It’s never too early to start your professional development.

Student Center for Professional Development

The Student Center for Professional Development (SCPD) has been a valuable part of the College of Business  (COB) for many years.  SCPD was created in 2008 and was successfully updated in the 2010-2011 academic year to meet the changing needs of students entering the workforce in the second decade of the 21st century.

The purpose of these (mentoring) programs is geared towards helping the College of Business students be as successful as possible during college and after graduation. Studies show that students who had a mentor are more likely to be engaged, volunteer, become a mentor, hold a leadership position, and more.

*SCPD was formerly known as the Mentoring Business Program (MBP).

 

How to Join SCPD Programs

The Student Center for Professional Development (SCPD) delivers a flexible range of programs and opportunities - beyond academics - proven to give students a competitive advantage as they prepare for today's demanding workforce. SCPD has four programs available to all grade level College of Business (COB) major/minor students. All programs are free of charge.

  1. Business Professional Certificate (BPC)
    • COB students develop professional skills by attending a series of professional development workshops conducted by business leaders covering a wide variety of career related topics. Attend at least 6 workshops by graduation to receive a certificate of completion!
    • Available to all grade levels can participate!
    • Join SCPD's Events & Orgs (formerly BeachSync) to access the BPC workshop calendar.
    • Important Requirements to Note:
  2. Community Scholars (CS)
    • COB juniors and seniors group-mentor inner-city high school students using their own experiences to show students that college can be an affordable reality and is worth the effort. In participating, COB students develop leadership, teamwork, and persuasive skills.
    • Available to junior and senior level students.
    • Must complete an application and interview, if requested.
  3. Junior Mentoring Program (JMP)
    • COB juniors spend a fall or spring semester paired in a mentoring relationship with a young professional, who will share their experiences and offer guidance, advice, and support about things students need to prepare for senior year, graduation, internships, and jobs.
    • Available to junior level students.
    • Must complete an application and interview, if requested.
  4. Corporate Mentoring Program (CMP)
    • COB seniors are paired for an academic year (August to May) with a successful mid to senior level or retired professional who will share their experiences, offer guidance, advice, and support needed to prepare seniors for life post-graduation, and how to ease the transition from college to a career.
    • Available to seniors or students in their last academic year (August-May).
    • Must complete an application and interview, if requested.
SCPD-Internship Handout_Pyramid Tiers

 

SCPD Path to Success: Pyramid Tiers

  • BLACK TIER (Complete option listed below) - AWARD: Certificate Only

    • BPC: 6 Workshops (Time Commitment: 6 Hours)

  • GRAY TIER (Complete 1 of 3 options) - AWARD: Lapel Pin

    • BPC: 10 Workshops (Time Commitment: 10 Hours)

    • JMP: Includes Orientation, Mixer, Mentor Meetings (Time Commitment: 8 Hours)

    • CS: Includes Training, Mentoring Sessions at High Schools, CSULB Campus Visit (Time Commitment: 24 Hours)

      • The CS program automatically achieves both the Gray Tier and White Tier

  • WHITE TIER (Complete 1 of 3 options) - AWARD: Medallion

    • BPC: 14 Workshops (Time Commitment: 14 Hours)

    • CMP: Includes Orientation, Mixer, Awards Banquet, Mentor Meetings (Time Commitment: 16 Hours)

      • The CMP also includes a 3-day, 2 night Leadership Retreat in Big Bear

    • CS: Includes Training, Mentoring Sessions at High Schools, CSULB Campus Visit (Time Commitment: 24 Hours)

      • The CS program automatically achieves both the Gray Tier and White Tier

  • GOLD TIER (Complete 3 of 4 options) - AWARD: Cord

    • BPC: 14 Workshops (Time Commitment: 14 Hours)

    • JMP: Includes Orientation, Mixer, Mentor Meetings (Time Commitment: 8 Hours)

    • CMP: Includes Orientation, Mixer, Awards Banquet, Mentor Meetings (Time Commitment: 16 Hours)

      • The CMP also includes a 3-day, 2 night Leadership Retreat in Big Bear

    • CS: Includes Training, Mentoring Sessions at High Schools, CSULB Campus Visit (Time Commitment: 24 Hours)

      • The CS program automatically achieves both the Gray Tier and White Tier

  • BONUS AWARD (Complete all 4 programs) - AWARD: Sash

    • BPC: 14 Workshops (Time Commitment: 14 Hours)

    • JMP: Includes Orientation, Mixer, Mentor Meetings (Time Commitment: 8 Hours)

    • CMP: Includes Orientation, Mixer, Awards Banquet, Mentor Meetings (Time Commitment: 16 Hours)

      • The CMP also includes a 3-day, 2 night Leadership Retreat in Big Bear

    • CS: Includes Training, Mentoring Sessions at High Schools, CSULB Campus Visit (Time Commitment: 24 Hours)

      • The CS program automatically achieves both the Gray Tier and White Tier

The Student Center for Professional Development (SCPD) is a bridge between a student’s academic life and career. We focus on helping students develop the professional skills and personal attributes most valued by prospective employers.

SCPD offers four distinct programs: the Business Professional Certificate (BPC), Community Scholars (CS), Junior Mentoring Program (JMP), and Corporate Mentoring Program (CMP). Students who participate in any or all of these SCPD programs should keep track of their progress and notify the SCPD Office once a pyramid tier is complete.

All of our programs are free of charge to students, and participation is voluntary. Students who participate in our programs have higher graduation rates, are better prepared for the corporate world and generally make more productive and valuable employees.

The Business Professional Certificate (BPC) program is a series of workshops presented by business professionals. BPC workshops are typically held on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 5:00pm-6:00pm, and are only offered in the fall and spring semesters. The calendar is updated each semester with the same topics, so if a student has other obligations, they can complete the workshop the following semester. In order to receive a certificate of completion, students must successfully fulfill the requirements of the program, which is attending at least 6 different topic workshops by the time they graduate. The more workshops a student attends, the more a student will achieve!

SCPD-Internship Handout_Path to Success

 

SCPD Path to Success: Pyramid Tiers

  • BLACK TIER - AWARD: Certificate Only

    • BPC: 6 Workshops (Time Commitment: 6 Hours)

  • GRAY TIER - AWARD: Lapel Pin

    • BPC: 10 Workshops (Time Commitment: 10 Hours)

  • WHITE TIER - AWARD: Medallion

    • BPC: 14 Workshops (Time Commitment: 14 Hours)

The Community Scholars (CS) program involves CSULB students group mentoring inner-city high school students in the spring semester. CS has 1 required training at CSULB, up to 5 mentoring sessions at a students assigned high school, and 1 campus visit at CSULB. CS program is a great opportunity to give back, while simultaneously developing leadership, teamwork, and presentation skills.

The Junior Mentoring Program (JMP) is a one-semester program (fall or spring) where a junior level student is paired with young professionals in a mentoring relationship. Mentors help students prepare for their college careers, sharing their skills, knowledge and advice on how to balance college, work and personal life. Focus is given to resume building and professional development activities that will better prepare the students for the job market and complement their academic learning experience.

The Corporate Mentoring Program (CMP) is an academic year (August-May) program where a senior level student or students in their last academic year are paired with a mid to senior level professional in a mentoring relationship. The mentoring is personalized and focus of the partnership is determined by a mutually agreed upon contract. The goals can vary and often result in tangible achievements in addition to soft skills development in areas such as self-awareness, professionalism and self-confidence.

EPN is a unique offering through SCPD that brings industry professionals based on the topic that is being discussed and gives students an opportunity to explore career avenues. It also gives students the opportunity to work on their networking skills, interact with their peers, and established professionals.

 

Please save the date for the upcoming EPN events on:

  • Monday, 10/2/2023 from 12:30pm-1:30pm via Zoom
    • Topic: Lunch n' Learn - The Walt Disney Company
  • Monday, 10/19/2023 from 12:30pm-1:30pm via Zoom
    • Topic: Lunch n' Learn - CSULB MBA Testimonial
  • Monday, 10/23/2023 from 12:30pm-1:30pm via Zoom
    • Topic: Lunch n' Learn - Moss Adams
  • Additional EPN dates will be provided once available

SCPD has two scholarship opportunities that recognize students for outstanding achievement.

  • Director's Award: Overall Excellence
  • Professional Excellence Award: Professional Development

Winners in these categories receive an award, and are recognized on our website and social media platforms.

Students are responsible throughout the year for engaging in activities that qualify them for each respective scholarship opportunity. Award winners are selected based on an essay that discusses their achievements in a respective category.