Life After Graduation Pro Tip: Stay Connected with SDSU's Career Services

As graduation approaches, SDSU Career Services offers support in transition to postgraduate life.

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

SDSU's career services are accessible and open to alumni including career fairs and various employment connection activities such as employer information sessions and panel discussions. (SDSU)

As the class of 2023 and their families prepare for San Diego State University’s upcoming Commencement weekend, the celebrations are not the only thing on their minds.

The question of what to do next lingers among graduates preparing for postgraduate life. For some, graduating means embracing experiences they never could have imagined for themselves, and encouraging adventure as they pursue their dreams. For others, an uncertain future can be anxiety-inducing. The not knowing, while adventurous, is not always welcome.

Daniel Newell, SDSU's Career Services executive director, said it's common to see new grads experience excitement about entering the workforce coupled with stress, nervousness, or confusion.

“Students want to explore and obtain meaningful work experience while they're in school,” said Newell. “The skills, subject matter expertise, and experience gained from work opportunities and education combined will set students and graduates up for successful transition into the workforce.”

However, as SDSU alumni, campus resources will still be available as recent graduates transition into early careers. SDSU Career Services offers alumni guidance and support through networking opportunities, career counseling, and job fairs virtually and in person.

“After graduation, grads can still access Handshake, attend career fairs, and various employment connection activities such as employer information sessions, panel discussions, and more,” said Newell.

Currently, all SDSU students and alumni have access to the online platform Handshake, a career-building network. However, SDSU emails expire one year after graduation, and alumni will need to submit an Alumni Services Request Form for alumni access to Handshake.

Though their time as undergraduates will be over, SDSU Career Services can continue to support them as alumni, providing crucial and meaningful career guidance toward their professional goals.

“Career Services has currently redesigned its industry relations model and unveiled a new menu for employers,” said Newell. “By the start of the fall semester, Career Services will be offering a much more robust, modern, selection of offerings for students and alumni while expanding the number of jobs and internships.

“Career Services is also reinventing its relationship and collaboration with the Alumni Association. We currently have many new and innovative programs and services in the pipeline to support students and alumni entering the workforce.”

SDSU Career Services is open in-person Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. If unable to meet in person, the virtual help desk operates Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. via Zoom. For more information, visit SDSU Career Services.