career support, one workshop at a time
Student Success Express Career Workshops
Student Success Express Career Workshops help you build practical career skills and prepare for what’s next. Workshops are led by career coaches, employers, and alumni and offered throughout the semester in person and virtually. Get practical tips, ask questions, and leave with strategies you can put to use right away.
This semester’s workshops
Choose a month below to see what is coming up, then open a workshop to read the full description and register on Handshake. Workshops are free and open to all UT students. Most sessions last about an hour and are offered either in person or virtually.
October
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 turned 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!
November
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 continue 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.
Looking for more than a workshop?
Student Success Express Career Workshops are just one part of Student Success Express, UT’s extended-hours support program. Visit the first floor of Hodges Library Tuesday through Thursday evenings to connect with Student Success professionals for academic advising, tutoring, and other resources designed to help you succeed.
Want to talk one-on-one?
If you don’t see a workshop that matches what you’re looking for, schedule an appointment with the career coach who serves your major. Whether you need a quick resume review or a deeper career planning conversation, our team is here to help.