce.
To learn more or see if you qualify for the program, contact the Career Center at careers@csusm.edu.
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