Explore Career Paths

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You don’t have to be sure—just stay curious and open.

For Second-Year Sophomores • First-Year Transfer • First-Year Graduate Students

Start narrowing your focus and building confidence in your career direction. This step helps you explore real-world paths and develop your résumé, interview skills, and connections.

What To Do

Open each item to find links, tools, and support to help you take action.

  • Use What Can I Do with This Major? → select your major or a similar major → view the listed areas → review the common career paths and employers → select 2 to 3 career paths that interest you.
  • Still not sure? Take our Focus2 career assessment to find jobs and majors that match your interests, values, and personality.

  • Attend events labeled as guidance on the Handshake Events tab to learn about different career options and hear directly from professionals.
  • Attend with purpose—explore career paths and dress professionally to leave a lasting impression. Need support? The Career Clothing Closet can help you find the right look for every opportunity.
  • After attending an event, take the next step—connect with professionals who can share their real-world insight.
    • Go to the People tab in Handshake to find alumni in your major.
    • Go to the Employers tab in Handshake to find employers of interest and connect with the people listed on the employer page.
    • Talk with 2 to 3 alumni or professionals who share your interests.
    • Use our Career Conversation Questions to guide your conversations and gain deeper insight.

  • Use our college résumé sample in our Résumé & Letter Builder to write your first draft; review AI feedback using the Cal State LA résumé rubric (available inside the builder).
  • Use our Interview Practice System → choose a mock interview → select a general one and choose an internship interview; review the AI feedback to improve your answers (available inside the practice system).
  • Preparing now helps you build confidence even before you're actively applying. 

We’re Here to Help

Career Guides

Get Support

Schedule a Career Center appointment through Navigate LA (Student Life & Wellness) for:

  • Career Exploration & Planning
  • Résumé & Cover Letter Writing
  • Interview Practice
Cal State LA Career Center

 

Call: 323.343.3237

Email: [email protected]

Visit: Between the Student Health Center and the University Gym

Hours: M-Th, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. and F, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.