Titans of the Workplace | Titan Magazine

Titans of the Workplace: How Recent Grads Are Building Careers, and Why They Are Sought After

Story by Cathi Douglas '80

Scott Behen ’04, ’07 (B.A., M.A. history) researched the military industrial complex during his under- and post-graduate studies, and along the way came across reports from the Government Accountability Office (GAO). He was impressed with the agency’s unbiased, objective writings. So when it came time for him to do an internship, he jumped at the opportunity to work in the GAO’s downtown Los Angeles office.

He interned with students from USC, UCLA and Georgetown, among other prestigious schools, and found that his writing and presentation skills – honed under his mentor, Professor Gordon Bakken – were treasured qualities.

Behen had always thought that he’d pursue a Ph.D. with the goal of becoming a college professor. But he knew that tenured positions were few, and so he was happy when the GAO hired him full time.

“It was an intense internship, but I found myself well-prepared for what we do,” he said. “Many people don’t realize that the ability to write well and defend what you write has value in the real world.”

Chantal Shillingford ’07 (B.A. business administration-marketing) is human resources operations manager for Kohl’s in Chino. “I never saw myself in retail,” Shillingford said. “I spent six years at the store, though I didn’t think I’d end up being a manager.” Still, with competitive compensation, lots of growth potential, and Kohl’s dynamic expansion program, Shillingford was willing to give it a try.

“I fell in love with recruiting, training and the other things involved in my position,” she recalled. As a result, she spends considerable time recruiting other Titans to retail jobs.

“I find that Cal State Fullerton students and graduates have a great sense of customer service, and they’re able to learn to deal with different personalities. “They’re energetic, hopeful, excited to come into the real world and use their skills,” she said. “They’re eager to get on the fast track.”

Renee Contreras ’04 (B.A. communications-public relations) completed three internships as an undergraduate and served as president of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) during her senior year. Contreras credits networking and experience in leading to her job as special events director at the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Ana.

“Every single course prepared me for what I’m doing now,” she recalled of her time at Cal State Fullerton. “I’m working with donors and sponsors, so I must manage my time, keep organized, know how to work with the media. PRSSA was excellent in addition to my coursework, because I learned to manage a board and committee members, stick to a timeline, juggle costs and work with vendors.”

Her advice to new graduates or undergraduates seeking work? “Really get to know your professors. They can only give you so much time in class, but if you get to know them, employ networking, they are there when you need some help.”

Jeremiah Krauss ’05 (B.A. communications-entertainment studies) interned with a Paramount Studios casting director as an undergrad, and following graduation was working as an AV technician at the Ritz Carlton. He heard that the Orange County Performing Arts Center (OPAC) was opening up a new building, and immediately recognized it as an opportunity to use his degree and break further into the entertainment business.

“I knew when they opened up they’d need a new crew, so I applied and became part of the casual labor crew in hopes of getting a better, permanent job,” he said, noting that he gave up a guaranteed salary and position to take the leap. Today he is an OPAC production coordinator.

He noted that Cal State Fullerton prepared him with a good foundation in the type of things to expect in the workplace. “We learned to have a realistic take on things.”

When it came time to be considered for his present job, Krauss said, “My boss had a stack of resumes for the job I wanted, and some of those folks had master’s degrees and years of experience. But he told me, ‘I don’t think there’s anything they could have brought to the table that you don’t have.’”

Ivonne Lanzas ’05 (B.A. international business) works for Novartis as a pharmaceutical sales representative, and is enrolled in the global company’s management development program with the goal of working internationally. “A business with the medical side was a perfect fit, since I’d originally been a biology major and was very interested in science.”

As an undergraduate, Lanzas was active in the Latino Business Student Association, working on international relations, job fairs and networking events. She credits that networking experience as a solid foundation upon which to build a career.

During her years at Cal State Fullerton, she said, “I was able to learn more about global marketing and direct business-to-business sales. A lot of the books I read dealt with how to do business with specific cultures.” Those lessons have stayed with her as she strives toward working with the company’s international offices.

Robyn Harney ’06 (B.A. communications-public relations), talent relations and publicity coordinator for Sony Pictures Television, worked in events publicity at both the Oscars and the Emmys prior to joining Sony. Harney credits networking – including the many firsthand recommendations she received – for her success in the job market. “I now work with the same people that were the former clients I helped during last year’s Emmys,” Harney explained.

She credits three classes with preparing her, particularly with common sense, organization and discretion: Public Relations Writing, Entertainment Public Relations and Public Relations Management. “While many of these skills cannot be taught, CSUF did a wonderful job of helping me develop them,” Harney said.

Now in a position to work with Titan interns, Harney said that what sets CSUF students apart is their ability to adapt to changes in their work due to a variety of assignments, as well as their capacity to learn quickly while under pressure. “The entertainment publicity world is very flexible and constantly changing,” she observed. “It takes someone with common sense and a good work ethic to be able to adapt to this environment.”