LevelUP Your Career Readiness by Volunteering
Posted on February 10, 2025 by Michelle Hale
The Office of Academic Enhancement, in collaboration with the Office of Community Engagement, and the Career Development office, is excited to announce new opportunities for students to enhance their career readiness through targeted volunteer experiences. These opportunities were highlighted at JagServe: Community Volunteer, Internship, & Career Fair which was held in October. JagServe enabled students to explore gaining career experience, boosting their resume, or just uplifting the community. Students were able to meet with local and regional nonprofits to learn about internships, full-time positions, part-time positions, and volunteer opportunities. They learned how specific volunteer opportunities would support their development of skills valued by employers, such as career and self-development, communication, critical thinking, leadership, professional development, teamwork, and technology.
The LevelUP QEP is a campus-wide initiative through the Office of Academic Enhancement that uniquely prepares students for what comes next by fostering career readiness, equipping them to confidently transition into the workforce or graduate studies. South Serves connects students with meaningful community engagement opportunities that foster personal and professional growth, allowing them to develop essential competencies highly valued by employers and graduate programs.
"LevelUP empowers students to take an active role in their personal and professional development by connecting their academic experiences with real-world opportunities. Volunteering through South Serves allows students to build essential career readiness skills, ensuring they graduate as confident, capable, and prepared professionals." Julie M. Estis, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Interim Associate Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness and Executive Director, Academic Enhancement.
South Serves has curated a list of volunteer opportunities specifically designed to help students build and demonstrate these competencies. Students are encouraged to explore opportunities to not only give back to the community but also to gain practical experience that will be invaluable in their future careers. Additionally, integrating volunteer experiences into their personal ePortfolios can provide a reflective tool to showcase growth and development to potential employers or graduate programs.
"Community engagement plays a vital role in student growth, offering hands-on experiences that foster essential career skills while creating a meaningful impact. Through South Serves, students can enhance their leadership, teamwork, and communication abilities, equipping them for future professional success." Joél Lewis Billingsley, Ph.D., Vice President for Community Engagement.
For more information on available volunteer opportunities and how they align with career readiness competencies, please visit the South Serves Professional Growth Opportunities page.