We’ve compiled some commonly asked questions from parents and families and have responded to them along with links to relevant information and resources.
The COB Career Management Center is available for in-person and virtual appointments with business degree-seeking students at the undergraduate and graduate student level as well as degree-conferring alumni of the College of Business.
NOTE: Business Minors and Certificate-only students can receive career support through the CSU Career Center.
Students can find detailed information about our open drop-in hours and how to schedule career counseling appointments and mock interviews on our Meet With a Career Counselor page.
We encourage students to connect with us from the moment they arrive on campus as they explore career options, and regularly as they navigate decisions which will shape their career readiness and impact their overall career success. We work with students of all class levels and all stages of the career development process. From exploring concentration majors and career paths and getting involved in experiential learning opportunities to applying for internships, jobs, and graduate school, we are dedicated to supporting students holistically with an individualized approach that honors each student’s life experience. Our staff is highly qualified and our resources are created with our business students in mind. Companies want to build relationships with students early and our career-focused events build a strong hiring pipeline for both internships and jobs.
Selecting a business concentration can be a difficult decision for many students. It’s an important decision and normal for students to feel confused and/or stressed. Many business students have broad interests and skills that align with multiple concentrations. To support students in exploring their interests, values, skills, and personality style, our career counselors encourage students to reflect on their experiences and engage in immersive opportunities that allow them to gather more self-knowledge. This may include taking a wide-range of courses, getting involved in student clubs, engaging in job simulations and practice projects, applying for micro-internships, volunteering on campus or in the community, and more. Students can meet with a career counselor and receive guided support through this process from a career theory approach.
Though an internship is not a requirement for any of the business concentrations, it his highly encouraged. Students who engage in at least one internship during their undergraduate journey significantly increase their likelihood of securing a job post-graduation. Nearly 60% of our CSU College of Business undergraduates complete at least one internship before graduation. The traditional timing of an internship is during the summer between a student’s junior and senior year, however some students complete multiple internships beginning their first or second year and alongside their semester coursework. It all depends on an individual student’s circumstances and each company’s internship qualifications. There are many myths about what an “internship” experience looks like and we work with students to broaden their perspective to maximize opportunities that will build skills and confidence in a particular industry. Our Internship Guide walks students through some things to consider when they’re ready to explore the possibilities. It’s important to note that students are not “placed” into internships. The Career Management Center provides students with helpful tools, resources, and recommended strategies to secure an internship, but ultimately it’s each student’s responsibility to secure an internship if they desire.
The majority of internships available to business students are paid, however some are unpaid. This can vary by industry. The Career Management Center works hard to educate employers on the importance of offering paid internships to students and how unpaid internships are problematic from an equity perspective. Read more on the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) and their position statement addressing, Unpaid Internships And The Need For Federal Action.
Students can also receive academic credit for internships when concurrently enrolled in an internship course, however receiving academic credit is not a requirement for completing an internship. Students will work with the internship coordinator within their specific academic department on an individual basis to determine the requirements for academic credit.
The COB Career Management Center does not offer “placement” for students. Rather, our professional staff provides the guidance and tools necessary to empower students with the skills and confidence to strategically navigate a lifetime of career management decisions and pursuits. We believe that with appropriate support and resources, students are more effective at promoting themselves for opportunities when they’re at the center of the process, building their own professional network and conducting their own outreach. As a result, securing an internship, job, or a grad school offer is truly their achievement. Our BizRams are highly successful at landing opportunities. To learn more about where our BizRams go after graduation, view our First Destination Outcomes.
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Job Outlook 2024, “when asked what attributes they are looking for on the resumes of the job candidates they consider for their job openings, nearly 90% of employers responding to the survey indicated they are seeking evidence of a student’s ability to solve problems and nearly 80% are seeking candidates who have strong teamwork skills. Additionally, employers report looking for:
- A strong work ethic;
- Written and verbal communication skills;
- Analytical/quantitative skills;
- Flexibility/adaptability; and
- Technical skills.
Beyond these attributes, it is also important for students to highlight the internship experience they gained—both with an employer’s organization and within its industry—during their college career. Employers cite internship experience as the top deciding factor when they are deciding between two equally qualified candidates for a job opening.”
Modeled after the Career Readiness Competencies developed by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), the Colorado State University Career Center has created 10 Career Competencies that employers are seeking when they hire CSU Rams. These competencies address the ability to demonstrate skill and knowledge proficiently. All competencies can be developed over time through a variety of experiences including academic projects, internships, campus employment, student clubs and organizations, community service and volunteering, education abroad, etc. We partner with students to identify experiences that will build both competence and confidence in these areas.
Research indicates that parents and families play an important role in their student’s career decision-making and career readiness. To create a collaborative partnership that positively benefits the career success of your student, consider these approaches as helpful guides:
- How can I objectively guide my student in exploring their interests, values, strengths, and abilities?
- How might I allow my student the freedom to engage in new experiences and explore career paths without bias?
- In what ways can I encourage new ideas without limiting options?
- How can I inspire my student to assume responsibility for their career decisions while also being supportive?
- How can I be an active listener with openness and understanding, and periodically ask, “How might I be helpful?”
- How can I encourage my student to stay informed, get involved, and take action in creating a career plan in a way that feels supportive?