Division of Student Life | Career Center
Division of Student Life | Career Center
Career Center

Get Career Ready

About Career Readiness

Employers are looking at career readiness differently today. They are focusing less on your academic major or GPA and more on your transferable skills, experiences, and professional competencies.

The 8 Career Readiness Competencies (CRCs)—developed by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) and adapted by the Career Center to reflect Jesuit values—help connect your coursework, campus involvement, service, and internships to the skills employers want.

The good news: You are building career readiness in your classes every day. Pay attention to your syllabi and Canvas courses - you’ll likely see the Career Readiness Competencies referenced by your faculty. You’re learning the course content, of course, but you’re also building skills that you can share with potential employers, networking contacts, and in cover letters and conversations.

Career & Self Development

Proactively develop self through continual personal and professional learning; discern awareness of strengths and skills; navigate career opportunities and areas for professional growth; and network to build relationships and professional knowledge.

    • Show an awareness of strengths and areas for development.
    • Identify areas for continual growth;pursue and apply feedback.
    • Develop plans and goals for your future career.
    • Professionally advocate for yourself and others.
    • Display curiosity; seek out opportunities to learn.
    • Assume duties or positions that will help you progress professionally.
    • Establish, maintain, and/or leverage relationships with people who can help you professionally.
    • Seek and embrace development opportunities.
    • Voluntarily participate in further education, training, or other events to support your career.
    • Attend Spring and Fall Career Fairs Career Center programs and presentations
    • Connect with peers, alumni, faculty and staff. Use SJU Connects to find alumni for informational interviews and mentoring.
    • Seek out campus student leadership opportunities, such as Admissions Hawk Hosts, Dean’s Leadership Program, Orientation Leaders, and student organization leadership roles.
    • Participate in experiential programs, such as Service Learning, Research, Internships, Co-op and Study Abroad.
    • Attend employer events posted on Handshake
    • Learn about different career paths by viewing Hawk Talk Alumni Videos

Critical Thinking

Recognize and address needs by understanding the situation and logically analyzing
relevant information. Consider the impact of one’s thinking on others and the world.

    • Make decisions and solve problems using sound, inclusive reasoning and judgment.
    • Gather and analyze information from a diverse set of sources and individuals to fully understand a problem.
    • Proactively anticipate needs and prioritize action steps.
    • Accurately summarize and interpret data with an awareness of personal biases that may impact outcomes.
    • Effectively communicate actions and rationale, recognizing the diverse perspectives and lived experiences of stakeholders.
    • Multi-task well in a fast-paced environment.
    • Take courses that involve data and analysis. Ask your advisor for recommendations on courses.
    • Seek committee or officer roles in student organizations that include gathering/reporting information and contribute to strategic direction and decisions.
    • Seek opportunities within current part-time job/service/ internship roles to Intentionally develop or seek responsibilities that challenge you in any areas outlined in this competency.
    • Engage in major and career exploration using career assessments, one-on-one appointments with a career counselor, and What Can I Do With This Major?

Digital Technology

Understand and leverage new and emerging technologies ethically to enhance efficiencies, complete tasks, and accomplish goals.

    • Navigate change and be open to learning new technologies.
    • Use technology to improve efficiency and productivity of their work.
    • Identify appropriate technology for completing specific tasks.
    • Manage technology to integrate information to support relevant, effective, and timely decision-making.
    • Quickly adapt to new or unfamiliar technologies.
    • Manipulate information, construct ideas, and use technology to achieve strategic goals.
    • Enroll in technology-specific classes within and outside of SJU to gain exposure using new technologies, including utilizing AI.
    • Learn how to leverage AI in your specific field.
    • Seek opportunities within current part-time job/service/ internship roles to Intentionally develop or seek responsibilities that challenge you in any areas outlined in this competency.
    • Take free, online courses - check out Coursera or Alison
    • Research top software used in your field and become proficient in them
    • Maximize usage of platforms such as LinkedIn and SJU Connects

Equity & Inclusion

Demonstrate solidarity, ensuring everyone has the resources and opportunities needed to thrive. Recognize individual differences and intersecting identities. Create a welcoming environment where all voices are valued and encouraged.

    • Solicit and use feedback from multiple cultural perspectives to make inclusive and equity-minded decisions.
    • Actively contribute to inclusive and equitable practices that influence individual and systemic change.
    • Advocate for inclusion, equitable practices, justice, and empowerment for historically marginalized communities.
    • Seek global cross-cultural interactions and experiences that enhance your understanding of people from different demographic groups and that leads to personal growth.
    • Keep an open mind to diverse ideas and new ways of thinking.
    • Identify resources and eliminate barriers resulting from individual and systemic racism, inequities, and biases.
    • Demonstrate flexibility by adapting to diverse environments.
    • Address systems of privilege that limit opportunities for members of historically marginalized communities.

Leadership

Leverage the strengths of self and others to achieve common goals and foster a culture of empowerment, trust, and collaboration.

    • Inspire, persuade, and motivate self and others under a shared vision.
    • Seek out and leverage diverse resources and feedback from others to inform direction.
    • Use innovative thinking to go beyond traditional methods.
    • Serve as a role model to others by approaching tasks with confidence and a positive attitude.
    • Motivate and inspire others by encouraging them and by building mutual trust.
    • Plan, initiate, manage, complete, and evaluate projects.

Oral & Written Communication

Clearly and effectively exchange information, ideas, facts, and perspectives with persons inside and outside of an organization

    • Understand the importance of and demonstrate verbal, written, and non-verbal/body language, abilities.
    • Employ active listening, persuasion, and influencing skills.
    • Communicate in a clear and organized manner so that others can effectively understand.
    • Frame communication with respect to diversity of learning styles, varied individual communication abilities, and cultural differences.
    • Ask appropriate questions for specific information from supervisors, specialists, and others.
    • Promptly inform relevant others when needing guidance with assigned tasks.
    • Deliver presentations to groups
    • Ask questions in class and when working in groups
    • Update your resume and LinkedIn profile, focusing on your accomplishments
    • Provide verbal or written updates to your manager and team
    • Apply for communications positions and committees in student organizations

Professionalism

Demonstrate personal accountability and effective work habits.  Act with integrity to responsibly and ethically further the interests of the larger community.

    • Act equitably with integrity and accountability to self, others, and the organization.
    • Maintain a positive personal brand in alignment with organization and personal career values.
    • Be present and prepared.
    • Demonstrate dependability (e.g., report consistently for work or meetings).
    • Prioritize and complete tasks to accomplish organizational goals.
    • Consistently meet or exceed goals and expectations.
    • Have an attention to detail, resulting in few if any errors in your work.
    • Show a high level of dedication toward doing a good job.
    • Show up to class and student organization meetings on time and communicate with your professor or peers if you are going to be late or absent
    • Use a professional email signature and voicemail greeting
    • Behave in Zoom/Team meetings as you would at in-person meeting with camera on, sitting at attention, and dressed for work
    • Write emails that are thorough to reduce back-and-forth communication
    • Inquire about preferred communication methods at your place work and in student organizations and follow the established protocols

Teamwork & Collaboration

Build and maintain collaborative relationships to work effectively toward common goals, while appreciating diverse viewpoints and shared responsibilities.

    • Listen carefully to others, taking time to understand and ask appropriate questions without interrupting.
    • Effectively manage conflict, interact with and respect diverse personalities, and meet ambiguity with resilience.
    • Be accountable for individual and team responsibilities and deliverables.
    • Employ personal strengths, knowledge, and talents to complement those of others.
    • Exercise the ability to compromise and be agile.
    • Collaborate with others to achieve common goals.
    • Build strong, positive working relationships with supervisor and team members/coworkers.
    • Join an intramural sports team or student organization on campus
    • Volunteer for a cause that interests you and allows you to work with others
    • Engage in weekly service projects, internships, and/or part-time jobs.
    • Secure part-time jobs, summer jobs, and internships