Weeklong career fairs a first for CSUMB

By Mark Muckenfuss

This year, for the first time, the Cal State Monterey Bay spring career fairs will be held in a single week, starting March 9. 

Five career fairs will be held over five days. More than 240 Monterey County employers are expected to attend, offering internships, service learning opportunities and full- and part-time job opportunities. Both students and the public are invited to attend. 

Rhonda Mercadal-Evans, executive director for the Center of Experiential Learning and Innovation, said consolidating the different career fairs into a single week is meant to boost student participation and is one of the ways in which CSUMB is addressing the workforce needs of the region.  

“The president and provost are deeply committed to ensuring every student participates in experiential learning,” said Mercadal-Evans. “By bringing employers to campus in one concentrated week, we are removing barriers, expanding opportunity, and making it easier for students to translate their education into real-world impact.”

She emphasized that the career component CSUMB promotes is “not an add-on but as an essential component of student success.”

The following events will be held March 9-13 at the University Center:

• Natural Sciences Fair: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday
• Agriculture Fair: 2-5 p.m., Tuesday
• General Career Fair: Noon to 3 p.m., Wednesday
• Teacher Education Fair: 2-5 p.m., Thursday

In addition, a graduate school fair is scheduled from noon to 2 p.m. Friday, on the third floor of the Tanimura & Antle Family Memorial Library. 

The center recently held a weeklong series of workshops to help students update or create professional resumes and cover letters. Students who were unable to attend can schedule one-on-one appointments with career coaches for individualized support.

Mercadal-Evans emphasized that students should do any such work before the fairs.  

“We encourage students to come prepared and to be ready to say yes if an employer offers an on-the-spot interview,” she said. 

Those who do attend, she said, are often surprised by what they find. 

“Students often don’t realize the full range of possibilities connected to their degrees,” Mercadal-Evans said. “They leave with powerful ‘aha’ moments. A communications design student may discover opportunities in parks and recreation. A biology major may connect with environmental policy organizations. These moments expand vision and build confidence.”

She’s encouraging the whole campus to get behind the effort.

“We’re really hoping faculty will integrate career readiness into coursework and offer academic incentives,” she said. 

One metric from past fairs tells her the process is working. 

“Students are getting jobs,” she said. “That is the outcome that matters. When students graduate with both a degree and real-world experience, we fulfill our mission.”