Think you’re not ready? That’s exactly why internships exist—to help you build skills, not prove them.
For Third-Year Juniors • First-Year Transfer • First-Year Graduate Students
This step helps you apply your learning in real-world settings. From internships to jobs to research, now’s the time to gain experience, build your network, and show future employers what you’re ready for.
What To Do
Open each item to find links, tools, and support to help you take action.
- Choose résumé-building experiences that match your interests and use our Career Action Plan Template to plan ahead.
- Use Handshake to apply for internships or part-time jobs related to your major that are offered by employers seeking Cal State LA students.
- Apply for paid projects, or micro-internships, that you can do remotely for employers.
- Not sure if you are ready? Try out career experiences with Forage to build skills and explore career paths through virtual job simulations provided by top companies; completions can be added to your résumé.
- Apply for a fellowship in a related area of academic and applied research or global and civic learning
- Apply for a student job on campus related to your major
- On Handshake, go to the Jobs tab and filter for internship, fellowship, on-campus student employment, or part-time job to start your search
- Use keywords that match your interests, such as community outreach, public policy, research assistant, program coordinator, or media production.
- Apply early — most internships and student jobs open 3 to 6 months before they begin.
- Use our Résumé and Letter Builder to customize your résumé for each opportunity; use the AI résumé alignment tools to make sure your résumé fits the job description (available inside the builder).
- Start with our modern cover letter sample in our Résumé and Letter Builder; use the AI cover letter rubric and alignment assessment to make sure your cover letter matches the job (available inside the builder).
- Get ready to interview - Use our Interview Practice System → choose a mock interview → select a general one and choose an industry or admissions interview to practice; review the AI feedback to strengthen your answers (available inside the practice system).
- Attend events labeled as employer info, hiring, or career fair on the Handshake Events tab.
- Dress professionally to make a strong impression; visit the Career Clothing Closet for support.
- After attending an event, take the next step—connect with employers on Handshake.
- Go to the Employers tab in Handshake and use the industry filter to search by your interest, such as movies/TV/music/gaming, social assistance, biotech & life sciences, or healthcare.
- Follow employers you are interested in to get updates when they post jobs or career tips.
- Add samples of your class projects on Handshake.
- Upload your professional photo; take one for free at our Career Photo Booth.
- Create or improve your LinkedIn profile using our LinkedIn Profile Checklist; use our Professional Brand Worksheet to build your professional brand intro.
We’re Here to Help
Career Guides
Get Support
Schedule a Career Center appointment through Navigate LA (Student Life & Wellness) for:
- Job/Internship Search
- Résumé & Cover Letter Writing
- Interview Practice
- Career Clothing Closet
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.