Faculty & Staff

Partnering with the CSUN Career Center: Empowering Student Success

Helping Students Rise: How Faculty & Staff Can Make an Impact

CSUN faculty and staff play a pivotal role in preparing students for life beyond the classroom. Career development is not just about finding a job after graduation—it’s about building confidence, developing skills, and making meaningful connections that will shape students’ professional futures. The CSUN Career Center is here to support you in integrating career readiness into your work with students, ensuring they graduate with a clear plan and the tools to succeed.

By partnering with us, you can enhance student learning, provide access to career-building experiences, and connect them with industry professionals who can help them take the next step in their journey. Together, we can bridge the gap between academic knowledge and real-world success.

Ways to Engage & Support Student Career Development

Share Your Career Story

Students are eager to hear from faculty and staff who have navigated their own career paths. By sharing your journey—your challenges, successes, and key learning moments—you provide students with real-world insights and encourage them to think about their own career aspirations. These conversations can help students connect coursework to future opportunities and make informed decisions about their professional goals.

Encourage Experiential Learning

Internships, research opportunities, and hands-on experiences are essential for career readiness. Employers prioritize candidates who have practical experience in their fields, and students rely on faculty and staff to guide them toward these opportunities. Encourage students to participate in internships, campus employment, and service-learning projects that align with their career interests.

Integrate Career Readiness into Coursework

Career planning doesn’t have to be separate from academics. Consider incorporating CareerLink’s resources, job market trends, and industry insights into your syllabus. Faculty can request guest presentations, workshops, or class assignments that help students develop job search strategies, resume-building skills, and networking techniques.

Promote Career Events & Employer Connections

Networking is one of the most effective ways students land jobs and internships. Encourage students to attend career fairs, industry panels, and employer networking events hosted by the Career Center. Faculty and staff can also facilitate introductions between students and alumni or industry partners to expand their professional networks.

Empower Students Through Strengths-Based Learning

When students understand and leverage their strengths, they build confidence and resilience. The Career Center offers StrengthsFinder assessments and personalized career coaching to help students identify their unique skills and how they apply to different industries. Partner with us to create customized lessons and workshops that support student career development.

Are You Registered with Handshake? Set Up Your Profile!

Handshake is CSUN’s career engagement platform, where students and employers connect for job and internship opportunities. Faculty and staff can use Handshake to stay informed about employer partnerships, career fairs, and industry trends that benefit students.

How to Get Started on Handshake:

• Visit csun.edu/careerlink/handshake
• Log in using your CSUN credentials
• Complete your profile to stay connected with career opportunities and employer engagement

Connect with the Career Center & Support Student Success

The Career Center is here to collaborate with faculty and staff in helping students rise and build bright futures. Whether you need resources for your class, want to connect students with employers, or are looking for ways to integrate career readiness into your work, we are here to support you.