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

Yang is part of Cal State San Marcos' Aspiring Scholars program, which helps students with intellectual disabilities fully experience campus life while building skills, confidence and a pathway to meaningful employment. Launched in 2023 by CSUSM education professor Rebecca Brooks, the program has grown from four students to 19, offering participants an opportunity to learn and grow in the CSUSM community while earning a certificate in higher education academic and career studies. Last fall, the program reached another milestone by securing on-campus internships for students like Yang.

Yang spent the spring semester as an intern in the University Communications office. Working with other student assistants and interns in University Communications, Yang documented campus life through photography and was always eager to help in the creation of social media content.

Yang has taken hundreds of photos throughout the semester, and some of his favorites were shared in March and April. With his internship ending this month, we're sharing one more selection of some of Yang's recent work.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

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

Yang is part of the Aspiring Scholars program, which helps students with intellectual disabilities fully experience campus life while building skills, confidence and a pathway to meaningful employment.

Launched in 2023 by CSUSM education professor Rebecca Brooks, the program has grown from four students to 19, offering participants an opportunity to learn and grow in the CSUSM community while earning a certificate in higher education academic and career studies. Last fall, the program reached another milestone by securing on-campus internships for students.

Yang has been honing his skills as a photographer and assisting with social media throughout the spring semester. We recently asked him to select some of his favorite images from March to share. All photos in the gallery were taken and edited by Yang. 

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

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

Now in its third year, the program has grown from four students to 19, offering participants an opportunity to learn and grow in the CSUSM community while earning a certificate in higher education academic and career studies. Last fall, the program reached another milestone by securing on-campus internships for students.

This spring, one of those students, William Yang, joined the University Communications office. Yang has been honing his skills as a photographer and assisting with social media, capturing campus life in numerous photos during his first six weeks of the internship. 

We recently asked Yang to select some of his favorite images to share. The first gallery features seven of his picks, followed by a second gallery with seven additional selections chosen by our editorial team.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

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

It was for a semester-long program in Washington, D.C., where students could earn up to 20 semester credits while learning from government leaders and policy experts from across the nation. One of the biggest selling points? All expenses would be covered by the Panetta Institute for Public Policy.

“I almost didn’t believe it,” Manassero said.

But Manassero started researching the institute and its Panetta Congressional Internship program, which has benefited California State University students for more than two decades.

“It’s just a very supportive program,” said Manassero, who is on track to graduate from CSUSM with a bachelor’s in history this May. “The Panetta Institute is very generous, and I'm very grateful for that. One of the reasons that someone like me could go out there – and pretty much most of us who were in the program could – is because the expenses are all covered. They want to provide this experience and get people interested in public policy, and that means involving people who normally wouldn't be able to get involved. I'm just very grateful for them.”

The Panetta Institute annually selects one student from each CSU campus as well as Dominican University of California, Saint Mary’s College and Santa Clara University to participate in the program.

Manassero was selected as CSUSM’s representative after a process that included a panel interview with the Career Center, a meeting with President Ellen Neufeldt and a final interview with the Panetta Institute.

The program matches interns with a member of the California congressional delegation based on their interests. Manassero worked in the office of Congressman Kevin Mullin, who represents the state’s 15^th district, which covers an area south of San Francisco.

Manassero joined other program participants in Monterey last August for a rigorous two-week orientation at the Panetta Institute, which was founded in 1997 by former CIA Director and Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and his wife, Sylvia. Then it was off to Washington for a 2½-month assignment on Capitol Hill.

“It was really transformative to talk to constituents on the phone and be that first line of support for them,” said Manassero, who plans to attend law school. “Every intern's experience is different, but for me, I really felt like I was making a difference by talking to people and making sure their concerns were heard. It was very exciting.”

The experience was life-changing, and Manassero hopes other CSUSM students consider applying for 2026. The program is open to upper-division students of all majors. Students can apply through the Career Center website by submitting a two-page essay, a resume, academic transcripts and a copy of a recently graded paper. The Career Center will host virtual information sessions about the program at noon on Feb. 17 and 26. Complete details on the sessions and applying for the internship are available on the Career Center’s Panetta Congressional Internship website.

Manassero emphasized that students shouldn’t be hesitant about applying.

“We had people who were child development majors in D.C. with us, we had finance majors, we had accounting majors, global business majors. We had all these different majors, so anyone who’s interested should apply,” Manassero said. “And no matter what degree you have, there is probably a place in government for you. If you have a child development major, maybe you'll work in the Department of Education or Health and Human Services one day. You never know, so why not apply?

“Meeting the Panettas, my time in Monterey Bay, my time in D.C., all of it was just such a wonderful experience. And I'm very grateful to the Career Center, to President Neufeldt and to the Panetta Institute.”

Learn more about the Panetta Congressional Internship by visiting the Career Center’s  website.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

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

The change in focus was shaped by her deep involvement in Associated Students, Inc., where she serves as the chair and chief of staff of CSUSM’s student government. Through ASI, Chavez joined Lobby Corps, an advocacy-focused volunteer group, and later traveled to Sacramento for the California Higher Education Student Summit, where she met with state legislators alongside students from across the CSU system.

But the final realization of where her career was headed came from an internship opportunity. It was through ASI that Chavez met Zach Bunshaft, CSUSM’s director of government relations at the time.

“Interning with Zach and seeing how higher education policies at the state level affected our campus was so impactful,” Chavez said. “These opportunities, being part of ASI and interning with Zach, changed the trajectory of my life and what I want to do.”

CSUSM’s emphasis on internships proved transformational for Chavez. It not only prepared her for the professional world, it helped her discover the type of work that she’s truly passionate about.

During her time as a government relations intern last spring, Chavez researched legislative officials to strengthen CSUSM’s advocacy efforts, engaged with policymakers at key events and explored ways to enhance student support across the region.

As the internship was nearing its end, Bunshaft met with Chavez to review the experience. When Bunshaft asked about Chavez’s future goals, she told him how much she enjoyed the internship and how the experiences she had were the types of spaces she wanted to be in.

The timing was perfect. Bunshaft had just learned about another internship opportunity with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office. Bunshaft mentored Chavez throughout the hiring process, and she was hired as an external affairs intern for Newsom’s San Diego regional office. Her responsibilities included everything from supporting outreach efforts to drafting briefs and assisting with newsletters.

“Illeana is a thoughtful, driven and reliable leader with an incredibly bright future,” said Bunshaft, who left CSUSM in December to become Newsom’s Southern California regional director of external affairs. “She has the innate ability to see the big picture and work together with others to inspire and achieve common goals.

“I’ve had the pleasure of watching her confidence and skills grow with each new opportunity she enthusiastically embraces. I’m excited to see all that she will continue to accomplish in her academics, career and public service journey.”

Chavez completed the internship with Newsom’s office in December. As she begins her final semester at CSUSM, she’s already looking ahead to the fall. She’s in the process of applying for graduate school to pursue a master’s in public policy or public administration (Cal State Fullerton, Sacramento State and San Diego State are her top choices).

She’ll take the lessons she learned in her internships with her to grad school and beyond. She knows the internship process can be intimidating for students, but she has seen firsthand how it pays off.

“The connections that we make in these internships, you never know where they're going to lead you,” she said. “I never imagined that doing an unpaid internship with Zach was going to lead me to the governor's office.

“Whether it's paid or unpaid, there are so many opportunities. No matter what, even if it seems like you are the most unqualified person in the room to do that job, just go for it. You never know what can come of that opportunity.”

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

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

In partnership with CCAE Theatricals, CSUSM’s College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences (CHABSS) launched Pathways to Purpose, a career readiness program that provides structured, paid internships for students in arts education and theater arts. Future educators gain experience designing curriculum and teaching in Escondido elementary schools, while theater students gain an introduction to administration, performance opportunities and invaluable production experience through set design, prop creation and behind-the-scenes work on live performances. 

“While there are clear career paths in fields like nursing or business, the pathway for liberal arts students may not seem as obvious at first glance,” CHABSS Dean Liora Gubkin said. “For our students, especially those who are first-generation, paid internships open doors to opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.” 

More than half of CSUSM students are the first in their families to attend college, often balancing academics with multiple jobs. For liberal arts students, especially those drawn to nonprofit and public-sector work, most internships are unpaid. Pathways to Purpose helps level the playing field by reducing financial barriers and offering real-world experience. Research shows that students who complete internships are more likely to graduate on time, secure employment and earn higher wages. And with eight out of 10 CSUSM graduates staying local, the program also strengthens the region’s cultural and educational landscape. 

“We’re proud to support CSUSM’s Pathways to Purpose program, which reflects the university’s commitment to student success,” said Joe Bowe, president of the David T. and Dorris E. Staples Foundation. “By combining paid internships, mentorship and career skills training, the program prepares students for meaningful careers in the arts and education while strengthening the local workforce.”

The Staples Foundation’s support builds on a longstanding relationship with CSUSM. Over the years, the foundation has contributed nearly $500,000 to programs such as the Alliance to Accelerate Excellence in Education, the ASI Cougar Pantry, the School of Education and the university’s All-Steinway School designation – a tribute to co-founder Dorris Staples’ love of music. 

“We’re immensely grateful to the Staples Foundation and thrilled to collaborate with CSUSM,” said Julianna Crespo, executive director of CCAE Theatricals. “The arts are essential to building vibrant communities. Partnering with CSUSM to provide students with real-world experience ensures that the next generation of artists and educators can thrive and make a lasting impact.” 

With Pathways to Purpose, the Staples Foundation is helping shape the future of the arts at CSUSM, providing students with the resources they need to transform their passions into purpose-driven careers that will benefit our region for years to come. 

“Our vision is to expand this program across all liberal arts disciplines, giving every student a chance to apply their education in real-world settings,” Gubkin said. 

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

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

According to Veterans Services Director Patricia Reily, the purpose of the grant is to assist ONR’s mission to drive Navy and Marine Corps installations to net-zero energy while providing veterans with training, education and opportunities to become part of the future energy workforce.

“There is a big push in the country to get students to study STEM,” said Reily. “There is also a need to have them within the Department of Defense.”

Starting in the spring of 2016 they expect to hire between 15 and 20 interns a year as part of the three-year initiative. The internships vary in length and depend on the needs of the requestor. The grant will also pay for a coordinator who will work with veteran students as a professional development advisor.

“Engineers will develop job descriptions with specific needs and submit them to the ESTEP coordinator,” said Reily. “Then we will target the veteran population within the Cal State University system as well as at other universities in the areas where the projects are located.”

Internships are not exclusive to CSUSM, but the student must be a veteran to qualify. Finalists are interviewed to ensure they are a good fit for the position and follow ups are conducted regularly.

CSUSM student veteran Brian Pierce, an ESTEP management intern, has already gained a valuable experience since his hire in September.

“I am very happy with my experience,” said Pierce, a U.S. Navy veteran. “The construction of a business plan from scratch is the thing I am most proud of so far, especially because I had zero experience doing this before.”

According to Pierce, the idea behind ESTEP is that veterans will be able to take their technical experience and back it up with a good education and then be placed in government positions where they can put their combined knowledge to work.

Reily defines success of the initiative as having the interns hired rapidly after graduation and ultimately working for the Department of Defense or in other STEM careers.

“Our veterans don’t realize how much they really know,” said Reily. “This is a great opportunity for them to build confidence, enhance their resumes and gain mentors that will give them a huge advantage and cutting edge in the workforce.”

Veteran students will learn about ESTEP during orientation and will receive e-mails periodically about internship openings. Students interested in acquiring about internship availability should contact Veterans Professional Development and ESTEP Coordinator Erica Korb at ekorb@csusm.edu.

This work relates to Department of Navy grant N00014-15-1-2525 issued by the Office of Naval Research. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Office of Naval Research.

During the 10-week summer program, Makenzie is getting an insider’s view on how the company, a subsidiary of Nike, continually pushes the boundaries of surfing through apparel and gear.

Hurley interns work in departments across the organization based on their skills and interests. As an innovation and design intern, Makenzie is assigned to the team responsible for some of the most forward-thinking products in the surf industry.

“Right now I’m working on two projects – one within my department and a group project with five other interns,” Makenzie said.

The group project will culminate the internship experience, with student teams presenting to visiting Nike executives.

“It’s a very big deal,” she commented.

This is the first time that a Cal State San Marcos student has interned in the Icon program, and Makenzie is working alongside students who hail from MIT and other top research institutions.

Sean Newcomer, assistant professor of kinesiology at CSUSM, says that Makenzie’s academic training in kinesiology and her hands-on experience working on his ongoing study measuring the biomechanics and physiological benefits of surfing for amateur surfers gave her a solid foundation for success at the internationally-recognized surf brand.

In addition, Makenzie credits other previous internship experience for making her Hurley application strong, including a position at Saddleback Hospital in cardiac rehabilitation where she worked with patients at high risk for cardiovascular disease.

At the end of the summer, Makenzie, who just graduated from CSUSM with her Bachelor of Science in kinesiology, will attend Cal State Long Beach to pursue a master’s degree in exercise science.

“My time at Hurley has shown me a whole other side to exercise science,” she said. “I can definitely see a future career for myself in sports performance – everything that I’m doing here could be the basis for my thesis in grad school.

Every day I come home from Hurley and I’m stoked – it’s an amazing opportunity to be part of this team and get to apply my passion for kinesiology in new ways.”

In January a new report on earnings and long-term career paths for college graduates with various undergraduate majors was released by the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) and the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems. The study found that while humanities and social science majors make slightly less upon entering the job market, at their peak earning ages they actually make slightly more than those who majored in profession-specific programs.

“Majoring in a liberal arts field can and does lead to successful and remunerative careers in a wide array of professions,” commented AAC&U President Carol Geary Schneider.

College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences (CHABSS) Dean Adam Shapiro couldn’t agree more. In fact the College’s Career Readiness Initiative (CRI) was founded one year ago in an effort to make the pathways from the classroom to the workplace even more clear for CHABSS students. 

“Our College has a strong academic foundation rooted in the values and traditions of the liberal arts," said Shapiro. "The Career Readiness Initiative aims to add even more value to what we are already offering, ensuring that students have the best launch pad for the future.”

“For students in the liberal arts, the career opportunities are ample but internships and mentoring are critical,” said CRI Faculty Director Katherine Brown. “An internship can help a student see the practical applications of his or her major, and mentoring with career professionals can help clarify what he or she wants to do after graduation.”

Internships Give Students Critical Workplace Skills

One of the best ways for students to prepare to make the jump from student to professional is to secure an internship and a mentor while still in college. This past fall semester, two CSUSM seniors majoring in economics—Justin Leonard and Shelby Bush—interned at Noble Americas Energy Solutions, a top retail energy supplier with an office located in downtown San Diego.  The internship was the first one to be officially facilitated by CRI, and represents the importance of industry-academy relationships to thoughtfully and purposefully nurture student learning.

As customer care interns, Justin and Shelby helped with data reconciliation and “true ups”—industry jargon for reconciling end-of-period invoices for clients.

“I’m finally seeing how the concepts and principles that I’m learning in my upper-division classes—such as real-time markets and forward pricing—are put into practice in the real world, ” said Shelby, who plans to graduate this spring.

Suzanne Shumate, the customer billing manager at Noble Solutions, acknowledged that the typical pathway to her department is usually a degree in finance, accounting or statistics; but she said that even more important than “book experience” is finding interns and employees with the professional “soft skills”—those who are hardworking, attentive to detail and have not only the ability to think quantitatively but have excellent communication skills too.

“Being highly organized and flexible is vital,” she said. “Potential interns and employees also need to know how to think critically, troubleshoot problems and remain positive. And of course we look for those with an interest in our industry and who have a desire to learn the business.”

According to CHABSS Dean Adam Shapiro, these soft skills are grounded in the curriculum of the college.

"Students majoring in the liberal arts learn to think critically and problem solve. They understand diverse communities and cultures and value teamwork," he said. "While our programs and classes may not explicitly focus on a particular profession, our graduates leave CSUSM attuned to the diversity of human experience and responsive to new ideas and challenges.”

Mentoring: An Important Complement to Coursework and Internships

In addition to getting hands-on career training, Justin and Shelby were matched with employee mentors at Noble Solutions, individuals who help provide additional perspective on corporate culture and business etiquette, not to mention job coaching.

“It’s a win-win situation for Noble Solutions: our mentees get partnered with someone they can always go to for informal advice, feedback and encouragement, while our mentors get an opportunity to be a leader and give back by sharing their knowledge and experience,” said Shumate. Noble Solutions also offers “lunch and learns” for its employees, casual midday meetings that foster learning and growth by focusing on different topics related to the industry or company.

Ultimately, the goal of the Career Readiness Initiative is to prepare more students like Justin and Shelby for their professional lives once they leave Cal State San Marcos. This spring semester CRI lined up 14 mentors who have been matched with students based on career interests. Brown says that the College is actively seeking others who are either interested in providing internships to liberal arts majors or providing advice through the mentoring program.

“Working relationships like the one we have with Noble Solutions help strengthen the college-wide culture of career readiness, help students who are seeking high quality internship sites, and help affiliated organizations learn more about the strengths of our CHABSS students and programs,” said Brown. “As we grow our initiative, we look forward to an increasing number of services, courses, panels, workshops, and events available to strengthen students’ preparation to be competitive for internship opportunities.” 

And as for Shelby and Justin, they both agree that their experience at Noble Solutions has helped provide a stronger launch pad into the future.

“I want all of my fellow students to have this opportunity,” said Shelby. “My time at Noble Solutions has been an amazing chance to grow professionally.”

“I couldn’t have asked for a better internship experience,” said Justin. “I’ve learned so much in such a short amount of time.”