ACCESS: Accelerated Career Exploration for Student Success
Diamond Key Professional Development Program
This innovative, four-year program complements the College of Business curriculum and builds the additional skills necessary for professional success. It is a set of comprehensive experiences, delivered by business experts, strategically woven into the academic curriculum. Under the leadership of Susan Szasz, the program offered 11 powerful workshops in 2017-18. Over 1000 students have participated in Diamond Key workshops since 2015.
Internship Excellence Program
Coordinator Suzanne Kroeze and her team provide students with guidance in resume writing and interview preparation. They also work with employers to develop and manage internship opportunities. Hila Safaei (BSBA 2017) found an internship at Credit Consulting Services (CCS) which helped launch her career. The company’s CEO, Rodney Meeks, claimed, “Hila is my best CSUMB hire to date and has agreed to accept a full time position in sales after graduation.” During AY2017-18, 74 internships were secured with 60 organizations, including Ascend Business Consulting, Capital Insurance Group, Credit Consulting Services, Driscoll’s, Granite Crete, Hayashi Wayland, Mann Packing, Mazda Raceway, Monterey Drone, Pebble Beach Company, Rotary Club, Seminole Financial Consultants, Tanimura & Antle, TMI Data, and Tostevin Accounting. Since its inception in 2014, the program has offered over 180 internships to College of Business students.
Career Gateway Program
Program Coordinator Martha Kostas works with firms and organizations to offer events which help students explore career opportunities and connect with potential employers. The AY2017-18 program included Edward Jones Co hosting A Day in the Life of a Financial Advisor; C.H. Robinson’s on-campus presentation of Career Opportunities and a career shadowing event at their offices in Ryan Ranch; and the Banking Career Fair with representatives from Wells Fargo Bank, Rabobank, and First Capital Bank. The premier event of the year was Essential Steps to Building a Career, a discussion panel highlighting careers in the Agriculture industry featuring Wyatt Meigs and Coy Williams from C.H. Robinson, Cathryn Schofield from Driscoll’s Berries, and Adolfo Bucio from Tanimura & Antle. The program has provided 23 workshops and recruiting events since it’s launch in 2016.