The Career Development Center focuses on sophomore success

     The career center at California State University, Long Beach, will begin the 2^nd phase of Project Rise beginning in the spring, a program focused on partnering sophomores with mentors to help them navigate their college decisions.

     The Career Development Center received a grant from the Student Services Division to initiate the program this year. Project Rise recruited nearly 100 sophomores to participate and paired the students with graduated alumni as mentors. The mentors help participants to select a major, explore careers, and seek advice. The group meets twice a month, but the pairs can meet on an individual basis at any time and are encouraged to do so.

     The students give feedback after each session, “Their [the students’] retention is good which seems to be a good indicator of the program’s success.” said internship counselor and the project’s adviser, Erin Booth. Pre-tests and post tests are given to gauge results and if the Student Services Division makes a grant available next year, a 2^nd-year proposal will be given for Project Rise. “If we want to continue the program we will need to find funding, but certain aspects of the project will continue regardless.” said Booth about the future of the project. The grant currently pays the mentors wages and funds outings for the participants.

     This spring semester will focus on preparing the students with internship skills, by teaching them how to network and build a resume. There are site visits planned for the students to visit employers looking for interns, the Port of Long Beach is the first confirmed visit for Project Rise students this spring.

     The students will be putting their new skills in action at an Internship Conference on March 22, from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. in front of the pyramid, which is open for all CSULB students to attend.