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.
- Attend events labeled as employer info, hiring, or career fair on the Handshake Events tab to connect with recruiters hiring Cal State LA students.
- Make sure your wardrobe is ready for career fairs, interviews, and the workplace; the Career Clothing Closet can help you suit up for success.
- Bring your updated résumé to the employer events; use our Résumé and Letter Builder to update or write your first draft; review AI feedback using the Cal State LA résumé rubric (available inside the builder).
- 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 events.
- Complete certifications for in-demand skills, such as Applying Generative AI as a Business Professional, Learning Excel: Data Analysis, and Project Management Foundations; use your Cal State LA LinkedIn Learning account.
- Add the certifications to your résumé to show additional qualifications and transferrable skills.
- Review the Credential Value Index to evaluate which credentials, from certifications to bootcamps to professional courses, can move your career forward.
- Apply early — start actively searching 6 months before graduation.
- Use Handshake to find full-time jobs with employers hiring Cal State LA students.
- 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 our Focus2 career assessment to explore your options first.
- 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 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).
- Visit the Career Clothing Closet 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.