Career Center helps students unlock their futures with expert guidance and resources

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The University Career Center offers students numerous resources and opportunities to ensure post-graduate success.

Among UCC’s many events throughout the year, the Career Fairs showcase numerous employers at the local, regional and national levels who share information with students in the hopes of recruiting new employees.

At a recent fair, many of the company representatives spoke of wanting to hire from a diverse pool of majors. 

“I love how JMU students represent themselves at career fairs,” said Katherine Lader, senior campus recruiter for Collabera, an information-technology consultant. “I feel like everybody takes this seriously, which we appreciate, and everybody comes prepared with resumes. The teachers here are telling you guys all the right things.”

Communication Studies major Hope Wilmoth (’25) values the Career Fairs for the opportunities. 

“I always like to expand my horizons, and I think it is always worth it to be a lifelong learner and to shoot for the greatest thing you can,” she said. “So, if there’s something out there that would serve my best interest, I’m going to go for it.”

Rosé and Resumes is another event the UCC offers to students, specifically juniors and seniors, to network with JMU alumni and receive feedback on their resumes.

Art student Maiya Correa (’25) is considering her options in education and in the studio. 

“I feel like I also want to market myself as an artist, and I just want to learn better strategies for how to do that,” she said.

Derek Steele (’84), a member of the JMU Alumni Board of Directors and president of the Ole School Alumni Group, likes participating in Career Center events and helping students along in their career paths. “It’s great, but if our students are not being successful, then we’re nothing,” he said. 

Steele has heard from employers about the benefits of hiring JMU alumni. “Once you get a resume from JMU, they’re going to interview that person, because they know that most people who are coming out of JMU are prepared. I didn’t know if that was the reputation before, but that is what it is today.”

Erin Coley (’06) says her Madison Experience in the Communication Studies program prepared her for the professional world, particularly when it comes to presentational speaking and one-on-one consultations.

“‘Dukes hold doors’ is a thing,” she said, “but it also means, if you see someone, help someone. This isn’t just holding the door for them, but creating an opportunity. We’re not the only big school out there, but I think we are special in that way. When you meet JMU alumni who get away from campus, there’s such an immediate bond.”

Coley believes students should take advantage of UCC resources, which are available to them up to two years after graduation.

“JMU has given me the skills to land in any situation and figure it out,” she said.