You’ve built the skills—now take the next step with confidence.
For Fourth-Year Seniors • Second-Year Transfer • Second-Year Graduate Students
This step prepares you to confidently launch your career or continue your education. From completing your final experiences to securing job or school offers, you’ll wrap up college with momentum—and a plan.
What To Do
Open each item to find links, tools, and support to help you take action.
- Use Handshake to attend events labeled “hiring”, “employer info”, or “career fair” to connect with recruiters hiring Cal State LA students.
- Go to the Employers tab on Handshake and use the "industry" filter to search by your interest, such as healthcare, biotech, nonprofit, film/media, or public service — follow employers of interest to get job updates and career tips in your feed.
- Don’t count yourself out if you don’t meet 100% of the job qualifications — focus on the job duties. If the role interests you and you have related experience, you may be a great fit.
- If you don't know which jobs interest you, use What Can I Do with This Major?, or take a career assessment to explore your options first.
- Get free certificates in business or tech skills — useful in any major — through your Cal State LA LinkedIn Learning account.
- Add them to your résumé to show additional qualifications and transferrable skills.
- Apply for opportunities at least 6 months in advance of your target start date after graduation — use Handshake to find full-time jobs with employers hiring Cal State LA students.
- Use our Résumé and Letter Builder to customize your résumé and cover letter for each opportunity; use the AI résumé and cover letter alignment tools to ensure your materials match the position (available inside the builder).
- Use the Interview Practice System → select “mock interview” → then “general,” “industry,” or “admissions” interviews under “general” to practice so you’re ready when your application leads to an interview; review the AI feedback to strengthen your answers (available inside the practice system).
- Visit the Career Clothing Closet to to dress professionally for your major.
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.