On October 7, the Monterey Bay area witnessed a significant gathering of students and agriculture professionals at the 2024 Greater Vision Event, titled "Ag Jobs: Bringing a Greater Vision." Hosted at California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB), the event drew approximately 335 attendees, both in person and online, eager to explore the future of sustainable agriculture. Among those attending, 65 joined virtually from various locations, including Hartnell College and the Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology. Students also attended from Rancho Cielo, Farms Leadership, Digital Nest, and UCSC.
The free event, held at the Otter Student Union, featured a series of discussions centered around the theme "Smarter Agriculture: Feeding More—Impacting Less." Designed to inform and inspire, the program featured discussions with industry experts on innovation, job opportunities, and the skills needed for careers in agriculture.
Attendees enjoyed a complimentary lunch, sponsored by Western Growers, fostering networking among participants. A job fair followed the forum, providing students with opportunities to connect with industry professionals about internships and career opportunities.
This year’s Ag Jobs: Bringing A Greater Vision event successfully illustrated the importance of innovation, collaboration, and sustainability in agriculture, inspiring the next generation of leaders in the industry.
Ag Jobs: Bringing A Greater Vision is an annual event produced in partnership between Cal State Monterey Bay's College of Business and College of Science, the Grower-Shipper Foundation, and Western Growers. The Ag Jobs Career and Internship Fair is coordinated by CSUMB's Career Development Department. KAZU 93 is the official media sponsor.
Cal State Monterey Bay (CSUMB) hosted its annual Accounting Networking Event (ANE), welcoming representatives from 28 organizations. Ranging from top accounting firms and agricultural and industrial companies to the University of California, Davis Master of Professional Accountancy Program, and the United Way’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, these organizations came to share exciting career opportunities with CSUMB students.
Recruiters brought a creative touch to the event, making their interactions both fun and memorable. One firm provided Legos for students to build avatars, while others used fresh berries to explain finance within the agriculture industry. These unique approaches helped students see real-world applications of accounting concepts in various fields.
Preparation for this event began early in the semester. Laura Armbruster, CPA from McGilloway, Ray, Brown & Kaufman, and Manny Hernandez, Senior Tax Associate at Moss Adams, along with four College of Business faculty, held a workshop to practice 30-second elevator pitches with students. Dr. Sharon Hua, Associate Professor of Accounting, led resume-writing workshops and coached students on presenting themselves professionally at networking events. To further support students, the Student Center provided free business attire, and College of Business Interim Dean Dr. Marylou Shockley sponsored professional headshots for 25 students. This year, an online "Resume Book" was also introduced, enabling recruiters to access and download resumes ahead of the event.
The event gave students invaluable insights into the accounting profession, allowing them to engage with friendly industry professionals who offered advice on career paths and shared the latest industry trends.
The ANE is for students at all levels, including seniors who are looking for post-graduation employment, graduate degree options, or CPA review course information; juniors who might be interested in internships or part-time work; and freshman/sophomore/community college students who want to learn more about careers in accounting, financial management, and financial planning.
Learn more: csumb.edu/business/ane
The Institute for Innovation and Economic Development (iiED) and Associated Students hosted the second annual Winter Night Market on Dec. 5 and were thrilled by its tremendous success. The event at the Otter Student Union Ballroom and Inter-Garrison Plaza attracted over 700 attendees and featured 36 Tri-county vendors and CSUMB small businesses presenting an assortment of unique products and services. Live performances from the CSUMB Music Department and local musician Glenn Bell, as well as crafting activities organized by AS, enriched the event. Heartfelt thanks to the performers, sponsors and partners: Monterey County Business and the Central Coast Small Business Development Center, for their support through the Building Business Back initiative, and the Entrepreneurship Club.
Career Access programs help you develop professional skills, find an internship, and explore exciting career opportunities. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the helpful resources offered by the programs listed below.
Diamond Key is a professional career access program designed to help you develop the skills needed to excel in your career. Through interactive workshops, this program complements the College of Business curriculum while building essential career skills.
The Internship Excellence Program is part of the College of Business Accelerated Career Exploration and Student Success (ACCESS) umbrella. Engage in Real-Life Workforce, Professional Growth, Networking Skills, and Increased Career Offers & Initial Career Satisfaction.
Career Gateway provides a service to both employers and College of Business students. We help employers find qualified, enthusiastic alumni and graduating students. In addition, we help College of Business students and alumni learn about career paths and find career opportunities that complement their interests and abilities.
In the ocean, otters hang onto each other in a raft-type structure to stay together and keep safe. To connect COB Otters, we created a virtual space to study and/or hang out with friends and a few COB faculty members, too. We’ll used breakout rooms to let some students study quietly. While studying, students we able to use the chat function to ask questions or pop out to the main room to ask a question of a faculty member. Other breakout rooms allowed students to take a break from studying and relax with a game or casual chit-chat.
Learn more: csumb.edu/business/events