1st Course to 1st Career Roadmap
At Jax State, the journey from your 1st Course to 1st Career is what we call the Career Road Map. It is designed to guide you every step of the way -helping you explore your interests, gain experience, & build the skills & connections you need for life after graduation. From choosing a major to prepping for interviews, the Career Road Map turns your time in college into a clear, purposeful path toward a future you are excited about.
- Explore Majors, Minors, & Career Paths
- Utilizing Navigate, schedule a career advising appointment.
- Learn about yourself through guided career exploration.
- Explore academic programs, potential career paths, & the General Education focus (Jax MIX) that would best align.
- Get Involved
- Explore & join campus organizations & clubs.
- If you live on campus, participate in residence hall activities.
- Attend career events & JaxMix events.
- Gain Experience
- Begin building a resume & seek feedback from a career advisor.
- Seek volunteering, job shadowing, & other experiential learning opportunities.
- Utilize LinkedIn Learning, in your MyJaxState account, to gain valuable skills & certifications.
- Build a Digital Network
- Learn about Handshake & begin building a profile.
- Create a LinkedIn profile & start building a professional network.
- Conduct a social media cleanse & review your digital footprint.
- Increase Involvement & Experiences
- Assume a leadership position within a student organization or club.
- Complete an internship, job shadow opportunity, or secure a part-time job related to your career goal.
- Final stages of JaxMix microcredential.
- Connect with Employers & Alumni
- Attend career fairs, career workshops, & company information sessions to learn more about potential employers.
- Continue building your LinkedIn profile & networking with employers.
- Talk to employers to learn about industry-specific certifications & how to obtain them.
- Research Graduate Schools
- Visit www.jsu.edu/graduate to explore graduate programs offered at Jax State.
- Talk to professors & career advisors about the benefits of attending graduate school.
- Study for entrance exams & take practice tests.
- Search gradschools.com or petersons.com to find programs of interest.
- Complete Graduate School Prep
- Take entrance exams, if required.
- Ask for letters of recommendation from faculty & professional contacts.
- Submit transcript requests for graduate programs.
- Utilize the Writing Center to assist with admission essays.
- Develop a Career Plan
- Create a post-graduate plan outlining career objectives.
- Continuously update resume & online profiles to reflect experiences, skills, & JaxMix microcredential(s).
- Continue participating in career fairs & network with industry professionals.
- Research potential job opportunities & labor market statistics.
- Prepare for Interviews
- Schedule a mock interview with your career advisor to gain valuable feedback.
- Practice common interview questions & develop compelling answers highlighting skills & experiences.
- Evaluate your professional image & attire.