CAP: Try Out A Career Field

Why Try Out a Career?

Trying out a career can help you:

• Continue exploring and narrowing down your list of potential career options.
• Gain firsthand experience in, developing skills.   
• Make personal and professional contacts. 

Getting Started

• Determine your goals for getting hands-on experience.
• Match opportunities (outlined below) with your goals.
• Learn the process for obtaining the opportunity. This may require a resume.
• Discuss ways to accomplish your goals further with a career advisor, faculty member, or personal mentor.

Opportunities

There are many ways to explore a career field. If you need help identifying your own opportunity, please schedule an appointment with an advisor. 

Shadowing

• Shadowing is an observation experience where you can learn about a job by walking through the work day with a professional in the field. This can include conducting an informational interview. 
• Shadowing usually lasts one day to one week.
• Most people are willing to speak to potential new professionals, so identify places and people of interest, introduce yourself, and talk about your interest in shadowing.

Externships

• Externships are usually more active and lengthier than shadowing experiences. In addition to observing and informational interviewing, you may be participating in day-to-day activities and projects.
• Externships usually last one to eight weeks.
• To find an externship, connect with places and people of interest or search for posted externship opportunities.

Internships

• See our section on Internships for more information.
• Internships usually last eight weeks to three months.

Volunteering

• Volunteering is an off- campus opportunity to contribute your knowledge and skills, give your time without pay, and gain experience in a field of interest. 
• Volunteering can take any amount of time.
• Community Service-Learning is a great place for JMU students to identify volunteer opportunities.

Undergraduate Research

• Conducting undergraduate research allows you to assist with student or faculty-initiated research to supplement what you’re learning in your classes.
• Research is completed over the course of at least one semester.
• Talk to academic departments, individual professors, and your academic advisor about identifying specific research opportunities. Explore the Honors College for additional opportunities.

Student Organizations/Peer Education

• These are involvement and leadership opportunities at JMU where you can mirror “real world” experiences in a student-based environment.
• They are completed over the course of at least one semester.
• Student Activities & Involvement is a great place for JMU students to identify student organization and leadership opportunities. Departments also offer some peer education and leadership activities on-campus, including:
  • Academic Support: First Year Involvement
  • Career Educators: Career & Academic Planning
  • Class Council and Senators: Student Government Association
  • Community Activities Board: Residence Life
  • Fitness Practicum: University Recreation
  • FROGS, OPAs, TOPAs, OOAs: Orientation
  • Accountability Board: Office of Student Accountability & Restorative Practices
  • Conversation Partners: International Programs
  • Madison Advising Peers: University Advising
  • Peer Instructors: Academic Success Program
  • Peer Mentors: Counseling & Student Development Center
  • Psychology Peer Advisors: Psychology Department
  • REACH, Care, SafeRides, SHAC: Health Center
  • Student Ambassadors: Admissions

Part-Time Jobs

• Part-time jobs are paid opportunities that provide experience in a professional setting. They can be on or off-campus
• Part-time jobs can be held for any length of time.
• Start by visiting Student Employment for on and off-campus job postings.