
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 from professionals.
- 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.
- Update your career interests and profile to get personalized opportunities.
- Not sure what to enter? Use What Can I Do with This Major or take our Focus2 career assessment.
- Upload your professional photo; take one for free at our Career Photo Booth.
- 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
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.