A little guidance can go a long way in helping College of Southern Maryland (CSM) students feel prepared to step into the workforce. The college’s Center for Career Development and Success (CCDS) connects students with mentors who share insight into pathways to the professional world, through its Career Readiness Mentorship Program.
Lorelei Cerulean, a cybersecurity student, said the program helped her build professional skills, prepare for interviews, and understand what employers are looking for. “It helped me fill in some of the gaps with the skills people actually use in the real world,” Cerulean said. “I had a lot of the technical skills, but networking and job hunting, those are skills in themselves, and that knowledge and experience is something you don’t really get into in the classroom.”
Credit: College of Southern Maryland
Through the program, CCDS connects students with mentors, local professionals and community partners who offer guidance as students develop professional skills and explore career goals. Career Development Specialist Dr. Yvette Motley said mentors give students an important perspective on where their future can lead. “Professional mentors play an important role in a student’s support system as they navigate new opportunities and goals in the professional world,” Motley said. “We want students to leave CSM with more than just a degree or certificate. We want them to have professional relationships and connections that prepare them for the next step and give them the confidence to set their sights high.”
The mentorship program is one piece of a broader CCDS effort. Students typically begin with a competency-based quiz assessing their career-readiness skills, then receive one-on-one support that can include mock interviews, resume building, and help developing a professional “elevator pitch.” Through the related Work-Based Learning program, the center helped connect 29 students with internships this year, according to a separate CCDS feature published this month.
Students who complete CCDS programs may earn a Career Readiness Badge, a credential showing they’ve met competency standards set by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) in areas including critical thinking, communication and leadership. CSM isn’t alone in this approach — NACE’s career-readiness framework also underlies credentialing programs at other Maryland institutions, including Montgomery College’s digital badging initiative and St. Mary’s College of Maryland’s career-focused LEAD curriculum, reflecting a broader statewide push to make career-readiness skills explicit and portable for students.
Kevin Cherry, a computer science student, said the mentorship program gave him the chance to ask questions and get advice about schools, degrees and professional opportunities. “The mentorship program prepared me for the next steps,” Cherry said. “It’s a great program to get your foot in the door, meet face to face, and gain valuable insights.” He said one of the most valuable lessons he learned was that everyone starts somewhere, and students shouldn’t be afraid to aim high.
The benefits extend to mentors as well. Christian Sorochty, vice president of human resources at Calvert Health, mentored students focused on bridging the gap between classroom learning and the workplace. “Seeing someone become more comfortable asking questions, exploring career options, and developing a clearer vision for their future made the experience incredibly meaningful,” Sorochty said. “It was encouraging to see them become more comfortable networking, seeking feedback, and thinking strategically about the skills and experiences that will support their long-term success.”
Students interested in the Work-Based Learning program or internship opportunities can reach out to CCDS directly or apply through HawkJobs.
