Happy Spring! I hope this newsletter finds you doing well. It's hard to believe how fast this semester has gone by. The last few months have been busy with career fairs, employer tabling on campus, and virtual events. If you haven't had a chance to come to campus this semester, please make plans for the fall. It's never too early to start planning your recruiting strategy.
Hope you'll enjoy our spring newsletter filled with future opportunities to engage with JMU students. Since many of you plan your fall activities way in advance, we want to make sure you have all the information you need to be successful.
Starting Thursday, May 1st, you can begin registering for fall recruiting events in Handshake. This includes our fall career fairs, on-campus interviews, information tables, and information sessions. If you have a specific day for your recruiting events, please register early. Popular dates around career fairs and other important events on campus get taken quickly.
Back again this August, we will host our Employer and Faculty Forum on Tuesday, August 5th, 2025. Employers will have a chance to learn about recruiting at JMU and interact with faculty. During the conference, we will be sharing recruiting updates as well as have information sessions on best practices. Registration will open in June on Handshake. We'd love to have you join us!
If you could, please take five minutes to take our employer survey to help us better market and prepare JMU students for the workplace, and understand why our students are valuable to employers like you!
Our Employer Services Team is here to help as you plan for the upcoming fall semester. If you have questions about recruiting at JMU or just want to consult about your current strategy, please don't hesitate to reach out to our team.
All the best, Laura
P.S. - Pass It On!
Are there organizations in your network looking to recruit new talent? Share this newsletter with them and let them know they can connect with our Employer Services Team to help navigate their hiring needs, whether they are looking for interns, seasonal or full-time employees.
Employer & Faculty Forum
Join us on August 5th, 2025 to learn about recruiting at JMU and get connected with faculty.
Registration opens June 2nd on Handshake. We hope to see you there!
Fall Career Fairs
Registration for Fall Career Fairs opens May 1st!
- University Career Fair (UCF) Day 1: Tuesday, September 16, 2025 in the AUBC; this event is catered toward ALL majors
- University Career Fair (UCF) Day 2: Wednesday, September 17, 2025 in the AUBC; this event is catered toward ALL majors
- CISE Fair: Tuesday, September 9, 2025 in Festival Ballroom; this event is catered toward the following majors: Biotechnology, Computer Science, Engineering, Geography, Information Technology, Integrated Science & Technology, and Intelligence Analysis
- Hart Fair: Wednesday, November 5, 2025 in Festival Ballroom; this event is catered toward Hospitality and Sport & Recreation Management majors
Important Fall Semester Dates
- August 20: First Day of Fall Semester
- September 26-28: Family Weekend
- October 17-19: Homecoming
- October 22-26: Fall Break
- November 22-Dec 1: Thanksgiving Break
- December 5: Last Day of Classes
Don't forget there are other ways to get in touch with JMU students! UCC offers free tabling events for employers to market toward target audiences across campus.
GET INVOLVED!
The UCC offers virtual and in-person programs throughout the year, allowing employers the opportunity to connect with our students in meaningful and creative ways. These programs include Employer Panels, Practice Interview Events, Career Treks and more! Check out the recruiting timeline of these amazing opportunities with the Employer Menu of Services! To get connected, contact handshake@jmu.edu.
Practice Interview Events
Our Practice Interview Events (PIE) offer students the opportunity to practice their interview skills without additional pressure and allows them to receive feedback from employers.
Our PIE dates are in! Hope to see you there!
- September 25th, 2025 (Virtual)
- October 29th, 2025 (In-Person)
- November 19th, 2025 (Virtual)
Want to get involved? Email handshake@jmu.edu
Welcome Sarah Jane!
Sarah Jane Christensen is the Employer Services' Recruiting Programs Coordinator!
Sarah Jane graduated with her undergraduate degree in theatre from JMU and obtained her teaching license in Theatre Arts. She worked with non-profit theatres in VA, focusing in educational departments and teaching programs. She also worked for a DC theatre, planning outreach and donor events to increase education/engagement efforts. Now, back at JMU, she supports students by expanding opportunities for career development and making lasting employer connections. Sarah Jane can help you coordinate on-campus interviews and information tables/sessions.
employer survey
Please take 5 minutes to take this survey and let us know why you hire JMU students!
Career Communities
The UCC unveiled a Career Communities model this fall. Career Communities are a grouping of loosely related industry and job function areas, with one or more UCC Champions from the Career Advising and Employer Services teams. The goal of Career Communities is to provide a framework for students to learn about the world of work and to recognize how numerous academic disciplines can prepare students for a specific industry or set of job roles. You will notice that in registering for the University Career Fair, you'll be asked to align your registration with one or more career community. Newsletters curated for each community will be sent out once or twice a month.
Here are the 10 JMU Career Communities:
- Arts, Communications, & Entertainment
- Education & Training
- Health Sciences
- Hospitality & Tourism
- Management, Operations, Human Resources, & Finance
- Public Service, Law, & Government
- Research, Science, & Environmental Studies
- Sales, Marketing, & Entrepreneurship
- Social & Behavioral Scienes
- Technology & Engineering
reminder!
Please be sure to take down any old job postings on Handshake to ensure that our students are finding the most recent and available opportunities!
Handshake Feed
Let Handshake Work For You!
Connect with early career talent by using the "Feed" on Handshake, an easy and free way to gain more attention. Just like social media, students can find new opportunities by scrolling and saving their favorite posts from employers like you!
How it Works
- Upload a pic, video, link, or text to engage directly with students. To make a post --> Click on your name in the upper-right corner of the page, then select Open home feed OR click My Profile from the left navigation bar, then click the Posts tab.
- Add a hyperlink by copying and pasting your URL directly into the text box. Hit "enter" to activate your URL link and create an automatic visual that displays your URL embedded image.
- You can select whether you want to post on your own behalf or on the behalf of your company. *To note, posts can only be created by the owner if you are using a Handshake basic or plus account. For Handshake Premium accounts see more detailed instructions.
- You can share job/internship opportunities, career advice, and professional insights. Posting and commenting in the feed provides a personal touch that lets young professionals know who you are and why they should work with you.
- As long as you are connected to a school, your post is shared with all students and is promoted based on their student profile, interests, and activity.
Examples: "What Every Young Professional Should Know," "Best Practices to Nail Your Interview," "What You Should Always Bring to a Career Fair," and "5 Reasons You Should Work Here."
Promote your company in a way that early talent loves!
Industry Partnerships with JMU X-Labs
What transformative innovations and meaningful societal advancements can be unlocked when higher education and industry form deeper, purpose-driven partnerships that align talent, research, and impact? JMU X-Labs is seeking forward-thinking industry partners who are eager to collaborate with JMU in mutually beneficial ways and are passionate about cultivating the next generation of leaders and problem solvers. If this describes your business, complete the form below to start the conversation about a potential partnership.
Pardon our dust
The University Career Center is undergoing a summer renovation! This renovated space will be more sustainable for our growing office and offer suitable spaces for students to continue their career development.
This summer, the UCC will be located on the first floor of the Student Success Center in the Learning Centers.
UCC Partner Program
Looking for help with marketing your positions and events on campus? Consider joining the UCC Partner's Program. There are many benefits to this program, including:
- Recognition as University Career Center Partner on digital channels (website, social media, newsletter, etc.)
- High-traffic space at the Fall or Spring career fair
Want to learn more? Contact Laura Hickerson, at hickerly@jmu.edu
Thank you to our current UCC Partners!
Are you a Virginia Employer who wants to learn how to create an internship path for your organization? Consider connecting with your regional VTOP representative!
Our UCC staff would like to thank you all for your continued support in recruiting our Dukes! We hope you enjoy the blooming season and the warming weather. We look forward to seeing you here at JMU soon. GO DUKES!!!
Connect with the University Career Center on social media @jmucareer!