This fall, as part of Student Success Express, the Center for Career Development and Academic Exploration is offering a lineup of workshops designed to help you take the next step in your career journey.
Whether you are exploring career options, polishing your resume, or preparing for grad school, you’ll find sessions that meet your needs.
With both in-person and virtual options, it’s easy to join in and build skills that will set you apart!
Click on an event from the list below to learn more and register.
Fall 2026 Career Development Workshops
Try It to Know It: Exploring Majors & Careers Through Experience
Tuesday, August 25 | 5:15 – 6:15 pm | Student Union 225
Some answers only come from doing. Let’s find your starting point. By the of this session, we hope that you learn how to: 1. Identify resources that provide experiential learning opportunities relevant to exploring majors and careers. 2. Create a semester action plan that outlines (at least two) concrete steps toward gaining experiences. 3. Apply a structured reflection framework to evaluate meaningful takeaways from experience.
Vol Edge: What’s Everyone Talking About (and How to Start)
Wednesday, August 26 | 4:15 – 5:15 pm | Student Union 229
You’ve heard about Vol Edge. Now try it. Log in, explore a module, and leave with a clear starting point. You’ll learn how Vol Edge helps you build career-ready skills, gain experience, and earn recognition like badges, a certificate, a transcript distinction, and a graduation cord.
Networking Smarter, Not Harder
Monday, August 31 | 4:15 – 5:15 pm | Virtual
Learn how to limit ghosting and build a relevant, strategic network that aligns with your goals. This workshop teaches you how to connect with intention, engage meaningfully, and cultivate long-term professional relationships that support your growth. Discover practical tools to network smarter, strengthen connections, and create opportunities that last.
Interviewing with Confidence
Tuesday, September 1 | 4:15 – 5:15 pm | Student Union 262B
Join the Center for Career Development & Academic Exploration for a full walkthrough of the interviewing process, including researching a company, dressing for success, crafting interview answers, and sending follow up emails.
Resumes & Cover Letters That Get Noticed
Wednesday, September 9 | 4:15 – 5:15 pm | Virtual
Submitting a resume and cover letter but not hearing back? Unsure of where to start when creating one? Look no further! Hop on Zoom to learn how to create a resume and cover letter that will make you stand out and land those interviews! Hear from career coaches and the Writing Center on the best tips and tricks to get your resume noticed.
How to Crush a Job Fair: Advice from Employers
Monday, September 14 | 4:15 – 5:15 pm | Virtual
Whether this is your first time attending a career fair on Rocky Top, or your fifteenth, hear directly from our employer panel on how to crush a job fair and what makes students stand out!
What is VOLintern?
Tuesday, September 15 | 4:15 – 5:15 pm | Student Union 262A
Interested in hearing more about the VOLintern program and how to gain real world experience without leaving campus? Hear from the VOLintern team about the Division of Student Success’s on-campus internship program, what different internship offerings exist, and how to get involved! We will walk through how to search for different roles, how to have your applications stand out, and what all to expect in the process!
Search Smarter: Job & Internship Search
Wednesday, September 16 | 5:20 – 6:20 pm | Virtual
Fall semester is a great time to begin searching for jobs and internships for Summer 2027! Whether you’re just starting your search or leveling up your career game, this workshop gives you insider tips, confidence-boosting strategies, and practical tools to help you stand out and get hired. We’ll walk through smart ways to use jobs fairs, Handshake, LinkedIn, and UT alumni connections, as well as show you how to tailor your applications and refine your online presence so employers notice you.
Grad School 101: Prepare for the Pre-Law Fair
Monday, September 21 | 4:15 – 5:15 pm | Virtual
Meeting law school recruiters can seem scary, but they don’t have to be! Come learn how to best prepare for the Pre-Law Fair by joining Pre-Law Advising & the Center for Career Development and Academic Exploration (CCDAE). We will discuss topics such as networking, researching programs, and what questions to ask.
Interviewing with Confidence
Monday, September 28 | 5:20 – 6:20 pm | Virtual
You’ve put in the work to build your experience, polished your application materials, and landed an interview… now what? Join the CCDAE for an interactive session that walks you through the full interview process. We’ll cover how to research employers, present yourself professionally, craft strong and authentic responses, and follow up effectively after your interview.
Show Me the Monday: How to Negotiate Your Salary with Confidence
Tuesday, September 29 | 4:15 – 5:15 pm | Virtual
Most students leave money on the table simply because they don’t know how to negotiate. This workshop will break the process down into two powerful steps: Know Your Salary and Know Your Strategy. You’ll learn how to research fair pay, create a budget, and confidently use negotiation techniques that help you secure the compensation you deserve.
Plot Twist: You’re Not Behind
Wednesday, September 30 | 4:15 – 5:15 pm | Student Union 260
“Am I behind?” It’s never too early to start thinking about your future! The first two years of college are a great time to start. Join us to identify your values, learn about on campus resources, and map your career readiness journey at UTK.
Grad School 101: Grad School Applications, Funding, and Finances
Thursday, October 1 | 4:15 – 5:20 pm | Student Union 225
Wondering about the grad school application process? Curious about how to secure funding? Wonder no further! This presentation will help you understand the basics of the grad school admissions process. From finding programs to navigating timelines to specific parts of the application, we will cover it all!
Grad School 101: Personal Statement Basics
Thursday, October 8 | 4:15 – 5:20 pm | Student Union 225
Thinking about or preparing for Grad School? There’s a good chance you’ll need to submit a Personal Statement! Stop by and hear from the Judith Anderson Herbert Writing Center about how to write an effective and strong personal statement, as well as what to include and not to include on it.
Resumes & Cover Letters That Get Noticed
Monday, October 12 | 4:15 – 5:15 pm | Student Union 362A
Submitting a resume and cover letter but not hearing back? Unsure of where to start when creating one? Look no further! Join us to learn how to create a resume and cover letter that will make you stand out and land those interviews! Hear from career coaches and the Writing Center on the best tips and tricks to get your resume noticed.
Careers & Wellbeing: Work-Life Balance Through Healthy Boundaries
Wednesday, October 14 | 4:15 – 5:15 pm | Student Union 362A
Are you checking your emails late at night, texting your manager while in class, or feeling no separation from your life and your work/studies? In this workshop you’ll learn how to professionally say no, even under pressure. Through understanding the power dynamics that make boundary setting hard, you’ll learn how to meet expectations while protecting your well-being too.
Build Your Brand and Get Noticed with Vol Edge
Wednesday, October 14 | 5:20 – 6:20 pm | Student Union 362A
Your personal brand is more than a buzzword. It’s how employers understand who you are and what you bring to the table. In this interactive session, you’ll identify your strengths and values, build your personal brands, and learn how to share it in your job and internship search. Using Vol Edge, you’ll explore tools and strategies to help you stand out and get noticed.
Unexpected Careers in Retail and Hospitality Panel
Thursday, October 15 | 4:15 – 5:30 pm | Virtual
Join us for Unexpected Careers in Retail & Hospitality, a dynamic workshop featuring an employer panel of industry professionals who turned these fields into thriving, long-term careers. Hear firsthand how they built their paths, discovered opportunities beyond the obvious, and leveraged their experiences into leadership, corporate roles, and more. You’ll gain insight into career growth, transferable skills, and how to stand out in fast-paced, people-focused industries.
Grad School 101: Prepare for the Pre-Health Fair & Be a Competitive Applicant
Thursday, October 15 | 5:20 – 6:20 pm | Virtual
Interested in attending the Health Professions Fair but not sure how to prepare? Join Pre-Health Advising & the Center for Career Development and Academic Exploration (CCDAE) to discuss strategies to prepare for the fair, networking tips and tricks, and how to stand out as an applicant overall!
Grad School 101: Getting to know the GRE Test
Monday, October 19 | 5:20 – 6:20 pm | Virtual
Over 400,000 students submit GRE test scores for admission to graduate, business, and law programs! Hear from the people who develop the GRE test at a free virtual workshop, where they’ll talk about how to prepare to do your best on test day.
Using AI in Your Job Search: What Employers Want You to Know
Tuesday, October 20 | 4:15 – 5:15 pm | Virtual
Should you use AI in your job search? If so, how much is too much? Hear from employers about where AI can add value, where it can backfire, and how to use it without hurting your chances.
Changing Majors Isn’t Scary: Exploring Options and Next Steps
Wednesday, October 21 | 4:15 – 5:15 pm | Student Union 229
Are you considering changing your major? Not sure where to begin? This session will help you reflect the fit of your current major, learn about resources to explore majors at UTK, and identify next steps for exploring or declaring a new major of interest.
Grad School 101: What to Consider Before Applying!
Tuesday, October 27 | 4:15 – 5:15 pm | Virtual
There are lots of hidden factors to think about when choosing a graduate school, such as program quality, location, and benefits of attending. Drop by this workshop to learn more about choosing the right program and how to set yourself up for success both academically and personally!
The Digital Glow-Up: Branding Edition
Monday, November 9 | 5:20 – 6:20 pm | Virtual
Looking to give your digital branding a glow up? Whether you’re preparing for your first internship or planning your long-term career path, developing your digital brand now can set you apart. In this workshop we will cover essential strategies like managing your online reputation, creating engaging content, and building a cohesive personal image across platforms.
Vol Edge: Use Winter Break to Get Ahead
Tuesday, November 10 | 4:15 – 5:15 pm | Virtual
You’ve heard about Vol Edge. Now use it to get ahead over winter break. In this session, you’ll log in, explore a module, and create a simple plan you can conintue over break. You’ll learn how Vol Edge helps you build career-ready skills, gain experience, and earn recognition like badges, a certificate, transcript distinction, and graduation cords. Start now so you can return in the Spring with momentum and confidence.
Transferable Skills: What Are They and How Can You Use Them?
Wednesday, November 11 | 4:15 – 5:20 pm | Student Union 362A
In this workshop, you’ll learn what transferable skills are, how to develop them through real-world experiences, and how to confidently showcase them on resumes, applications, and LinkedIn to stand out to employers.
Exploring New Career Paths When Your First Plan Isn’t Working
Monday, November 16 | 4:15 – 5:15 pm | Student Union 252
In a major that doesn’t feel like the right fit but not looking to switch? You can still build a career that excites you. Employers care most about transferable skills, and 92% say soft skills matter as much as or more than technical knowledge. This workshop will show you how to pivot with confidence, highlight the value of your background, and explore new career paths without starting over.
Careers & Wellbeing: Burnout Prevention Before A Breaking Point
Tuesday, November 17 | 4:15 – 5:15 pm | Virtual
Do you feel like you’re juggling too much and yet still somehow need to be doing more? Does your social media feed make you feel inadequate and like you’re falling behind? In this workshop, you’ll learn about preventing burnout while still doing enough.
Exploring Possibilities: Winter Break Edition
Wednesday, November 18 | 4:15 – 5:15 pm | Student Union 229
Exploring Possibilities: Winter Break Edition helps students solve the “I don’t know what I want to do” problem. If you’re undecided, stuck between majors, or unsure how your interests connect to careers, this workshop gives you guided steps to clarify options and leave with a realistic next plan.
Student Success Express
Looking for more support beyond workshops? Through extended weekday hours, Student Success Express provides greater flexibility for you to connect with academic advising, tutoring, and other key support services throughout the semester.
Stop by the Ground Floor of Hodges Library from 5–7 pm every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday to meet with a Student Success staff member, talk through your needs, and create a personalized plan for success.