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Every college student travels their own road from campus to the professional world, and Cal State Long Beach is ready to help along the entire way.

This can start with programs for new students getting accustomed to college life. The next stop may be a campus-supported internship, and The Beach can direct students and alumni toward job listings, networking and lifelong learning.

“The support really helped me to keep going and finish strong at Cal State Long Beach,” said Lauryn Hwang, ‘24, now starting out on her accounting career.

Hwang turned to the Career Development Center and Bob Murphy Access Center before completing a bachelors' of business administration. These are among many resources for students and alumni heading toward their first job, or a more direct route to professional advancement.

Getting the “BESST” start to the Beach Experience

Beach students do not have to go it alone. Beach XP and Beach Engineering Student Success Team (BESST) show newcomers the ins and outs of college life.

BESST is for College of Engineering students and Beach XP replicates it for other colleges. Both are for first-year students and common elements include peer mentoring and a cohort-based approach, so participants find camaraderie while taking courses together.

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"I felt like I got closer with not only my peers, but also my professors,” said first-year engineering student Anthony Villa, who would recommend BESST to any incoming engineering student.

BESST also includes tutoring, courses on calculus and the engineering profession and the Beach XP class. The last has featured discussions of summer sessions, financial aid and test preparation, Villa said.

The Beach XPerience Learning Hub is another asset, providing online connections to such supports as tutoring, financial aid counseling, networking and mental health services.

Moving up to internships

Internships are a great way for students to experience workplace dynamics before graduation. Cassandra Perez, a fourth-year psychology student, completed three internships via College Corps @ the Beach.

Perez interned with Roundhouse Aquarium in Manhattan Beach; Maye Center, which operates an urban farm in Long Beach, and Long Beach Forward, a social justice organization.

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She also served as a College Corps student ambassador and joined the College Corps Student Leadership Academy in 2023-24, appearing with Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson in a call to encourage locals to join state-supported service organizations.

“I feel way more prepared and a lot less anxious about graduating,” Perez said. “It’s really good to focus on your studies, but having a balance of education and experience is what employers are looking for.”

The Academic Internships Office coordinates College Corps @ The Beach, the Long Beach Community Internship Program and Project Resilience. The office links students to internships and scholarships.

Making the college to career leap

The Career Development Center assists students and alumni with services including workshops, job fairs, and CareerLINK job listings.

Hwang, who graduated in December and is preparing to take the certified public accountants' exam, sought help from the center after transferring from College of San Mateo. She attended workshops, such as a resume crafting session, and received tutoring assistance.

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Hwang identifies as an alumna with a disability and also received support from BMAC, which has assisted Beach students for more than 50 years. She obtained accommodation for her exams and joined the WorkAbility IV program, offered in partnership with the California Department of Rehabilitation, which has helped her to be aware of her workplace rights.

“We’re working hard, but the people here want us to succeed,” Hwang said. “That support really helped me to keep going and feeling strong at Cal State Long Beach.”

Staying close to alumni

The Beach Journey concept holds that Commencement begins a new stage in the campus-alumni relationship. Many who earn bachelor’s degrees at ���ֳǹ��� return for graduate or certificate programs.

Brandy Edwards ‘09 completed a bachelor's in recreation and, shortly thereafter, a Meeting and Event Planning Certificate. The latter is among several certificates focused on career skills.

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Edwards is a senior analyst for Hyatt Hotels Corp., overseeing its learning management system. The certificate aligned with her early career trajectory, and contacts she has made through that program and as a ���ֳǹ��� Alumni member have proven valuable. This bears out the wisdom of her instructors who emphasized networking during her undergraduate days.

“That was a big focus,” Edwards said. “It’s really helpful to have professors who help you with that.”