Fresno State’s Career Development Center (CDC) helps students think about life after graduation long before senior year, offering everything from resume help and mock interviews to free professional clothing items and job search tools designed to connect students with internships and employers. 

“Our official mission is, ‘To educate, prepare, and connect students for career and lifelong success,’” said Mary Willis, executive director of the CDC. 

The career center supports students through each stage of career development, including choosing a major, identifying career options, building a resume, practicing interview skills and networking. 

“Admittedly, the most common reason students visit the Career Development Center is for assistance in developing an effective resume,” Willis said. “However, we do so much more than that.”

The CDC also works closely with employers to bring recruiting opportunities directly to campus. Employers are invited to participate in career fairs held each semester. The center also hosts LinkedIn workshops and professional development sessions that focus on networking, career pivots and skill building. 

In addition to employer connections, the center provides targeted resources for students from a variety of backgrounds, including “Dreamers,” undocumented students, first-generation students and LGBTQ+ students. 

These materials address workplace navigation questions, such as how and when to share personal information, professional identity and pronouns, and are designed to help students feel supported as they prepare to enter the workforce. 

For some students, the most immediate draw is the Career Closet, which provides free professional clothing. Recent graduate and former Collegian Advertising Coordinator Marco Hernandez said he first visited during his first semester after hearing about the closet through a counselor. 

“I used the Fresno State Career Development Center sometime during my first semester at Fresno State, and I decided to go because I heard from my EOP (Educational Opportunity Program) counselor that they offer free professional clothing, among other services,” Hernandez said. 

Hernandez said he returned four times, and each visit was to the closet. 

“I work part-time at the city of Fresno, and I didn’t have much professional clothing,” Hernandez said. “Going to their clothing closet each semester has helped me build my professional clothing for my job and future.” 

He described the experience as straightforward and supportive, including help from a student employee, a changing space and a simple checkout process. Hernandez said he found staples like slacks, blazers, button-up shirts and ties, along with accessories such as shoes and belts. 

“These kinds of resources are very important because these are the things students should take advantage of to save money and time,” Hernandez said. 

The Career Closet operates during normal business hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Career liaison Claudia Platas-Lopez said the center tries to make career planning accessible, whether students need quick help or long-term guidance. Platas-Lopez said students can find campus and community opportunities, career events and resources in one place.

Platas-Lopez also said students can get walk-in help through the Career Cafe, a drop-in service that assists students with resumes, cover letters and navigating HireFresnoState.

“So we have the Career Cafe,” Platas-Lopez said. “You do not need an appointment for that.”

The university centralizes job and internship searches through HireFresnoState, an employment portal for students and alumni. The platform offers listings for on and off-campus jobs, internships and professional positions.

Advisors also encourage students to recognize experiences outside traditional jobs as valuable preparation. Involvement in clubs, associations and campus organizations can help students build transferable skills and industry knowledge, which can then be highlighted in resumes and personal statements.

Students who need interview practice can use a virtual interview platform called StandOut, that simulates real job interviews. The system records responses, provides feedback on delivery and helps students practice the STAR method, which focuses on clearly explaining situations, tasks, actions and results during interviews.

“Practicing the STAR method is our biggest emphasis when you’re doing an interview,” Platas-Lopez said. 

Platas-Lopez said preparation can ease anxiety for students who struggle to answer questions on the spot. 

“Being able to identify your story before you go into an interview is an advantage for you,” she said. 

Several events are planned for this semester, including a volunteer fair hosted by the Jan and Bud Richter Center in late January. 

Advisors say volunteer work can help students build transferable skills, gain experience and expand their professional networks even with limited time commitments. 

Additional events include “Harvesting the Leaders,” an agriculture-focused career fair held in early February that is open to all students. A career prep carnival and a “Networking for Introverts” event are also scheduled, giving students low-pressure opportunities to practice elevator pitches and professional conversations. 

Students can schedule appointments and find upcoming events through the CDC website and the campus careers page. The center is located in the University Student Union, Room 306, and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Career Cafe walk-in hours are held daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Willis said the goal is to normalize the idea that career planning is part of college, not something students scramble to do right before graduation. 

“We want to work with you to achieve your career goals as soon as you become a Fresno State student,” Willis said.