The EDGE is a career readiness preparation program, which consists of four modules that are designed to guide students in their career development. The four modules include Explore, Develop, Grow, and Execute, which each have multiple tasks associated with them. Students enrolled in a College of Business program or pre-business program of study are eligible to sign-up for the EDGE.
To sign-up for the EDGE program, see Ms. Quann in Woodard 225.
1. Explore
Handshake: Create and complete a profile on Handshake. Be sure to include only college information, and complete the following sections: Personal Information, Education, Work Experience, Organizations/Extracurriculars, Courses, Projects, and Skills. Also, upload a current resume to your Handshake profile.
First Year Resume: Prepare a resume, eliminating high school activities EXCEPT accomplishments like Eagle Scout, Gold Award, and any national recognitions.
Focus 2: Visit the Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD) in the University Center to complete this 30 minute assessment.
Career Coach meeting: Make an appointment with Kelsey Whitacre (Woodard 233) and review your “first year resume” and Focus 2 results.
Job/Internship Fair: The fall 2019 fair will be on 10/24 from 3-6 p.m. in the University Center’s Chandler Ballroom. While you will scan your Eagle One card to enter, please visit three employers and bring materials from them back to Lucy Quann (Dean’s Office—Woodard 225) as proof that you spoke with them! The spring date will be announced later this year.
Visit a prof: Identify and visit a professor (either in office hours or make an appointment!) in an area you have interest (in the College of Business). Talk with the professor about what types of jobs are available and what you should be doing as a student to prepare to be a competitive candidate (both academically and through extracurricular activities). Proof of this visit will be either by the professor sending an email to Lucy Quann with your name and date of visit OR by the professor giving you a business card with their signature and date of visit on it (which you will take to Lucy Quann).
Attend a student organization: There are three student organizations in the College of Business. Attend a meeting of one of them and ask the President to send an email to Lucy Quann (lquann@umw.edu) indicating the date you attended.
Attend a COB event fall and spring: Any event that will meet this requirement will have “The EDGE” mentioned as part of the recruitment. Students will either use their Eagle One card or sign out at the end of the event to meet this requirement.
2. Develop
Complete coaching appointment: Make an appointment with Kelsey Whitacre to discuss your upcoming summer plans (typically the summer following your second year). Bring your current resume to the appointment.
Apply to an internship: Either during the Develop or Grow module, you will apply to and complete an internship. Only one internship needs to be completed to meet The EDGE requirements, but students are not limited to only one!
Audit your digital identity: Google yourself and check all of your social media accounts to ensure that the public face you are presenting is what you want employers (and others) to see. Clean up anything inappropriate. Proof of this will be a one-page summary of what you did delivered to Kelsey Whitacre.
Interview skills: Your attendance at the seminar will be proof. If you cannot attend, see Kelsey Whitacre for an alternate requirement.
Internship search strategies: Your attendance at the seminar will be proof. If you cannot attend, see Kelsey Whitacre for an alternate requirement.
Complete informational interviews: Visit Kelsey Whitacre to receive contact information of two UMW College of Business alumni who work in your area of interest. Complete informational interviews with each of them and summarize your conversations in a one page document, returning them to Kelsey Whitacre.
Research two jobs/career paths: No matter your major, there are numerous jobs and career paths available to you. Choose two to research; write a one page summary for each of what employers are looking for AND detail what gaps you have currently that need to be addressed before you are a PERFECT candidate (if there even is such a thing!). Deliver your summaries to Kelsey Whitacre.
Job/Internship Fair: Attend either the fall or spring fair in 2020-21 (dates and location TBD). While you will scan your Eagle One card to enter, please visit three employers and bring materials from them back to Lucy Quann (Dean’s Office—Woodard 225) as proof that you spoke with them!
Attend a COB event fall and spring: Any event that will meet this requirement will have “The EDGE” mentioned as part of the recruitment. Students will either use their Eagle One card or sign out at the end of the event to meet this requirement.
3. Grow
Create a LinkedIn profile: The profile should be complete, with a headline and professional head shot. Information on the resume should also be on the profile. Once completed, link with Kelsey Whitacre, Dean Lynne Richardson, two business professors and one business alumnus (ask Kelsey if you need a name); also join the UMW College of Business LinkedIn page AND follow one professional LinkedIn group AND follow the UMW page.
Update resume and write cover letter: Identify a job for which you would like to apply. Write a cover letter for that position and meet with Kelsey Whitacre, bringing the letter and your updated resume.
Culture and Office Politics: Your attendance at the seminar will be proof. If you cannot attend, see Kelsey Whitacre for an alternate requirement.
Complete an internship: Either during the Develop or Grow module, you will apply to and complete an internship. Only one internship needs to be completed to meet The EDGE requirements, but students are not limited to only one!
Job/Internship Fair: Attend either the fall or spring fair in 2021-22 (dates and location TBD). While you will scan your Eagle One card to enter, please visit three employers and bring materials from them back to Lucy Quann (Dean’s Office—Woodard 225) as proof that you spoke with them!
Mentor and mock interview: Apply for a business mentor (see business.umw.edu); complete a mock interview with your mentor.
Attend Speed Networking: Register for and attend the College of Business Speed Networking event once this year. Your attendance will be proof of completing this requirement.
Attend a COB event fall and spring: Any event that will meet this requirement will have “The EDGE” mentioned as part of the recruitment. Students will either use their Eagle One card or sign out at the end of the event to meet this requirement.
4. Execute
Faculty member references: Ask two faculty members to serve as a reference for you. They should send Lucy Quann an email indicating you have done this.
Apply to jobs: To complete this requirement, you must apply to five jobs; for two of them, a UMW business alumnus should be employed there. You should contact the alumnus before applying for insights. Meet with Kelsey Whitacre to show her proof that you’ve both applied to five jobs and reached out to alumni at two of the organizations.
Etiquette event: Register for and attend either a UMW or College of Business sponsored etiquette event. Your attendance will be proof.
Compensation and negotiation: Your attendance at this presentation will be proof. If you cannot attend, see Kelsey Whitacre for an alternate requirement.
Financial literacy: Your attendance at this presentation will be proof. If you cannot attend, see Kelsey Whitacre for an alternate requirement.
UMW Exit Survey: Notify the Center for Career and Professional Development when you have completed this survey.
Exit Interview: Make an appointment and complete an exit interview with Dean Richardson. This may be done as early as four months before graduation.
Attend a COB event fall: Any event that will meet this requirement will have “The EDGE” mentioned as part of the recruitment. Students will either use their Eagle One card or sign out at the end of the event to meet this requirement.
