CSUSB Alumni Serves as Career Center Associate Director
Dr. Ann Lara is the Associate Director of the Career Center at the San Bernardino and Palm Desert campuses. She began her role in August 2022 and brings more than 15 years of experience in university career services.
Dr. Lara is a CSUSB alumni, having earned two bachelor’s degree, in Social Work and Human Services, and a master’s degree in Education — Career and Vocational Education with a concentration in Counseling. This semester, Dr. Lara earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership and Administration at Cal Poly Pomona.
She has been in higher education since 2004 with roles in teacher education programs, hospitality, and general career services. Dr. Lara has more than a decade of experience in teaching career development courses to university students and advising student clubs.
In her role as Associate Director, Dr. Lara creates, manages, and promotes career development activities that enhance a student's co-curricular experience while providing them the skills needed to successfully search and obtain positions after graduation.
“I love working with students and giving them the skills needed to get life-changing opportunities,” said Dr. Lara.
The Career Center empowers students and recent alumni to achieve their personal and professional goals through exploration, programming, and experiential learning opportunities.
Students can schedule an appointment to get career preparation services, such as mock interviews and assistance with their resumes and cover letters with not just career counselors but also professionals in their desired fields. In addition, the center provides career advising, networking opportunities, graduation school prep, and job and internship exploration.
The Career Center also offers a variety of virtual resources. Students can access information about the Career Center’s events on Coyote Connection, find career opportunities on Handshake, and view recordings of workshops on the Career Center website.
“We know students aren't just looking for career help Monday through Friday, 8 to 5,” said Dr. Lara. “They need it on nights, weekends, evenings.”
She added, “For students to be able to self-serve with the virtual resources on our website is really key and important.”
Big Interview is another virtual platform that helps students get hands-on practice with mock interviews that are tailored to their specific industry, job, and experience level. Students can use the platform to learn and practice their interview skills.
“It's a great resource that's very underutilized by our students,” said Dr. Lara.
This year, the Career Center re-instituted drop-in advising. However, students can also visit the Career Center website to schedule an appointment with a career advisor. The Career Center has a liaison for the Palm Desert campus and each college at CSUSB.
In spring, the Career Center hosted four career fairs and enhanced its workshop series, providing the campus community 10 workshops that were offered virtually and in-person.
Dr. Lara also oversees the center’s Cody Career Ambassador team, consisting of eight students. The ambassadors are trained to assist with drop-in advising, provide peer review of resumes, and promote the Career Center’s resources and services to students by tabling throughout campus.
Stay connected and follow the Career Center on Instagram @CSUSBCareerCenter and @PDCCareerCenter.