Student Engagement & Learning through USU Employment
Driven by a commitment to student employee engagement and learning, the University Student Union (USU) invites students to demonstrate how they are making deeper connections with California State University, Northridge and the USU through the work experience.
Throughout their employment, students navigate tasks and projects that coordinate with 10 areas recognized by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) as preparing students for employability in the 21 Century. By demonstrating competence in these areas, Matadors will gain an edge in articulating to employers their readiness for work.
Candidate Skills Rated in Importance to Success in an Employer's Organization
Ability to work in a team structure
Ability to verbally communicate with persons inside and outside the organization
Ability to make decisions and solve problems
Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work
Ability to obtain and process information
Ability to analyze quantitative data
Technical knowledge related to the job
Proficiency with computer software programs
Ability to create and/or edit written reports
Ability to sell or influence others
NACE Job Outlook reports, 2011–2015.
Peck, A. (2017). Employer-Preferred Skills and Attributes. Engagement & Employability (p. 7). Washington, DC.: National Association of Student Personnel Administrators
Each academic year, USU student assistant employees voluntarily participate in two surveys that ask students to reflect about how their USU work experience has impacted their growth.
The Exit Survey asks exiting students about how their USU employment experience impacted categories that support student success such as campus engagement, sense of belonging, purpose, perseverance, professional development and practice.
Impact of the USU Student Employment Program
The NASPA Survey captures student perspectives on the USU employment program's impact on their professional development and preparation in several categories:
1. Finding solutions to problems (#3)
2. Ability to analyze a problem (#3)
3. Ability to establish work-based relationships (#1)
4. Analyzing numerical data (#6)
5. Leading a group (#1, #2, #3)
6. Making deeper connections to CSUN
*numbers (#) correlate with Peck/NACE employability factors
View highlights of results from these two assessments during the 2021-2022 academic year.
Involvement
"Being involved with an on-campus organization like the USU helped me feel more connected with CSUN as a whole. It opened my eyes to the everyday life of my fellow college students, and it made me want to strive harder to succeed."
Experience
"I learned a lot on a professional level from my USU work experience. In short, this job experience helped me standout from my graduating peers."
Skills
"My USU work experience deepened my learning opportunities because I learned what I am capable of. I became more confident and I gained many transferrable skills that I know I will take to my next workplace."
