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Successfully Transitioning to the Workforce
The Lighthouse to host lunch & learn series during J-Term
University News | January 10, 2025
Plans are underway to prepare students for their career searches during January Term (J-Term). The Career Lunch & Learn series organized by the Lighthouse: Center for Exploration and Discovery provide students with hands-on opportunities to build resumes, learn networking skills, and create professional online brands.
Key dates and activities include:
- January 14 & 21, Noon: Sessions on leveraging technology for the job search, professional headshots, and career closet visits.
- January 16, Noon: A pop-in resume and networking session offering practical tips and resume-building support.
- January 22, 3:30 PM: A Career Networking Social Hour in Brock Commons for students to connect with potential employers and practice networking skills.
Andrea Grant, coordinator of student professional development, emphasizes the importance of starting career preparation early and offers a roadmap for students:
- First Year: Engage in part-time jobs, volunteer work, and career research; consider Career Development programs.
- Sophomore Year: Create a career plan, develop a resume, and activate VWU Handshake accounts for job and internship opportunities.
- Junior & Senior Years: Gain work-based learning experience through internships or research, and finalize job search materials.
Grant highlights that the events are tailored to meet students at different stages of their career journey, ensuring a supportive and resource-rich experience.
“Building a resume, learning to network, and creating your own professional brand online while studying at VWU can help assure a successful transition to the professional workforce and to reaching your career goals,” notes Grant. “Resume writing continues to be a first request among employers seeking to hire students. As such, many businesses are selecting to utilize technology to screen resumes for the best matches to the skills they are seeking for specific positions. Tailoring a resume to specific fields and positions can give students an edge in reaching the interview phase of the job search.”
Grant says that networking continues to be a robust avenue to pursue in the job search process. “Having the ability to clearly communicate skills, interests, and abilities to employers can make students stand out above their peers in their job search journey.”
The Lighthouse also encourages donations to its professional career closet, particularly larger sizes in men's clothing, to help students prepare for interviews and professional opportunities.
The activities are funded in part by Title III grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
Learn more about Career Development at VWU.