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.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Not only was Brandt able to resolve a longstanding problem for the Career Center, her solution will support Cal State San Marcos students for years to come.

Brandt is a transfer student from MiraCosta Community College, majoring in computer science and graduating from CSUSM this spring. Brandt enjoyed her time at MiraCosta but felt she wasn’t very involved. So when she transferred to CSUSM, she knew she wanted to change that.

She served on the Orientation Team during her first semester at CSUSM, creating many new friends while welcoming new students to the campus community.

With hopes of continuing her involvement on campus, Brandt applied for a technology student assistant position with the Career Center. This position had been vacant for a long time but was brought back in hopes of fixing a data issue that had been building up.

Through the Career Center every CSUSM student is automatically enrolled with an account in Handshake, a network for posting and applying to jobs. However, when students graduate or leave, their accounts remain active on Handshake, showing the university had around 80,000 accounts last fall. With hopes of clearing out excess data from students no longer enrolled, the Career Center posted a job application looking for a student to assist with this problem, and Brandt checked every box.

Brandt had two previous internships that made her a desirable candidate for the position. She worked for Renesas Electronics, a semiconductor manufacturer, as an applications engineer coding for various radio frequency parts and with Northrop Grumman, the global aerospace and defense technology company, as a systems engineer coding for the RQ-4 Global Hawk, a remotely piloted surveillance aircraft.

So when asked if she could aid the Career Center with its data problem, the answer was a clear yes. In fact, Brandt actually suggested her own procedure for doing so.

Cullwell, the Career Center’s technology coordinator, had originally proposed a method for cleaning out the excess data on Handshake by manually going through each account to review whether the person was still enrolled as a student. However, Brandt explained that would take significant time and suggested her own method to fix the problem.

“On her first day, we discussed the broader goals of what we hoped to accomplish,” Cullwell said. “By the end of her second shift, she confidently proposed developing a script to automate the exact process we had envisioned. Over the course of the semester, she coordinated testing efforts, collaborated with IITS and Handshake liaisons, and refined the solution. Once deployed, her automation cleaned our data in a single afternoon.”

Cullwell was so impressed by Brandt’s ingenuity that she gave Brandt “The Departmental Wizard” nickname.

“She doesn’t have the same experience in programming that I do, so to her it seemed like magic, but for me, that’s just how my brain works,” Brandt said.

Not only did Brandt get to use her computing skills to help the Career Center, she also fulfilled her goal of becoming more involved on campus. During her time working for the Career Center, Brandt met so many friends, gained valuable skills for interviewing, and was encouraged and supported in applying for jobs.

Using resources from the Career Center, Brandt applied to 85 jobs over the past year in anticipation of graduation. The work paid off. Brandt will begin working full time after graduation for Trabus Technologies, a small business in San Diego that specializes in technology solutions for government and private sectors. Brandt will be working as a full stack software engineer for the company’s weather and boat transportation services.

Brandt’s time working for the Career Center not only propelled her into her first post-grad job, it made her time at CSUSM feel special.

“Sierra has made a lasting impact on the Career Center,” Cullwell said. “The systems she built will continue to benefit our team long after her time with us concludes.”

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Hosted by Dr. Yasmine Farley, director of the Career Center and a certified etiquette consultant through Gonzaga University, the event offered students hands-on experience in navigating formal dining settings while cultivating professional presence and confidence.

“Growing up as a first-generation college student from a low-income, single-parent household, I didn’t have access to these types of experiences,” Farley said. “Over time, I learned the importance of etiquette and professionalism in building my career – and it means the world to be able to pass those lessons along to our students at CSUSM, especially in a way that is accessible and cost-effective for the university.”

Thanks to Farley’s recent certification, the Career Center was able to provide this training in-house, eliminating the need to hire an outside facilitator and allowing more students to participate.

The evening guided attendees through a multicourse meal while covering topics from The Etiquette Institute’s framework, “The Four Cs” — context, culture, change and comfort — noting that etiquette isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being present and respectful. Students explored practical tips on professional dining – like how to navigate formal place settings, handle utensils correctly, engage in graceful conversation, manage beverage and soup etiquette, and avoid common faux pas. Attendees also learned about networking and how to build a personal brand that leaves a lasting impression.

For many, the dinner was a transformative learning opportunity.

“I'm very grateful to have received the opportunity to attend the Etiquette Dinner hosted by the Career Center,” said Angel Albarote, a human development major. “It was a fun time learning about dining in a professional setting while connecting with other attendees.”

“I gained insight into proper table manners and how to carry myself in formal dining and networking settings, skills that are essential for both personal and professional growth,” said Leo Smith, a pre-business major. “Thank you to Dr. Farley and the Career Center for hosting this wonderful event!”

Anahi Martinez Perez, a business administration major, echoed those sentiments, saying: “The event was not only an enriching experience in terms of etiquette and professionalism but also an invaluable opportunity to network with like-minded individuals. I look forward to seeing this event grow and continue to inspire more professionals.”

The dinner also welcomed CSUSM alumni, including Jasmin Casas, who reflected on the joy of reconnecting with her alma mater.

“It was awesome to be back on campus as an alum,” said Casas, who graduated in 2024 with a degree in literature and writing studies and now works as a legal assistant in the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office. “I can’t wait to see what my awesome new friends will do next.”

 As the Career Center continues to expand its programming in support of student success, the return of the Etiquette Dinner reflects the team’s ongoing commitment to providing inclusive, practical and empowering opportunities for professional development.

 For more information about upcoming events or to learn how to support student professional development, visit www.csusm.edu/careers.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Last month, Cal State San Marcos’ Career Center partnered with the College of Business Administration and College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics to take students to tour Callaway Golf headquarters in Carlsbad. Callaway doesn’t offer public tours, creating a unique opportunity. 

In addition to touring headquarters, students heard from professionals who shared advice and their experiences in the professional environment. Students also got exclusive early access to Callaway’s internship applications.

“It was truly an eye-opening experience that exposed me to real-world insight and industry knowledge,” said Gia Poston, a fourth-year business marketing major. “It opened my eyes to what strong company culture looks like and it also provided me with networking opportunities with professionals.”

Callaway Golf is the world's largest manufacturer of golf clubs. It also produces additional golf equipment, clothing and golf accessories. 

 “My experience visiting Callaway was excellent,” said Hanna Silva Gomez, a third-year computer engineering student. “Through this experience I was able to learn a great amount of industry insights as well as getting the opportunity to hear about the journeys of certain Callaway team members that ultimately led them to join Callaway. 

“For me, the most fascinating part of the visit was getting to know about all the possibilities within various fields ranging from engineering to business. It was incredibly insightful to hear about the processes Callaway follows and how it all comes together to deliver an exceptional end result.” 

Other students who attended agreed about the benefits of the visit. 

“Hosting events like these opens the door for CSUSM students to engage in networking as well as learning industry insights, Silva Gomez said. “Events like this encourage students like me to develop skills by learning about innovative approaches used in the industry. 

“Familiarizing ourselves with the company allows us to learn about company culture and get to know about possible internship opportunities or programs offered by the company, which ultimately can allow us to stand out as a candidate in the near future.”

Greg Zamora, a third-year finance student, shared the same perspective.

“From this experience, I gained plenty of inspiration and career insights learning about the intern program and the career paths of speakers,” he said. “I also gained a deeper understanding of Callaway Golf itself as a company, specifically how it operates globally with its variety of golf lines.”

The Career Center is planning to host more events like this in the future and represent a variety of careers and potential internships.

“As a Career Center, our goal is to create meaningful opportunities for students to engage with industry leaders and gain real-world insights," said Yasmine Farley, the director of CSUSM's Career Center. "The visit to Callaway Golf exemplifies the power of partnerships in bridging the gap between academic learning and professional success. I look forward to organizing more opportunities like this for our CSUSM students.”

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

The program creates a database for federal and select private-sector employers nationwide to help college students and recent graduates with disabilities find a potential job.  As a partner campus, CSUSM conducts outreach to eligible students and encourages them to apply to participate in the WRP.

WRP candidates have been hired by many federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration. More than 400 colleges and universities each year are invited to participate in the recruitment process. As a partner campus, CSUSM is opening up doors of opportunities for those with disabilities to gain helpful access to the workforce. 

"I am thrilled to bring the Workforce Recruitment Program to the CSUSM Career Center,” Career Center Director Yasmine Farley said. 

“This program is a powerful tool for connecting students with disabilities to meaningful career opportunities and internships. By participating, our students will gain invaluable exposure to a broad range of employers and showcase their skills on a national stage. It's crucial for fostering inclusivity and providing equal access to career development resources for all our students."

To be eligible to register, candidates must be current, full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate or graduate students with a disability, or have graduated within two and a half years of the release of the database each December.

WRP is managed by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy and the U.S. Department of Defense's Defense Support Services Center.

The woman encouraged Farley to branch out and expand her horizons in higher education.

“She coaxed me into trying career services – and I absolutely loved it,” said Farley, who earned a Ph.D. in higher education from Old Dominion University. “From there, I made sure that all of my experiences would be catered toward going into a career in career services.

“So I did a second internship at Old Dominion teaching a major and career exploration class on campus. I taught an academic recovery class. I was trying to just gain as much experience as possible with career services to make me a good job candidate once I finished up my degree.”

Farley has devoted her career to helping other students find their career path and prepare them for the job market. It’s what she has been doing since August for students at Cal State San Marcos as the director of the university’s Career Center.

Among the goals of CSUSM’s strategic plan is ensuring that every student has the opportunity to participate in hands-on, engaged learning and high-impact, career-activating practices, something Farley has taken to heart in her first year at the university.

A point of emphasis during Farley’s hiring was the need to prioritize academic internships, and the Career Center is in the process of hiring for two positions that will help. The interview process is underway to hire an associate director of internships and partnerships, a role that will focus on reshaping CSUSM’s internship program and aiding the campus employment process. Farley also will be hiring a career and internship support specialist to provide additional student support, advisement and guidance related to academic internships and career pathway planning.

“We want to make sure that we have those good partnerships across campus and really get some more external partnerships going to bring more internship opportunities to our students, and specifically paid opportunities that will tie into the social mobility aspect of our strategic planning and the institution in general,” Farley said.

Paid internships are important to Farley. As a first-generation college student herself, Farley knows the importance of showing low-income and underrepresented students how internships can boost their future success. It’s part of why she and her team have been working hard to get in front of students, whether at cultural centers, classrooms, campus housing or workshops.

“We want to help them understand how important it can be to get an internship and how much it can help them in their future career,” she said. “Because it's all well and good for you to have a job to meet the needs of today, but you're also in college to think about your future and being able to advance yourself and your family. And internships can help in that, which is also why we want to have that emphasis on paid internships because we understand that students may have financial needs and may not have the luxury of taking an unpaid opportunity just to gain experience.”

As Farley has been meeting with campus constituents, she has focused on three goals: strengthening relationships with collaborators, both internal and external; enhancing services; and elevating the identity of the Career Center.

“There were just some things that I was seeing pretty immediately when I got here that were simple changes to help people know more about what the Career Center is doing,” she said. “And I feel like that has been very helpful with increasing career counselor appointments and attendance at some of our workshops.”

That included record-breaking attendance at CSUSM’s fall job and internship fair last October, which drew more than 500 students to the USU Ballroom. Farley is hoping for a similar turnout at the upcoming spring job and internship fair, which is April 9 in the USU Ballroom.

“One of the things that I have charged my team with and that I really want to see us grow in with the Career Center is our partnerships across campus,” Farley said. “We are partnering with a lot of our identity centers, we have been going into the residence halls, partnering with RAs and really getting out of the office. We don’t always want to make students come to us, we really want to be able to meet students where they are so that they can get this information in a variety of ways and from myriad places.”

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

The fair gave students the chance to meet with potential employers and even have professional headshots taken for their LinkedIn profiles. The Career Center also offered several workshops to help students prepare their resumes and practice their networking skills. 

Leading up to the fair, students had the opportunity to visit the Cougar Career Closet to grab free professional clothing to make a polished impression in front of employers. Students can sign up for a Cougar Closet appointment on Handshake and visit the Cougar Closet once a semester to receive up to four free clothing items.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist
ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Just three months after coming up with the idea during a winter break retreat, the new Latino Business Student Association has opened a closet in Craven Hall stocked with gently used professional clothing free for all CSUSM students in need of proper attire for career-related events.

The Cougar Career Closet had an April 4 grand opening in conjunction with a Dress for Success spring fashion show staged by the Latino Business Student Association – which was formed just last fall – the same day. The Career Closet’s shopping hours will be from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays and noon to 1 p.m. on Thursdays.

“It’s really remarkable how fast these students have been able to move on this idea and bring it to fruition,” said Dr. Rebeca Perren, an assistant professor in the Marketing Department at the College of Business Administration. “It’s so motivating and exciting to see students take the initiative on a project like this. It fuels our desire as educators.”

Josefina Espino, the Latino Business Student Association’s Executive Secretary, said the idea evolved during winter break as the group was finalizing plans for the April 4 Dress for Success fashion show at the University Student Union forum from noon to 2 p.m.

“When we were getting into the details of the Dress for Success, we began thinking, ‘Hey, what about students who don’t have professional clothes at home?’ ” Espino said.

Within days, plans for a Career Closet were being finalized. Within weeks, contributions started flowing in. The CSUSM Career Center provided the room in Craven Hall. A College of Business Administration grant funded clothing racks, hangers, lint rollers, size dividers, mirrors and other supplies. Jim Hamerly, Dean of the College of Business Administration, donated a rack of business jackets. Executive in Residence Emilie Hersh held a reception at her home in which a group of women donated an entire wardrobe of professional attire.

One of the Latino Business Student Association’s newest members, Lilia Lopez, took on the role of Cougar Career Closet director, coordinating everything from setting up and organizing the closet to developing promotional materials to drive donations.

“We didn’t expect the support we’ve been getting,” Espino said. “It’s been phenomenal. We’ve been getting help from COBA, from the Career Center, from faculty and from staff. It’s just been great to see. The support really underscores what the university is all about.”

The need is profound. Approximately half of all CSUSM students come from low-income households, and roughly 70 percent come from traditionally underserved communities.

“There are a lot of students who don’t have professional clothes to wear for when they go out on an interview,” said Daisy Bueno, president of the Latino Business Student Association. “You see it a lot when you have presentations to make in a business class, and some people can only afford to come in slacks and a T-shirt. It happens all the time.”

Because of demand, the Career Closet continues to seek new or gently used business professional clothing for men and women of all sizes; two-piece suits; jackets and blazers; blouses and dress shirts; dress pants and skirts; ties; and new or gently worn dress shoes. Clothes should be cleaned prior to donation and be in good to excellent quality.

“We want to leave a lasting impact on the university and the students at the university,” Bueno said.

Donations can be made at the CSUSM Career Center, Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Fridays from 8 a.m. to noon (parking is allowed in the loading zone at Craven Hall). All donations are tax deductible.

Further information about the Cougar Career Closet is available at www.csusm.edu/coba/ccc.