Tuesday, October 21, 2025 | |
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NACE Career Readiness Competency: Career & Self-Development
Virtual Interactions Are Here to Stay: Make Every Impression Count
This month, we continue to spotlight the NACE Career Readiness Competency of Career & Self-Development, with a focus on virtual interactions.
Whether you're meeting with an alum, connecting with an employer, or completing a virtual interview like HireVue, how you show up on screen matters. In a hybrid professional world, your virtual presence is often your first impression—and it should reflect the same level of professionalism you'd bring to an in-person meeting. Here are six quick tips to help you stand out:
Background: Choose a clean, uncluttered setting. Use a blurred or neutral background if needed to keep the focus on you.
Camera & Lighting: Keep your camera at eye level and light your face from the front. Avoid backlighting or dim spaces.
Sound: Minimize background noise by silencing your phone, closing windows, and using headphones or a microphone for clarity.
Distractions: Turn off notifications and keep your workspace distraction-free so you can stay fully present.
Posture & Presence: Sit up straight, make eye contact by looking into the camera, and stay visually engaged.
Professional Dress: Opting for business professional is a safe choice. Dress fully, not just from the waist up!
Virtual interviews, networking, and employer conversations are now a standard part of your professional journey. Investing a little extra effort into how you present yourself online shows you're prepared, detail-oriented, and serious about your future.
Remember, first impressions may be virtual, but their impact is very real. If you have an upcoming virtual engagement, you can reserve a virtual interview room through the Office of Professional Development & Engagement.
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Antwerp Information Sessions
October 28 | 4:00 - 4:30PM | Hartman Hall, EY Suite Room 1013
October 29 | 12:45 - 1:15PM | Hartman Hall, EY Suite Room 1013
Are you interested in learning more about a Semester in Antwerp, a study abroad opportunity exclusively for COB students? If so, join us at one of the upcoming 30-minute information sessions and hear from the program director and students about the experience. New applications will be considered for Summer 2026, Fall 2026, and Spring 2027. To learn more, CLICK HERE.
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Practice Interview Event
October 29 | University Career Center | Pre Registration Required
Participate in a 30-minute mock interview with employers and receive insightful feedback on your interviewing skills! To learn more, CLICK HERE.
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Level Up: Post-Grad Training Programs That Propel Your Career
October 29 | 6:00 - 7:00PM | Virtual
Join us for an interactive employer panel exploring structured career-launching opportunities designed to develop future managers and other business professionals. Hear directly from industry professionals from Enterprise, Hilton, and more. Learn how to stand out in the application process, and what to expect as you rotate through key business functions. REGISTER TODAY!
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December 2025 Graduates
November 1 | Application Deadline
If you are graduating this December, don't forget to complete the application that can be found via MyMadison. To learn more, CLICK HERE.
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Hart School Career Fair
November 5 | 10:00-1:00PM | Festival Conference and Student Center, Ballroom
Come connect with industry professionals in your areas of interest and learn about jobs and internships available. To learn more, CLICK HERE.
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Ethics for the Rest of Your Life ft. R. Edward Freeman
November 10 | 3:30PM | The Forum, Hartman Hall
Join the Ethical Reasoning in Action Signature Speaker Series as they host Dr. Freeman to discuss the ethics issues in which today’s world is enmeshed. He suggests that these kinds of issues will prevail for the rest of our lives, and argues that we need to get much better at having ethics conversations with each other. To learn more, CLICK HERE.
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Young Alumni Panel: Workforce Preparedness, Soft Skills
November 10 | 6:00 - 7:00PM | Virtual
Get ready to hear directly from recent graduates who have successfully transitioned from campus to career! The College of Business invites you to a one-hour panel discussion with young alumni who will share their experiences and insights on building confidence, developing soft skills, and navigating the professional world after JMU. REGISTER TODAY!
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Bouncing Back, Resiliency after Rejection
November 12 | 2:00 - 3:00PM | WH 256 - The Union
Conducting a job or internship search currently? Experiencing some stress, anxiety, or frustration with the process? Or did you receive some not-so-great news that set you back? Join us as Kenya Balser (Marketing, ’23) shares her personal journey and hear from Karla Kale, JMU Counseling Center, who will offer tips on managing the emotional ups and downs of the job search. REGISTER TODAY!
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CoB Etiquette Dinner
November 12 | 6:30 - 9:00PM | The Forum, Hartman Hall
Come learn about the essentials of proper dining etiquette with an etiquette consultant. This event is free and available to all declared College of Business students one time during your time at JMU. Space is limited and registration is required. REGISTER TODAY!
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Pizza & Postcards: Supporting Veterans
November 11 | 11:00 - 2:00PM | Hartman Hall Forum, Room 2021
Stop by on Veteran’s Day to honor and celebrate those who have served and are currently serving. Enjoy some pizza while writing postcards to local veterans and holiday greetings that will be sent to those currently serving. It’s a wonderful way to show your appreciation and support!
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The Fallon Challenge
December 5 | Application Deadline
Create, Build, Develop, and Pitch your business "Shark Tank style" on February 26, 2026, for a chance to be awarded the Rodney J. Fallon Scholarship. To learn more, CLICK HERE.
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May/August 2026 Graduates
Applications Now Open
If you are graduating in May or August 2026, you may begin to apply now via MyMadison. To learn more, CLICK HERE.
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Manga for Success!
Learn about statistics or how to manage change through these Japanese-style graphic novels. To learn more, CLICK HERE.
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Join a Career Community
The University Career Center has launched the JMU Career Communities! Join the Career Communities that aligns with your major and the job functions and industry you are interested in. You will receive a customized newsletter, showing employer events, internship, and job postings related to your major and industry interest. To learn more, CLICK HERE.
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Seeking an Internship or Job
The Office of Professional Development and Engagement provides weekly small group career coaching sessions focused on internships and jobs. These sessions are designed to guide you through the process of searching for opportunities, networking, and more. These sessions are held in-person in the Hartman Hall EY Professional Development and Undergraduate Suite. To learn more, CLICK HERE.
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Virtual Interview Rooms
M-F | 9:00-5:00PM | EY Professional Development & Undergraduate Programs Suite
The College of Business has virtual interview rooms for CoB students to reserve to ensure a quiet space for your interviews. Each room is equipped with a computer, camera, and microphone to facilitate your virtual interviews. RESERVE YOUR ROOM TODAY.
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Handshake
Handshake offers JMU students access to: Internships and job opportunities tailored for JMU students; career fairs, workshops, and events hosted by the University Career Center; employer events, info sessions, and on-campus interviews; and appointments with JMU Career Advisors at the University Career Center. To activate your account, CLICK HERE.
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JMU Career Closet
M-F | 8:00-5:00PM | Student Success Center 3rd Floor, Suite 3250
Get ready for JMU Career Fairs, interviews, and class presentations with our curated collection of professional work attire, available to all current JMU students for free. To learn more, CLICK HERE.
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College of Business University Career Center Liaison
Every Thursday | 3:00-5:00PM | Hartman Hall, Employer Space
Drop by and meet with Hadgu Hadgu, the University Career Center Liaison for the College of Business for valuable discussions and guidance about career ideas, resumes, interviews, job searches, internships, graduate schools, and networking. No appointment is required.
| | Undergraduate Programs/Professional Development & Engagement Staff | | | | |
