Cheryl Love from the Career Center
CPP Magazine

Help Wanted

Career Counselor Assists Students with Their Next Steps

By Melanie Johnson

For the past six years, Career Center counselor and Clothes Closet coordinator Cheryl Love has been working to get students ready for life after graduation. As part of a staff of 15, Love says the most rewarding aspect of her job is helping students find their path. 

I think the polytechnic aspect of Cal Poly Pomona makes the university unique. For example, the Career Center’s Clothes Closet has become a learning lab for apparel merchandising and management students. I have three interns this semester.

Also, students studying retail simulation in the apparel merchandising and management department get placed in different retail settings on campus, including the Clothes Closet, so they see all aspects of what working in a store is like.

Teamwork. Regardless of the industry, employers are looking for people who can play well with others. Also, they want people who can communicate and problem solve. Whether you’re an engineer or a kindergarten teacher, you’re going to have to do some problem-solving.

Leadership. If there’s a problem to solve or a program to implement, can this individual take the lead and make sure those things happen?

Other core competencies include professionalism, career management, oral and written communication skills, and the ability to use technology.

Because learn by doing is at the core of all that happens here, we have students who are very good at problem-solving. The polytechnic aspect helps them develop excellent communication skills and the ability to work with diverse populations.

Career readiness is a part of GI 2025. [GI 2025 is a CSU initiative to increase graduation rates for all students while eliminating achievement gaps.] The shift is that career readiness is not just the responsibility of those of us in career services. It’s a campus-wide responsibility. We do some good things, but getting everybody to the party is going to help us do great things.

We created a four-year timeline that guides students from their freshman year, so when they are done, they will be ready for career opportunities.

We’re helping students understand the importance of things like extracurricular/co-curricular activities. Employers say they want students who do well in their classes, but they also want someone who is engaged in the campus community.

Career readiness is a process that starts freshman year. It is something you work on throughout your time and beyond.

The Spring Career Fair.

Professional and Career Readiness

Our curricular and co-curricular learning experiences optimize students’ professional and career readiness.