How CSUN David Nazarian College of Business & Economics Creates Career-Ready Students

Vault recently spoke with Craig Oka and Danielle Rodriguez at the Career Education and Professional Development Center (CEPD) at California State University at Northridge’s David Nazarian College of Business & Economics. We spoke with Craig and Danielle about the important part that career services offices play in the career search of students, what the Nazarian College of Business at CSUN is doing to prepare their students for success in today’s job market, and more. Below is an excerpt of that conversation.

Vault: Thanks so much for taking the time to speak with us today. To start with, can you talk a little about the important part that career services offices, in general, play in the career trajectories of students?

CSUN: Career service offices typically serve as hubs for students and alumni. They offer comprehensive research on various professions, career paths, industry trends, as well as detailed information on internship opportunities, full-time job listings, and networking events. In addition, career service offices provide information on the qualifications students need to succeed in their desired roles. This could include personalized guidance through resume workshops, interview prep sessions, and career counseling. These services are crucial in helping students polish their professional profiles and develop essential soft skills that employers value. In a competitive job market, having access to expert advice and resources can significantly boost a candidate’s confidence and readiness. Tapping into these resources that career services offer is essential to landing internships and building a fulfilling career. 

Vault: In the past few years, many schools have been placing an increasing emphasis on providing career support to students. Today, which types of services do you find students are seeking from career centers versus what they’ve looked for in the past and what traditionally has been offered? 

CSUN: Just like many other career centers, CEPD has seen an increase in the demand for assistance with career exploration, resume development, and preparing for and succeeding in experiential learning opportunities. Other requests we have received include help with professional headshots, finding a mentor, and developing a social media profile for professional branding.

Vault: What are some of the specific strategies that CSUN’s Nazarian CEPD offers its students?

CSUN: While each campus has their own strategies, at CSUN Nazarian CEPD we understand the importance of career exploration and have tailored resources that support students and professionals at every stage of their journeys. Our commitment is to empower students to achieve their career aspirations. For example, our Passport Program is designed to guide undergraduate business students in honing their career-building and networking abilities. Participants in this program have access to a wide range of professional development activities, including career exploration and preparation through networking, shadowing, and mentoring. A key component of the program is encouraging students early on to leverage Vault as a resource for understanding the nuances between different industries and roles, while also exploring the areas that pique their interest.

Vault: What do you see as the goal of the Passport Program?

CSUN: The goal of the Passport Program is to prepare business students for future leadership roles in the global business environment by providing them with essential skills, networking opportunities, and practical experiences. The program aims to foster a learning environment where students develop into confident, innovative leaders with a strong understanding of business dynamics and the ability to make meaningful contributions in their fields.

Vault: In what other ways do you help your students with their career path discovery?

CSUN: Our team at CEPD is committed to ensuring this crucial information reaches our students. Vault is well known for its in-depth industry guides, which offer students valuable insights into various career paths. These guides provide a deep dive into industry work environments, offering expert advice on launching or transitioning careers. They’re grounded in feedback from Vault’s employee and intern surveys. To get the most eyes on these titles, we prominently feature an array of Vault guides in the “Explore Career Paths” sections of our website. By integrating Vault Guides in our website, students are better equipped to make career decisions. And this integration allows students to explore industries and job opportunities within the same platform, maximizing the value of their research.

Vault: Do you (or your students) have a favorite Vault guide or feature?

CSUN: We have a strong accounting population, so the annual top accounting firms guide is always a fan favorite. Yet, you also produce several interview preparation guides that our students have said helped them ace their interviews. The verified reviews from interns and employees also are a favorite for students who are seeking insights to those companies where we don’t have alumni representation. Last but not least, we heavily use and recommend the Intern Resource Center in Vault. With so many of our students looking to intern but unsure where to start, this page is a tremendous resource for all of our students. 

Vault: Before we end, is there anything else you’d like to share with students who are still trying to discover the right fit for them? 

CSUN: Students want to learn and grow, but they often don’t know where to start. Sometimes they don’t even know where a career services office is located or that we exist. By having amazing resources like Vault and programming like our Passport Program, career services meet the students where they are and get them guidance and resources they need to successfully transition from student to professional. 

Vault: We couldn’t agree more! 

Craig Oka is the Director of CEPD and shaped it into the office it is today. Craig has worked at CSUN Nazarian College since 2001. In 2012, he helped transform the Internship Program into the Career Education and Professional Development Center. As the Director, he creates new programs and events for students to explore career opportunities and grow professionally. He also delivers various professional development workshops and office presentations, and meets with students individually to provide guidance on topics like resumes, cover letters, interview preparation, and career advice.

Danielle Rodriguez is the Programs Manager of CEPD. She has been a part of the CEPD family since April 2015. As the Programs Manager, Danielle organizes, promotes, and evaluates events like Industry Night, Women in Business, and other employer events. She delivers various professional development workshops and office presentations. She also meets with students individually to provide guidance on topics like resumes, cover letters, interview preparation, and career advice.