Turning curiosity into career momentum

Information Technology and Honors Interdisciplinary Studies major Will Jedrzejczak has built an impressive internship resume before even graduating—and he credits a few key strategies for his success.

By his sophomore year, Jedrzejczak had completed internships with ManTech International, two startups and Amazon Web Services’ national security team, and he’s set to start a full-time role with Palantir Technologies in May 2026.

When asked how he navigated these opportunities, Jedrzejczak points to three strategies:

• Career fairs: “I got my first internship at ManTech through the JMU CISE Career Fair,” he said. “Talking to employers face-to-face opened doors I didn’t even know existed.”
• Handshake: JMU’s online job platform has helped him apply to multiple startups, giving him hands-on experience across different environments.
• Networking: Leveraging peers and the JMU alumni network has connected him with mentors and companies in tech, finance, and beyond. “JMU people really do care about you,” Jedrzejczak said.

For Jedrzejczak, these strategies combined with JMU’s strong curriculum and extracurricular opportunities have created a roadmap from classroom learning to real-world impact. “JMU gave me theoretical knowledge I could apply directly in internships,” he said. “Growth happens when you move first—find the rooms that challenge you, and keep showing up.”