Many students have seen those tiny strips of paper with phone numbers on them. They usually include information on a particular job opening on or around campus. Some students may have pulled one.

It may not seem the best way to look for a job, especially an internship, but many students find themselves settling for any job they can get. I have done it myself. As a communications major, working for a large electronics retailer is far from my ideal career. Such an experience does however allow one to decide what they are looking for in a career.

Finding a job is not easy, but state positions are readily available, including many that are internships or related to a specific major. Students can find these positions through the Sacramento State foundations web site at www.foundation.csus.edu, simply by entering your major and hitting search. Upon entering communications, I pulled up 13 available positions that were related to my major.

Most students at Sac State have had trouble finding a position related to their major. Freshman Mishaela Van Valkenburgh, majoring in forensic chemistry, said, “I would need more schooling for my major, but look forward to finding an internship.” Many students are not fortunate enough to land that “dream job,” but each job grants a student a chance to decide what they are looking for in a career. Some students can’t stand the idea of living in a cubicle for eight hours. Yet it is these experiences that help students find a job they will enjoy and begin a career with.

The Sac State career center helps with job placement, resume help and critiques according to Assistant Administrator Cynthia Aguilar. Furthermore, the resources provided are free and help place students in an internship within their major while receiving academic credit. The Career Center can be found on the second floor of Lassen hall.

Whichever path students choose to take, finding an ideal career they can enjoy will be a trial and error process. Many will find themselves changing their major, but the resources are out there.

Although selling electronics is not my career goal, perhaps writing for the State Hornet will be. Students should take each promising opportunity and utilize the resources available to them in hopes to find a career related to their major. Every experience will add to a student’s ability to discover what they enjoy, so don’t be afraid to pull that strip.

Andrew Stiffler can be reached at [email protected].