Career Center Frequently Asked Questions

General FAQ

• How can I contact the Career Center?
  You may reach us by phone (760-750-4900) or email (careers@csusm.edu). 
• Where can I check out your upcoming workshops and events?
  Please visit our homepage where you can view “Upcoming Events”. You can also log into your Handshake account and click on the “Events” tab to view and register for workshops and events. 
• Does the Career Center accept donations of professional attire?
  Yes, we are continuing to accept donations for the Cougar Career Closet. Please visit our homepage, select “Signature Programs,” and then “Cougar Career Closet” and review the drop-off instructions located at the bottom of the webpage.

Student FAQ

• How do I make an appointment with a Career Counselor?
  Log into your Handshake account, click “Career Center” in the top right corner, and then select “Appointments.” 
• Do you offer drop-in/same-day appointments?
  No, we do not offer drop-in/same-day appointments. 
• Do you offer professional attire?
  Yes! The Cougar Career Closet 
• How can I submit a resume/cover letter/CV to be critiqued?

  Log into your Handshake account, click “Career Center” in the top right corner, and then select “Resources.” Scroll down and select “Critique Request for Resume/CV/Cover Letter.”

  Your document will be critiqued and returned to you via email.  

• Can you help me prepare for an interview?

  Yes! You can either use Big Interview, an online tool where you can practice interview questions and record your responses, or you can schedule an appointment with a Career Counselor by logging into your Handshake account, clicking “Career Center” in the top right corner, and then by selecting “Appointments.” 

   

• How do I update my phone number or email on Handshake?
  You can change your phone number and add an additional email through Handshake by clicking on your profile in the top right corner and selecting “Privacy & Settings.” Please note that you cannot change your campus email address. 
• How can I access career assessments?

  For the TypeFocus assessment, please log into your Handshake account, click “Career Center” in the top right corner, and then select “Resources.” Scroll down and select “TypeFocus v7.”  

  For all other career assessments, you will need to schedule a “Career Assessment Request” appointment with a Career Counselor by logging into your Handshake account, clicking “Career Center” in the top right corner, and then by selecting “Appointments.”  

• Do I have to be enrolled in an internship course to receive academic credit for an internship?

  Yes, you must be enrolled in an internship course to receive credit for it. If you have completed an internship in the past but were not enrolled in an internship course during that time, you cannot receive credit for it. 

  Please refer to our Credit Internships for Students page for more information, including lists of available internship courses.

• Where can I internship information?

  Instructions for searching for and securing a credit internship can be found on our Credit Internships for Students page.

  The S4 Database is where you can search for both paid and unpaid credit internships. Please visit our homepage, select “Internships,” then “For Students,” and then select either “Credit Internships” to view full instructions or “Academic Internships Database” to view opportunities. 

  All other paid internships (non-credit) are found in Handshake.  We do not offer non-paid, not for credit internships.

   

Alumni FAQ

• For how long can alumni access Career Center services?
  All services are available for six months after graduation. After the six-month period, alumni can continue to receive services by becoming a member of the CSUSM Alumni Association
• How do I know if I am part of the Alumni Association?

  Please email the Career Center careers@csusm.edu with your full name, student ID number, and year of graduation so that we can verify whether you have access to our services.  

• How can first-time alumni access Handshake?
  Once you have joined the CSUSM Alumni Association, alumni can log into Handshake.

Employer FAQ 

• As an employer, how can I contact the Career Center?
  You may reach us by phone (760-750-4900) or email careers@csusm.edu   
• Where can I post paid job listings for students?
  Handshake is where you can post your paid job listings for students. First, you need to create an employer profile and fill out the requirements. For questions regarding your job posting, please contact Brenda Dumas (bdumas@csusm.edu). 
• How do I create an employer Handshake account?
  Please follow the directions from this Handshake article on how to create your account. You may contact us with any questions by phone (760-750-4900) or email careers@csusm.edu.
• As an employer, I have a non-paid or paid internship opportunity I would like to promote for academic credit. Where can I post it?
  The S4 Database is where you can post your non-paid or paid internship opportunity for academic credit. First, you need to apply for a partnership with the university by completing all steps on our Internships for Community Members page.
• As an employer, I have a non-credit paid internship opportunity I would like to promote. Where can I post it?
  Handshake is where you can post your non-credit paid internship opportunity. First, you need to create an employer profile and fill out the requirements. For questions regarding your internship posting, please contact Brenda Dumas bdumas@csusm.edu.   

Faculty & Staff FAQ

• How can I post an on-campus student assistant position?
  Please refer to our Campus Employment webpage under the “Departmental Guidelines and Resources” section. 
• How can I have the Career Center present in my class?

  Request a Presentation

  IMPORTANT: Please submit your request three weeks in advance of your desired presentation date. After submitting the form, a career counselor will follow up with you directly to confirm.