Feature Story: Passport Services at the Career Development Center

Many California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) students may not be familiar with the campus Career Development Centers U.S. Passport Application Acceptance Office that has been in service since September 25, 2008.

            The U.S. Passport Application Acceptance Office provides CSULB students and community members with the first time passport application and renewal process. Students and community members can stop by BH-250 Monday through Thursday from noon to 4:30 p.m. and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to meet with application agents.

Application agents will provide applicants with a U.S. Passport Form #DS-11 and require for applicants to provide proof of citizenship and an application fee. The entire fee is a total of $150 which includes the application process and passport photo. Applicants will receive the passport in 4-6 weeks of submission of application to the U.S. Department of State.

            The renewal process is also available at the U.S. Passport Application Acceptance Office for a price of $140. Applicants must fill out a DS-82 form and mail it to Passport Services in order to renew. 

            “This office was set up by student services on campus that pushed for these on campus services. We are the only California State University that has such a service. I think that more students should take advantage of this office because the economy has turned global and students need to be able to explore the world to succeed,” DeAnna Granada said, an application agent.

            Since 2008 the Career Development Centers U.S. Passport Application Acceptance Office has helped  over 1,200 student sand community members in receiving their passports. For more information on the Career Development Centers U.S. Passport Application Acceptance Office, visit http://passport.csulb.edu/index.htm.

California State University, Long Beach Students Learn Interviewing Techniques

            On Nov. 16, 2011 the California State University, Long Beach Career Development Center held an interview technique workshop at the center (BH-250) for over 50 students.

            The workshop was organized and presented by Angi Carrillo-Humphreys, counselor for the Career Development Center who focused on interview preparation and process.

            Carrillo-Humphreys informed students on how to prepare for the interview through practicing how to smile and how to shake hands with employers. Students practiced with each other on how to effectively greet in a professional manner.

            “These students need to get to know themselves and feel confident about going on an interview. It’s all about believing in yourself and knowing yourself,” Carrillo-Humphreys said.

            The interview process was focused on how to effectively communicate with employers during the actual interview. Carrillo-Humphreys gave students sample interview questions and advice on how to answer those questions in an effective way. This led students into a group discussion where they talked about how they would answer each question. Carrillo-Humphreys gave students feedback and advice on how to answer questions and how to market themselves to employers through their responses.

            The meeting concluded with students asking Carrillo-Humphreys individual questions and sharing information with others about job searching. “You know I didn’t think I was going to learn much more about interviewing. It’s funny because the workshop taught me even more about interviewing and now I can use all these tips for any job I apply for,” Leslie Vu said, a California State University, Long Beach gerontology student.

Kohl’s Internship Information Session

            The California State University, Long Beach Career Development Center (CDC) will be hosting a Kohl’s Intern to Employee information session on Nov. 11 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the center (BH-250).

            Students will be able to meet and greet with Kohl’s employers during the information session. The session is designed to allow for students to interact with employers  and ask any questions they have about internship opportunities.

“This is a good opportunity for students to meet with employers and learn more about internships. It’s a really good way to meet people for internships,” Debbie An said, Career Development Center assistant

            Kohl’s employers will also educate students on how to be an intern turned employee at their company. Students will be given examples on how Kohl's internships help build a person’s professional skills for the future.

“I actually need an internship right now! I just graduated and I don’t have a job right now. I don’t even have much experience in anything right now. I have a degree and I haven’t used it yet,” Martha Gomez said, a California State University, Long Beach alumni.