The headlines about layoffs, AI, and economic uncertainty aren’t lost on our students. But SJSU’s Career Center has been getting attention for exactly the right reasons—helping students cut through the noise and demonstrate their Spartan edge. Career Center Associate Director Anita Manuel was recently featured on KQED Forum (NPR), and STEM Career Counselor Kelly Masegian appeared on KPIX news, both speaking to how students can navigate today’s shifting labor market. The through-line in both interviews: transferable skills—communication, adaptability, critical thinking, and the ability to learn continuously—remains what employers value most, even as AI reshapes how work gets done.
What We’re Doing for Students
To help students build skills rapidly alongside their academic programs, the Career Center has partnered with campus and employer partners to launch hands-on learning opportunities that go beyond the classroom. Through our own Elevate Career Hub, tools such as LinkedIn Learning, and programs such as IBM SkillsBuild, students gain access to industry-recognized certificates and emerging technology tools. We’ve also expanded access to hackathons and hands-on learning labs open to students across all majors and disciplines.
Handshake, our job and internship platform, is active year-round with real opportunities across industries. And our Spartan alumni network runs deep throughout Silicon Valley. Proud Spartan alumni regularly recruit directly at our internship and job fairs, share their journeys as panelists at our career exploration events, and mentor students one-on-one, creating real connections between where our students are today and where they want to go. Recently, our annual College to Career Jumpstart virtual event connected current students, recent graduates, employers, and inspirational industry experts in lively conversations and feedback sessions.
How You Can Support Career Readiness
Career conversations happen all across campus—and you don’t need to be a career counselor to make an impact. Through the SJSU Career Champions Program, faculty and staff have access to resources that make it easy to connect students to career support right from your classroom or office. A simple mention of the Career Center, a reminder about Handshake, or pointing a student to an upcoming event can make all the difference.
The SJSU Career Center would love to partner with you—reach out to learn more about the Career Champions Program or to refer students our way. We’re here year-round and always happy to connect. Send us your Career Education questions: Anita.Manuel@sjsu.edu, Associate Director of Career Education
