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New skills series bolsters students' career readiness

September 18, 2024

James Madison College is rolling out a new three-part seminar series that will enhance students' career readiness. The initiative, developed by Madison’s Career Advisor Karissa Chabot-Purchase and Field Experience Coordinator Lauren Michalak, responds to feedback from alumni and employers about the skills most valued in today's job market.

"This series is designed to give students practical tools they can use throughout their careers," said Chabot-Purchase. "We're focusing on helping students effectively communicate their experiences and skills to future employers, internship providers and graduate/professional schools."

By participating in the JMC Skills Seminar Series, students will be empowered to: 

  • Design resumes and cover letters tailored to specific opportunities
  • Strategically format professional documents to optimize performance in applicant tracking systems
  • Effectively communicate skills, qualifications, and outcomes through bullet point statements and deliberate storytelling
  • Engage appropriate AI tools to enhance professional document development
  • Create and manage a professional online presence to support career exploration and internship/job searches
  • Implement strategies for finding relevant connections using existing relationships, alumni, and online searches related to interests and goals
  • Practice initiating appropriate and effective communication with professional connections

Students who complete all three seminars will receive coaching on how to list the professional development skills gained through the series on their professional documents and online profiles. Chabot-Purchase and Michalak are also working on a process to award LinkedIn badges for completing the series that they hope to roll out later this academic year.

This series is uniquely tailored to the Madison community, aligning with the college's strong emphasis on experiential learning. Study abroad programs, internships and other field experiences form an integral part of JMC students' education. These seminars equip students to effectively communicate the value of these experiences in professional and academic settings.

"Our goal is to help students connect the dots between their academic achievements, extracurricular activities and future career paths,” explained Michalak.

A key feature of the series is its emphasis on relationship-building skills, including a session that will explore how to network and an opportunity to practice those skills with Madison alumni. (Special guests for the Oct. 30 panel will be announced in the coming weeks.)

This initiative represents James Madison College's ongoing efforts to adapt its career services to meet evolving job market demands. By updating their offerings, Chabot-Purchase and Michalak aim to ensure students are well-prepared for their future professional and academic pursuits.

"Our goal is to equip students with the tools they need to pursue fulfilling careers," said Chabot-Purchase. "We believe this program will be a valuable resource for our students as they prepare for their professional lives."

JMC Skills Seminar Events