In this episode of Money Misfits, Professor Heath sits down with former College of San Mateo student Sasha Gret, now a transfer student at UCLA, to talk about the real experience of transitioning from community college to a major university—and the pressure to land internships along the way.

Sasha shares what the first weeks at UCLA were actually like: the shock of huge lecture halls, the fast-paced quarter system, and trying to build friendships after transferring. For many transfer students, the adjustment isn’t just academic—it’s also learning how the internship recruiting timeline works while still adapting to a new school.

Together they break down what students don’t realize about internships until it’s almost too late: companies recruit months in advance, networking matters more than most students expect, and many transfer students feel like they’re playing catch-up.

In this conversation, they discuss:

• What the first weeks at UCLA really feel like for transfer students
• Why the internship search starts earlier than most students think
• How transfer students can feel behind compared to traditional four-year students
• Where students actually find internships (Handshake, networking events, LinkedIn)
• Why joining clubs can make a huge difference in recruiting
• How ChatGPT can help students improve resumes and prepare for job searches
• Advice for community college students preparing to transfer

Sasha also shares the lessons she wishes she knew earlier at community college—including using campus resources, developing strong study habits, and getting involved before transferring.

If you're a community college student planning to transfer, this episode will help you understand what the transition really looks like—and how to prepare for internships before it’s too late. 

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