Career Help When You Need It

“Career Services understands that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to change college recruitment, and we are committed to connecting students to employers and employment.”

As students prepare to navigate the changing job market during the COVID-19 pandemic, San Diego State University Career Services remains a critical resource in assisting students in meeting their professional goals. 

Career Services has pivoted quickly this semester to support students with real-time advice via a new virtual front desk accessible on Zoom. It recommitted resources to expand access to career advising and is now repositioning the annual Just In Time career fair to a virtual three-day event to be held May 19-21. Event details will be available on the center’s website starting the week of May 4.

“Career Services understands that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to change college recruitment, and we are committed to connecting students to employers and employment,” said James Tarbox, Career Services director. “We champion student success by addressing the full range of career development – from defining interest and goals to securing jobs and internships.”

Ricky Licona, a foods and nutrition major from San Diego, has been learning virtually from home with breaks for at-home workouts, mastering inline skating and volunteering with Mama’s Kitchen. He recently learned about Career Services offering free access to the Strong Interest Inventory, an assessment that provides direction on choosing majors and identifying career paths.

“I learned that my highest interest areas that motivate me are a combination of counseling and helping others, with some conventional structure, and investigative aspects of problem-solving.” Licona said. “Through the assessment and talking through with my counselor, I now know other possible jobs that I hadn’t previously considered.”

Tarbox said Career Services was confident that students would see the value of the Strong Interest Inventory, which Career Services began offering to students at no charge on March 27. To date, 279 students have registered for the inventory. This window for free assessments ends June 30.

“It’s like both Career Services and SDSU didn’t skip a beat since they moved quickly to transition all essential services online,” Licona said. “Considering that it took a few major changes and some years to get here, the (Strong Interest Inventory) results showed me that I’m on the right track with my current career goals.”  

Career Services has leveraged Handshake, its online employment platform, in March and April to connect students to employers and jobs and internships. Handshake also gives students the ability to schedule appointments with Career Services staff, to participate in events – including updated virtual workshops – and to take advantage of an expanding menu of information sessions and employment opportunities that employers make available as they move university recruitment fully online.

Students will have the opportunity to attend virtual workshops until the end of the semester that focus on job searching and connecting to professional communities – with more workshops still being added for finals week and throughout May. Learn more and register on Handshake.

May graduates also will find other resources tailored specifically to their needs. Career Services is adding AMP Career Compass for graduating seniors in mid-May, and this summer session of the Aztec Mentor Program will focus on connecting students to professionals. Registration information will be emailed directly to graduating seniors. In June, the center will offer its annual Life After SDSU series for recent graduates and alumni. 

Graduating seniors are also being encouraged to participate in the Graduating Senior Survey. Career Services is leading the campuswide effort to learn more from students about their Aztec Experience. To take the survey and learn about the weekly prize drawings, visit the Graduating Senior Survey page.