How can I join the program?

To participate in this program, you must be invited. Invitations are sent to marketing students who have earned at least a 3.0 GPA. If you feel you are a high achiever that was overlooked, please let us know as soon as possible. click here.

What happens at a networking breakfast?

As the students and managers arrive, you have an excellent opportunity to talk with one or more managers about their companies and the opportunities they came to discuss. When it is time for the meeting to start, a faculty member welcomes everyone and begins the meeting. A manager from each company will then introduce their company and the opportunities available for honors students. After the last manager has spoken, the meeting becomes highly interactive. Students and managers gather in informal groups to begin to know each other and the potential for further cooperation.

Is this meeting worth attending?

Yes! At this meeting, you will learn very valuable information about local companies and industries. You will also have the opportunity to meet interesting managers who can help your career in a wide variety of ways (e.g., hire you full-time or part-time, provide names for other contacts that fit your interest, provide invaluable mentoring advice, etc.). You often have the opportunity to meet former CSUF marketing students. They can tell you many things that will help your career now and into the future.
 

Should I come to the breakfast even if I am not graduating this semester?

Yes! Honors students often tell us that coming to a meeting as a junior was very, very helpful. Your attendance benefits you by providing you an opportunity to hear what knowledge and skills managers are looking for, enlarging your network of managers to contact when you are searching for new employment, and building your networking skills.

How can I get the most out of this meeting?

Follow these simple steps. Step #1 - Learn about the corporate members by visiting their websites, talking with parents and friends, and researching the industries they participate in. Step #2 - Set some specific goals for the meeting regarding how you want to participate (e.g., discuss opportunities at 2 or companies) and what you want to achieve (e.g., offer your resume to 1 or 2 companies). Step #3 - Come early and arrive with an open mind. Almost always you will hear of great opportunities that you would have never expected. If you arrive early and stay to the end, you will be able to investigate numerous opportunities.

How can I talk to these "managers" at the meeting that I don't know? Your ability to introduce yourself to another person at a meeting is a very important business skill. The more you practice meeting people the better you will become. Please keep in mind that these are normal people just like your parents and older friends. They have interests in common with you, and they are going out of their way to meet you. In fact, they are almost certainly getting up earlier in the morning than you will. You will find it easy to talk with them if you ask good questions and you listen attentively to their answers. Remember even "a fool appears wise if he or she listens more than he or she talks".

What are some good questions to ask the managers?

First, please remember that everyone likes to talk about (a) good news and (b) topics of interest to themselves. Here are few questions to consider: What do you enjoy about working for your company? How would you describe your company's culture? How do your employees spend their days? How are the needs of your most important customers changing? What is your company really good at doing? What is the best way to get started at your company? What do I need to do NEXT to be considered as an employee?

How should I dress for the Networking Breakfast meetings?

 It is very important that you present yourself in clothing that helps you look similar to the company's employees. If have never visited their company, you can get ideas for professional business attire by looking at business magazines (e.g., Business Week) and by looking at the pictures on their web sites. If you choose to look at web site photographs, you need to focus on employees' and NOT on customers' clothing.

What if I am already working full-time?

The corporate members of this program often announce outstanding full-time and part-time positions at the networking meetings. You may very well find a more rewarding opportunity than you currently have by attending the meetings.

Who can I talk to?

We would like to answer your questions. You find out how to reach a program coordinator by clicking here.