Student Information
You’re invited to attend the College of Arts and Letters (CAL) Career Conference alumni panels and lunch on Friday, February 20, 2026.
What is a Career Readiness Conference?
The CAL Career Readiness Conference gives you the opportunity to learn more about the transition from your career as a student to whatever the next phase is for you. Some of the benefits for you include opportunities to:
- Network with CAL alumni
- Hear from alumni about their transition from classroom to career
- Discover valuable strategies for pursuing career opportunities
- And more!
Student registration is not required to attend the event, but is required to participate in the complimentary lunch event. Reserve your seat.
We want this program to be welcoming, accessible, and inclusive for all of our participants. Please share any considerations (e.g., disability, wellness, cultural, etc.) you want us to know about with Shannon Wilson at wilso4sl@jmu.edu or call 540-568-8904.
Featured Programming
2026 Schedule
Thursday
Alumni will visit select classes or department events to talk with students about their experiences after graduating from JMU.
Friday
9:00 AM (Taylor Hall 404): Networking breakfast for faculty and alumni
9:45 AM (Taylor Hall 307): Check-in begins for alumni, students, and volunteers
Students: Drop in as you are for any of the sessions below.
Session 1
10:20-11:10 AM / Taylor Hall 3rd and 4th floors
Concurrent panels and workshops
- Careers in Public Service and Government (Taylor Hall 400): Hear about alumni's unexpected journeys and get advice for starting your own. This panel will feature alumni whose careers align with the Public Service, Law, and Government career community.
- Insights from Employers (Taylor Hall 305): Alumni with hiring experience share insights about the job search and hiring process, what they look for in resumes, interview tips, and expectations of new employees.
- Resume/Portfolio Reviews (Taylor Hall 306): Alumni will meet with students to discuss resumes and portfolios. Students are encouraged to bring materials to review and receive feedback.
Session 2
11:30 AM-12:20 PM / Taylor Hall 3rd and 4th floors
Concurrent panels and workshops
- Balancing Acts (Taylor Hall 400): Work/life balance is something young professionals often struggle with, especially those navigating multiple time commitments, or responsibilities. Alumni will share their experiences and lessons learned.
- Communication in the Workplace (Taylor Hall 305): Alumni discuss strategies for developing the written and verbal communication skills required in any career and share insights to what internal communication is like in the workplace.
- Life as an Entrepreneur (Taylor Hall 306): Alumni will share the ins and outs of being an entrepreneur.
- Speed Networking (Taylor Hall 405): Alumni will be assigned a topic and table. Students will spend a short period of time at each table and rotate through to discuss each topic. Topics will include job/internship search tips, the importance of mentorship, AI in the workplace, best practices for networking, and how to market soft skills acquired through part time jobs and courses.
12:30 PM-1:45 PM / Madison Union Ballroom, Warren Hall 5th floor
Lunch with Keynote speaker
Planning for Life After College: How to Thrive Financially (Madison Union Ballroom): Join us for an engaging discussion led by Brad Barnett, where we will explore practical strategies for financial success as you transition from college to career. Would you like to learn how to determine what salary you need to meet your goals, or how to plan for managing student loan payments? This interactive session will be guided by your questions, so come ready to ask and gain insights tailored to your future. (reservations encouraged for students)
Session 3
1:55 PM-2:45 PM / Taylor Hall 3rd and 4th floors
Concurrent panels and workshops
- Careers in Arts, Communication, and Entertainment (Taylor Hall 400): Hear about alumni's unexpected journeys and get advice for staring your own. This panel will feature alumni whose careers align with the Arts, Communication, and Entertainment career community.
- Careers in Doing Good (Taylor Hall 305): Alumni will share their experiences from careers in service, nonprofit, social justice, civic engagement, and advocacy to students who are interested in serving in such fields.
- Networking and Resume/Portfolio Reviews (Taylor Hall 306): Alumni will meet with students to review resumes, portfolios, and answer questions about life after graduation.
- Next Steps for Your Legal Career (Taylor Hall 404): Whether you are a freshman who is just starting to explore the possibility of law school and legal career paths or you're a graduating senior getting ready to start law school in the fall, this session is for you. Join law alumni for advice on next steps towards law school and a legal career.
3:00 PM-4:00 PM / Taylor Hall 405
Employer Tabling and Dessert (Taylor Hall 405): Students can enjoy dessert while meeting employers in an informal setting to learn about their organization and any open positions that may be available.
3:00 PM-4:30 PM / Hall of Presidents, D-Hall 3rd floor
Alumni, Faculty & Staff Reception
Alumni Information
Parking Information
Digital parking passes will be issued for the Mason Street Parking Deck. A link to the pass will be emailed to registered alums. Use the link to enter your vehicle information when you arrive to campus. Review the JMU parking map for reference.
Inclement Weather
If the University has a delayed opening due to inclement weather, the Career Readiness Conference schedule will be adjusted to accommodate the delay. If the University is closed due to inclement weather, the Career Readiness Conference will not be held.
