UC Mercd Magazine-Volume XVI, Issue 2

Stanislaus State College President Ellen Junn and Josh Fryday, California’s chief service officer, talk to Chancellor Munoz about California College for All employment opportunities.

BUILDING Student SUCCESS Everyone’s on a leadership journey,” said Brian O’Bruba. “We help them find their voice.”

And sometimes OLSC works hand-in-glove with faculty, O’Bruba pointed out. “We support a lot of faculty research that requires a career or leadership component for students, undergraduate and graduate.” OLSC is also the campus conduit for the campus’ signature Yosemite Leadership Program, and for College Corps, the California initiative that helps students pay for higher education through community service work. A hundred UC Merced students are signed up for the 2022-2023 academic year. Nuts-and-bolts activities include resume critiques, mock interviews, and work on overcoming imposter syndrome and finding professional mentors, he said. “We are training \RX KRZ WR EH FRPSHWLWLYH ǺbKRZ WR DSSO\ IRU SRVLWLRQV and then feel comfortable in those experiences.” Employers are willing to join in the process as well, he said. “Companies that I’ve been working with are not just recruiting,” said O’Bruba, “but also asking how they can be involved in professional growth and development,” through such interactions as workshops and internships.

O’Bruba, executive director of UC Merced’s Office of Leadership, Service and Career, said the office is focused on career readiness, leadership development and community service experiences. This can include workshops, conferences, seminars and other formal projects to promote self-exploration and boost confidence and resilience; along with comprehensive programs such as service trips, internships and the like. O’Bruba uses terms like “interdisciplinary” and “transformational” when discussing what employers are seeking. “Project management skills, leadership skills, communication skills,” he rattled off — “skill-oriented, to complement the world-class education they’re getting at UC Merced.” OLSC “was instrumental in helping me obtain a finance internship in New York City this summer,” said Eshaan Kajani (’23), a student in political science and management and business economics. “Their resume and interview guidance helped me throughout my journey in undergrad and will continue to help after college.”

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