Transfer resources give students an opportunity to explore their options and move towards their desired path

Valley’s Career and Transfer Center offers support as transfer application season comes to an end. 

By: Rosemary Villalonga, Opinion Editor

The Career and Transfer Center's Linktree offers links to resources like university representative appointments, transfer workshops and application portal links.

Navigating the transfer process can be as tedious as solving a calculus equation, but Valley College’s Career and Transfer Center works to provide students with guidance when embarking on this path. 

As UC and CSU application deadlines approach, hundreds of students are working meticulously to create detailed and thorough applications to increase their chances of getting into their desired school. In 2024 Valley College had 665 students who successfully transferred with 142 UC transfers and 523 transferring to a CSU campus. 

Those who are planning to transfer in the Fall of 2026 must submit their application to UCs and CSUs by Dec. 1. Many Valley College students are going through the application process for the first time and don’t know where to start. The Career and Transfer Center gives students a starting point to ensure their efficient transfer. 

“If transfer is the goal, we provide the direction,” said Career Coordinator Meline Keoseian. “Some students might know what they want but might not know how to get there.”

Resources provided by the center include workshops offered throughout the month such as the “PIQ Prep-Rally,” which offers in-person assistance with the UC personal insight questions. They also offer appointments with various university representatives from schools such as CSU Channel Islands, CSUN and UCLA. This gives students the opportunity to learn more about the various schools and build relationships with representatives. Additionally, they focus on university exploration through bus trips throughout the semester. They have two upcoming trips on Nov. 14 and 21. 

Valley College student Alice Bugliari, who is majoring in biology and plans to transfer in two years, said, “I feel like it's helpful for everyone because it’s a confusing process and different for all schools.”

Transfer Coordinator Rosario Gomez (who normally goes by RG) emphasizes the importance of starting early. “The earlier you can get to that starting line it will make it for an ‘efficient’ transfer year.”

Soledad de Mucha Flores is an English major at Valley College who has previously met with Gomez and is currently going through the application process to transfer. She says the center has helped her with “guidance to transfer in terms of options in the Los Angeles area.”

Additionally, the center goes beyond transfer through workshops on resumes, cover letters and how to find an internship in order to lead students on a successful path to their dream careers. Through career “educational planning,” students can submit a request online for a Student Educational Plan. This makes it simpler as students don’t have to wait to meet with counselors in person. The center oversees seven success coaches who are counseling interns and work with students. 

“Our mission is supporting them along the way through our services and also connecting them to all the different campus services that they would benefit from in order to decrease or completely get rid of any barriers to their education as much as we can,” Keoseian said.

Most services and resources are now available online through sites such as the school website and the CTC Linktree. Additionally, the center explains that having tools like the UC Transfer Admission Planner (TAP), allows a student to prepare for that transfer ahead of time. It gives them the opportunity to send their plan to a university representative and a university representative can then use it to further guide the student. 

“We help students see the light at the end of the tunnel, stay motivated, and stay on top of their goals,” Keoseian said. “We open students up to new possibilities of finding programs that will be a good fit for them.”  

Starting a relationship with the Career and Transfer Center allows students to have support through useful tools and resources as they create a path that aligns with their goals.