You’re invited to attend the College of Arts and Letters (CAL) Career Conference on Friday, February 20-21, 2025.

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 stories about alumni experiences 
• Discover valuable strategies for pursuing careers
• And more!

The 2025 schedule is listed below. Registration is not required to attend the event, but is required to participate in the complimentary lunch event. Reserve your lunch space here. 

Accessibility: Navigating Campus

View full program as a PDF

Alumni Participant Biographies

2025 Schedule

Thursday

Alumni will visit select classes or department events to talk with students about their experiences after graduating from JMU.

Friday 

9:00-10:00 AM: Breakfast available for Alumni in Taylor Hall 404

9:45 AM: Sign in begins at Taylor 307 for alumni, students, and volunteers

Students: Drop in as you are for any session.

Session 1

10:20-11:10 AM / Taylor Hall 3rd and 4th floors

Concurrent panels and workshops

(*) Indicates Career Center workshop that will not include alumni panelists

• Balancing Acts: Work/life balance is something young professionals often struggle with, especially those navigating multiple time commitments, or responsibilities. Alumni will share their experience and lessons learned.

• Careers in Doing Good: 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. 

• *Interviewing and talking to Recruiters: Telling your story and highlighting your most important accomplishments and skills can be intimidating at first but is an essential part of getting internships and jobs. Get tips and guidelines for speaking with potential employers.

• You Did What with Your Major? Careers in Arts, Communication, and Entertainment: 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. 

Session 2

11:30 AM-12:20 PM / Taylor Hall 3rd and 4th floors

Concurrent panels and workshops

• Balancing Acts: Work/life balance is something young professionals often struggle with, especially those navigating multiple time commitments, or responsibilities. Alumni will share their experience and lessons learned.

• Insights from Employers: Alumni with hiring experience share insights about the job search and hiring process, like what they look for in resumes, interview tips, and expectations of new employees.

• *Job Search Strategies for Finding an Internship or Job: Learn job search strategies when the job titles aren't clearly associated with your major.

• You Did What with Your Major? Careers in Public Service, Law, and Government: 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.

12:30 PM-1:45 PM / Madison Union Ballroom, Warren Hall 5^th floor

Feature Panel with Feature Panel (reserve your spot)

• Bridging College and Career: A feature panel of students will share work-based experience they have gained as a student and available opportunities. 

Session 3

1:55 PM-2:45 PM / Taylor Hall 3rd and 4th floors

Concurrent panels and workshops

• Communication in the Workplace: 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. 
• Navigating Continued Education after Graduation: Panelists discuss assessing whether additional education is needed to achieve career goals and key factors to consider if you do pursue graduate school.

• *Networking Online and In Person: Learn best practices for making connections online or in person. This session will also highlight how to maximize the use of LinkedIn for networking and learning. 

• You Did What with Your Major?: Hear about alumni's unexpected journeys and get advice for starting your own. 

• You Did What with Your Major in History?: Alumni who majored in History will share about their career paths and tips for students who are interested in working in similar fields.

3:00 PM-4:00 PM / Taylor Hall 405

Employer Tabling: Students can meet employers in an informal setting to learn about their company and any open positions that may be available.

3:00 PM-4:30 PM / Hall of Presidents, D-Hall 3^rd floor

Alumni, Faculty & Staff Reception 

View previous schedule