CSUMB’s Fall 2023 Job and Internship Fair creates connections and opportunities

By Mark Muckenfuss 

Alena Porte pointed to a poster on her table littered with material promoting the Ventana Wildlife 

Society, such as a deer antler, a section of whale baleen, a plush vulture and educational pamphlets. 

“This is my first CSUMB intern, Yulisse Ochoa,” said Porte, education and outreach manager for Ventana, pointing to a young woman at the center of the photograph. “She’s now full-time. She runs our nature wellness program and does weekly classes. She was fantastic and still is. We’re hoping to repeat that.”

Porte’s table was in the middle of a bustling job and internship fair on Tuesday at CSU Monterey Bay’s University Center. More than 30 employers from various industries attended the event to talk with students and community members about training and work opportunities. 

In addition to Porte’s organization, others on hand included Natividad, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Pebble Beach Resorts, California State Parks, Special Kids Connect, the Santa Cruz and Berkeley police departments, and more. 

Junior-year psychology major Jesenia Orozco said she came to the fair just to see what she might be able to find. She was interested in what the Santa Cruz Police Department had to offer, as well as a human resources company that was in the mix. 

“They have a need for psychologists in their field,” Orozco said of the latter organization. “They’ve given me the steps and tools to talk to them more and get an interview.”

Accompanying Orozco was senior Celeste Gonzalez, also a psychology major. Unlike Orozco, she didn’t think a career with the police was an option for her. 

“I’m too soft for that,” Gonzalez said. “But I connected with Health Career Connections for their summer internship. This event helps.”

CSUMB career counselors were on site to help with introductions and answer questions. But most students seemed to be doing fine on their own in the friendly atmosphere. 

Several company representatives said the fair is an important way for them to find good local talent. 

“I rely on this job fair a lot,” said Nadine Burke, human resources manager for Monterey Fuel Company, which is affiliated with Monterey Jet Center and Del Monte Aviation. The company, which provides ground-based services for private pilots using the Monterey Airport, is a good opportunity for business and hospitality majors, she said. She currently has two CSUMB interns “and they’re both fabulous.”

“Recruiting is all about marketing and keeping your opportunity in front of local students,” Burke added.

The fair, organized by the CSUMB Career Development office, is a good way for local companies to do just that.