University Career Center
Location: Student Success Center, Room 3250, MSC 1016
Phone: (540) 568-6555
The University Career Center's (UCC) mission is to Empower Students. Cultivate opportunities. Forge partnerships. Launch careers. This includes all class years and every major. Building upon your career knowledge and networking confidence far before it's time for you to begin job/internship searching will give you a competitive edge against other applicants, impress employers, and help to increase overall job satisfaction.
Whether you have your heart set on a career path, or have no idea what you want, UCC's trusted team of career advisors and staff help Dukes become comfortable and confident in their ability to shape their own future. UCC assists students with this through:
Career Exploration
- UNST 102: An elective 1-credit hour course which helps students investigate career options
- Career Guide to JMU Majors: An online resource that provides detailed information about majors and how they link to potential career options
- Decision-Making Assistance: Students can meet individually with career advisors to explore potential careers that match their strengths and interests.
- Career Exploration Assessments: UCC offers 2 assessments, FOCUS and the Strong Interest Inventory, to assist students in identifying majors and careers of interest as they relate to the student's interests and values.
Finding a Job or Internship
- Handshake: Students can upload their resumes and apply for entry-level jobs and internships specifically curated for college students using this online resource.
- Resume Writing: The office provides resume workshops and a variety of resume review opportunities (including specialized 1:1 appointments).
- Interview Practice: The office offers practice interview events (PIE) in person or through our online platform, BigInterview. Employers also regularly visit campus and use virtual platforms, like Handshake and Zoom, to conduct interviews with JMU students for jobs and internships.
- Networking Opportunities: UCC hosts many networking events throughout the year to connect students with JMU alumni and employers in various fields through panels, socials, and more.
- Career Fairs: The JMU Career and Internship Fair (formerly the University Career Fair), and other career events, bring employers to campus each semester to provide information to students about job and internship opportunities. Several colleges and majors also partner with UCC to offer specialized career fairs for certain industries, including education, nursing, hospitality, sport and recreation management, integrated science and engineering, and business.
Preparing for Graduate School
- Graduate School Resources: Specialized 1:1 appointments. Available online; topics include financing graduate school, choosing a graduate school, applying to graduate school, etc.