Carlos’ translated articles will appear in the “” section of The Montclarion website. The first translated article is our story on the cultural impact of Bad Bunny’s Super Halftime show. We are also planning to publish original stories written in Spanish that will then be translated into English.

Thanks to , Chair of the Department of Spanish and Latin Studies; , Internship Coordinator at CHSS; and , Director of Career Services at CCOM for their work on creating this new internship.

Learn more:Ěý

“Usually, I wake up around 6:30, grab a quick breakfast and head out. I get here about 20 minutes early,” says Lopez, a commuter from Newark. On this workday, Lopez juggles front desk responsibilities with helping to run an interactive “Major Mystery” event – “it’s like a murder mystery, but instead you’re solving which major fits best for you.”

His role, says Lopez, a senior majoring in Communication and Media Studies, is “a great opportunity to make money and have a job while also balancing schoolwork.”

˛Ń´Ç˛ÔłŮł¦±ô˛ąľ±°ů’s Commitment and Career Value

Each year, about 2,000 students work in roles across campus – from IT and financial aid to student services and academic offices – gaining the kind of experience employers want. With a dedicated employment task force and cross-campus support, Montclair is redefining how campus jobs connect to growth.

We want students to see campus jobs as real work experience that provides real skills. Our goal is for all students to graduate with at least one experience they can use to launch their career.” – Assistant Vice Provost Chantelle Wright

That vision is taking shape through , which ensures student employees receive professional development and workplace training. All student workers complete new online coursework – the only program of its kind in New Jersey higher education.

To see the WORK initiative in action, we followed Montclair students who are gaining experience that goes far beyond a paycheck.

Building Campus Community

Gwen Dang is the Community Resilience Intern with the University Police Department, coordinating campus events, outreach and program support across the Montclair and Bloomfield campuses. She assists with advocacy, prevention, resource management and research, and evaluates projects. A senior majoring in Justice Studies with double minors in and Child Advocacy, Dang also works as a Special Events student worker, helping set up and manage campus events, including recent Commuter Life programming.

Leading Through Service

Samantha Almonte, a senior Public Health major, builds community connections and organizes service initiatives as a Community Partnerships intern for the Bonner Leader Program. She takes charge of Alternative Spring Break planning and leads large campus events. The position, “has empowered me to sharpen my event planning abilities,” she says.

Mateo Llano, a sophomore majoring in Public Health with a concentration in Health Education, Promotion and Advocacy, brings together students for campus-wide drives and cultural events as an Engagement Intern in the Bonner Leader Program, His work extends to toy, Thanksgiving and winter clothing collections and he credits the internship with teaching him teamwork, leadership and engaging with nonprofits. “The most important skill I have learned is communication, especially in team settings.”

Forging Career Paths

Ieema Dinnall, a junior in Business Administration, promotes career events and helps students connect with employers as part of her job as a student assistant in the Office for Experiential Education and Career Connections. She plays an important role in raising the post-graduation survey responses through outreach and commitment to connecting with students. She is also working to identify top hiring employers in the tristate area. “These skills that I’m learning will help me in the long run,” Dinnall says, including networking and collecting data. “Approving employers has helped me practice evaluating credibility and risk.”

Research and Outcomes

Research confirms that college jobs matter. Sociology Assistant Professor Daniel Douglas, who has studied how students balance work and school, emphasizes that working while in college significantly shapes students’ post-graduation opportunities.

“Balancing a job with college can boost your future earnings, especially if you finish your degree,” he explains.

As co-author of a Rutgers Education and Employment Research Center paper on the, Douglas identifies several reasons for this trend. One key reason is that students who work during college gain valuable skills highly regarded by future employers. “Working while enrolled demonstrates both the credential of a degree and the employment history that employers value.”

National RecognitionĚý

˛Ń´Ç˛ÔłŮł¦±ô˛ąľ±°ů’s performance in the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2026 Best U.S. Colleges rankings can be traced to the financial success of recent graduates. Rather than just traditional metrics, these rankings emphasize how well colleges boost their graduates’ salaries compared to similar schools. A typical Montclair graduate can expect an average of $34,013 added to their annual salary. Compared against the institution’s average net price, this means most graduates recoup their investment in just one year and seven months.

Leveling Up with the WORK Course

˛Ń´Ç˛ÔłŮł¦±ô˛ąľ±°ů’s . Once students are officially onboarded as campus employees, they’re automatically enrolled in the course. It’s divided into two parts – the first modules are for new employees, while the later modules focus on professional skills, including leveraging work experience, building supervisor relationships and managing difficult conversations.

“Compared to other universities, I believe we stand out because many institutions are still working on how student employment fits into student success,” Wright says. “Montclair has built a community around it. To my knowledge, no other New Jersey university has a dedicated online course open to all students regardless of whether they have a job yet.”

Story by Marilyn Joyce Lehren

The career opportunities for students learning world languages range immensely, even for those with only a few years of exposure. Students who have taken one of the 14 languages at Montclair alongside other studies are using their skills in fields from the arts to the sciences, from business to the humanities and health or social science fields. With the recent launch of the public Montclair CHILL – Career Hub for International Language Learning, students can explore career applications for their languages at any point in their college experience.

The launch on December 11 brought together faculty, advisors, administrators, career counselors, study abroad officers, Modern Language Association representatives, and students, all of whom explored this new online resource, received career advising on how to foreground their languages, and entered raffles to win internationally themed prizes. A particular highlight of the hub is the collection of Languages on the Job videos made by recent graduates who use their languages in fields ranging from IT to manga editing, HR and beyond.

Students can also experiment with finding a fit for their own personal interests with the . Here, they can learn about a variety of jobs that require or encourage language knowledge or proficiency, including positions as international admissions counselor, change management team member, court interpreter, online content editor for gaming sites, and dozens more across fields.

Montclair offers an innovative Language, Business & Culture interdisciplinary major with a capstone international experience. In addition, many students also choose to pursue a language as part of a double major or minor, or add on a faculty-led, summer, or semester-long study abroad experience in addition to their world language requirement to demonstrate their international flair.

Having explored another language shows employers in any field that you are ready to speak to partners on their terms and ready to manage new cultural situations.

At the launch, faculty members and College of Humanities and Social Sciences Career Services representatives reminded students of the importance of highlighting multilingual experiences on their resumés, and of connecting with alumni. They emphasized that language exploration reflects professional readiness, demonstrating cognitive flexibility, resourcefulness, and the ability to build bridges with collaborators here and abroad.

A faculty member told students, “New Jersey is so diverse. On the one hand, we have many immigrant groups here who need health, justice, and education professionals comfortable working in their languages. And at the same time, we are home to so many large and expanding international businesses where our students with language skills can make special connections with managers and international clients.” Students applying for positions in these fields attract supervisors’ attention when they bring language skills to the table.

The CHILL website shares the stories of recent graduates using their language skills to facilitate internal communications at Audi, to recruit international students at colleges, to work abroad in their expert fields, and more. Professor Elizabeth Emery, who served as Principal Investigator on the Modern Language Association Pathways Grant that helped fund this grant, notes that this launch is only the beginning: “So many doors open for graduates with language knowledge–even just a few semesters of a language–and so many Montclair students have amazing language skills, that we hope that these tools will help students and advisors showcase their talents. Visualizing the paths taken by recent graduates also helps make it much less scary to plan for the job search!”

Students can meet to discuss how to use their languages with career advisors at the College for the Humanities and Social Sciences any time. The CHILL website is publicly accessible and will continue to serve as a career resource for students with language skills across all majors.

Curious what 14 languages Montclair teaches? Click here to find out!

Donna brings with her a wealth of experience in career advisement, employer relations, internship development, campus recruiting, and programming. Donna’s role includes developing comprehensive career strategies and building relationships with students, alumni, faculty, employers and community partners to enhance experiential and professional opportunities for CHSS students. Donna’s philosophy is that career development is not transactional but rather a lifelong process.

We are thrilled to have Donna join our team in CHSSĚý — you can find her in the Student Success Center in Dickson Hall or you can send her an email!

What do you enjoy most about your job?
It’s always the students!Ěý I love when I can connect a student to an employer or alumni that has an impact on their career journey – whether it’s a job offer or embarking on a new career path.Ěý I feel like I made a difference and that is the most rewarding part of my job.

What goals do you have for Career Development in CHSS?
A key goal is to create a culture of early and often career exploration and experiential learning among students and faculty.Ěý It is never too early for a student to gain experience.Ěý Career development is a process, not a transaction.Ěý The earlier students begin exploring, the more time they have to test out careers, connect with professionals and build confidence in their career decision-making.

What career development advice would you give to a first-year student or soon to be graduate looking to pursue a career in the humanities and/or social sciences fields?
Don’t limit yourself.Ěý Your job title and/or function is not equivalent to your major.Ěý Study what you enjoy. Learn transferable skills for the world of work.Ěý Then develop and apply them through experiential learning such as research and internships.

What is your favorite thing about Montclair State?
Working with wonderful people! The CHSS Student Success team is the best!Ěý They make work fun!Ěý I also enjoy collaborating with all the career teams within the other college.

Mia Fayez has secured an internship in the Borough of Prospect Park at Mayor Mohamed T. Khairullah’s administrative headquarters. A Political Science major, Fayez specifically enjoys focusing her studies around the history and geopolitical climate of the Middle East and Africa.

Fayez initially worked as a volunteer for Mayor Khairullah and his staff and then shifted to the Volunteer Coordinator for his congressional campaign.

“Mayor Khairullah is a figure I have long admired for his political contributions as a Muslim and Arab American politician,” Fayez says. “As an Arab American, I feel compelled to support upcoming leaders in advancing the interests and objectives of our community.”

Mia Fayez Interviewing Mayor Mohamed T. Khairullah

Fayez’s post-graduation plans include humanitarian work and legal education. She finds that working with Mayor Khairullah specifically has been incredibly instrumental in preparing her for these ambitions as the Mayor has been “directly involved in numerous international humanitarian initiatives and can offer valuable guidance and counsel.”

“He leads a highly diverse and efficient team…The Mayor commands great respect in the Arab community and is known for challenging stereotypes and overcoming obstacles as a local leader. For me, it was an opportunity to align myself with someone of great esteem and to be part of his steadfast staff,” Fayez declares.

On the benefits of working with the Mayor, Fayez is grateful that she is being exposed to the “political arena” by engaging with legal professionals, political administrators, and public servants. Furthermore, she is developing crucial skills to a political and legal career by working beyond the “traditional classroom learning or more renowned internships.”

“My responsibilities include supporting the Borough Administrator…I engage in policy research, political writing, coordination of community events, maintenance of filing systems, and proficient communication with dignitaries, colleagues, and residents.”

Most of all, Fayez has proven herself to the Mayor’s office with her extensive work and experience. She is proud to be “fully integrated into the team and entrusted with significant responsibilities.”

Read more student intern experiences!

Written by Sarah Ramirez

Khizra Qadir is currently interning as a paralegal for the Legal Aid Society where she provides research assistance for comprehensive criminal appellate practice and assists in investigations for post-conviction collateral reviews. She is an aspiring criminal lawyer and plans to attend law school post-graduation.

For Qadir, the separate environments of the University and the Legal Aid Society both prepare her in unique ways for her legal future.

“As a Justice Studies student, I have taken several courses, such as criminal law and procedure and legal research, that have provided me with a strong foundation to work as a paralegal,” she says.

But the reality of what it means to work in a law firm is something that can only be gained by doing so. After being put in contact with Professor Harold Ferguson, Qadir’s internship supervisor, Qadir has been able to gain “an understanding of the kind of assignments and tasks paralegals do on a day-to-day basis.”

“I have also been able to gauge my knowledge of criminal law and legal research and am looking forward to learning more about the law and strengthening my skills,” Qadir says.

More than anything, Qadir’s passion for legal defense has been put to the frontlines: “This internship gives me the opportunity to implement the knowledge and skills I have developed to ensure the rights of the vulnerable are protected.”

Read more student intern experiences!

Written by Sarah Ramirez

Diya Vaid, a junior majoring in Psychology with a minor in American Sign Language, is working at the Care Counseling Center in Somerville, N.J. as a counseling and shadowing intern. The Care Counseling Center is a psychotherapist’s office that offers a variety of services including, but not limited to, psychiatric evaluations and medication management, immigration and social services, parenting education classes, and youth group services.

Vaid discovered the opportunity through the Career Development office in CHSS. Her position at the center aligns well with her post-graduate plans to work as a licensed mental health counselor.

“I am gaining hands-on experience on understanding the responsibilities of being a counselor…the different psychotherapy techniques, and this internship is also teaching me how to handle a business,” says Vaid.

Vaid assists counselors in developing treatment plans and shadows clients during sessions in addition to managing office administrative tasks. She values this work and her developing experience in the field along with the “opportunity to work in a diverse environment.”

This environment offers her skills and training that is hard to obtain solely in a classroom setting. Amongst time management, critical thinking, communication, and more, Vaid’s biggest takeaway from the experience thus far is the reassurance that she is on the right track for a career in counseling.

“I am finally taking the step towards my future career,” she says.

Read more student intern experiences!

Written by Sarah Ramirez

Luis Angomas, a major, has been interning at the Passaic Police Department Records Bureau as an office assistant. Angomas, who aspires to become a police officer post graduation, has “a strong passion for law enforcement” and asked for a position himself by calling the department.

“I was very excited about the position because I would be able to build connections with the other officers,” Angomas says. “I was excited about getting hands-on experience.”

The busy nature of a police department has quickly taught Angomas a lot about what a future as an officer will entail. He works specifically on marijuana expungement cases, using the department’s database to retrieve and navigate information that will aid in a court in making an individual’s arrest or conviction record unavailable to the public.

Read more student intern experiences!

Written by Sarah Ramirez

Ta’Miyah Alexander, who is majoring in with a minor in , has obtained an operations internship with KIPP Newark Lab High School. In her role, Alexander tackles various administrative and logistical tasks, seeing firsthand the inner workings of educational institutions, which prepares her for her future goals to work in an administrative setting and “balance interactions with both students and adults.”

KIPP Newark Lab High School is a part of the Knowledge is Power Program network, commonly referred to as KIPP. KIPP is a national network of free open-enrollment college-preparatory public charter schools and is the largest network in North America. They have a focus for setting locations in low income communities.

“I was particularly excited about the opportunity to work at KIPP Newark Lab High School because of their strong reputation for educational excellence and community impact,” says Alexander. “The chance to contribute to an organization that is dedicated to improving educational outcomes for students in Newark resonated with my career aspirations.”

Working in the field has allowed Alexander to gain interpersonal skills that are difficult to fully develop in a classroom setting. Among those skills include “exposure to diverse perspectives.”

“Working with a diverse team and student body will enhance my cultural competency and ability to advocate for children from various backgrounds,” says Alexander.

Additionally, the shift from the role of student to an administrative intern provides the opportunity to navigate the operations and “broader context of how school functions” from a new perspective.

“The hands-on experience in school operations is invaluable for understanding the behind-the-scenes efforts that contribute to a successful educational environment.”

Read more student intern experiences!

Written by Sarah Ramirez

Barry Mahmoud, a and double major, has been interning at the Federal Public Defender’s Office in Newark. As an investigative intern, Mahmoud assists investigators in obtaining and analyzing client materials such as medical records, financial reports, and more. Mahmoud is working toward law school and taking this opportunity to “gain some experience in the field of public interest law.”

Mahmoud originally began working in the Newark office in November of 2023 for an assignment that required him to observe a court session and then took the initiative in asking for a possible internship.

“After the eventful day, I was eager to return and spend more time, so I followed up in the spring about an internship opportunity, and here I am,” he says.

Mahmoud is appreciative to do “extremely meaningful” work: “As public defenders, the office handles cases for those who are unable to obtain their own representation in court. Many of the clients are people who come from historically disenfranchised and marginalized communities, thus providing them an opportunity to not only have a lawyer, but some of the best in their respective fields.”

Furthermore, Mahmoud values the exposure to the judicial system as he approaches law school: “This is the type of experience that I could never obtain in a classroom setting. Being able to witness firsthand the way that the federal judicial system functions and the many intricacies of it has been eye-opening, to say the least. Working with and speaking with the attorneys, as well as the clients, provides me with meaningful insight.”

Read more student intern experiences!

Written by Sarah Ramirez