Exit Strategy Conference

The Exit Strategy Conference will be virtually and in person will be held the week of February 17th, 2025. The Exit Strategy program will feature a series of workshops focused on preparing soon-to-be graduates with navigating graduate school, entering the workforce, or whatever your “next” is. Workshops will feature a range of on campus resources and topics, including budgeting, negotiating your first salary, virtual interviewing, student loans, as well as a workshop for those who are still not sure what they want to do.

The event is co-sponsored by the

Register online for workshops – Exit Strategy Registration 2025

Conference Schedule

Browse all of the workshops offered during this four day conference and view the time, date, and location of each one.

Monday, February 17

Smart Money Decisions: Financial Tips for Now and Later

Time: 10:00 a.m. — 10:50 a.m

Location: BSC 225E

Being well-informed about your finances makes a big difference in life. Maybe you plan to buy a car when you graduate – should you lease or buy? What insurance do you need, and are you too young? Should you rent or buy a house? How are you managing debt? Plus time for Q&A about money questions that are on your mind.

You’re Graduating, Now What? Planning and Preparing for the Journey After Undergrad

Time: 11:00 a.m. —11:50 a.m.

Location: BSC 225E

The last semester of undergrad can be overwhelming. This workshop will provide resources to help students prepare and plan for life after graduation. We will discuss family obligations, professional aspirations, social life, and mindful practices to create a plan of action to make the post-college transition intentional and less stressful.

Adulting 101: A Crash Course to Being on Your Own in the Real World

Time: 2:00—2:50 p.m.

Location: BSC 225E

Coming out of college, you might think you know everything about living away from home already. What you might not know, is the nuances to setting yourself up for a successful adult life though. In this session, we will have a crash course in the basics about credit cards, car shopping, apartment hunting, and how to do all of those things responsibly, from someone who recently had to figure it all out on her own!

Tuesday, February 18

Marketing Your Student Leadership Experience: Planning and Preparing for the Journey After Undergrad

Time: 10:00am —10:50 a.m.

Location: BSC 225E

During this session, student leaders will learn how to leverage their leadership positions to help them accomplish their career goals. We will discuss transferable skills and how participants will learn how tell their leadership story.

Writing an Effective Resume and Cover Letter

Time: 2:00—2:50 p.m.

Location: BSC 225E

This workshop will review tips and tricks to building an effective resume. Cover letter format and strategies will also be explored.

Work Smarter, Not Harder: Job Search Strategies That Reduce Stress

Time: 5:00—5:50 p.m.

Location: Virtual – Register Online

Learn strategies to reduce job search overwhelm by staying organized with intentional systems. This session will include tips on how to organize and label your application materials using Google Drive, plan and track applications and interviews with Notion, and make decisions that will keep your process streamlined. Searching for a job is a big task with a lot of moving parts, so let’s talk about ways to make it a bit simpler. This session is geared for juniors and seniors.

Alumni Panel – How to Transition to the workplace/graduate school

Time: 6:00—6:50 p.m.

Location: Virtual – Register Online

Navigating the transition out of TCNJ can provoke anxiety and excitement. This panel of recent alumni will talk about how they have worked through the transition, provide insight on how they conducted their job search or graduate school selection and ways you can utilize your current skills at TCNJ to the workplace.

Wednesday, February 19

Life After Graduation: Managing Stress and Anxiety During the Transition from College to Career

Time: 11:00—11:50 a.m.

Location: BSC 225E

The transition from college to career can be exciting but also filled with uncertainty and stress. This workshop focuses on recognizing and managing these feelings while promoting mental well-being during this pivotal stage. Participants will learn practical coping strategies, explore mindfulness techniques, and discover resources to help ease the emotional challenges of post-graduate life.

Prepare for the Fair

Time: 1:00—3:00 p.m.

Location: Education Room 212

Interested in learning more about how to prepare for the Spring Career & Internship Fair or Education Recruitment Events-Come join TCNJ Career Center and Employer Partners to help you “Prepare for the Fair”! Have a quick resume review, learn about how to engage with employers at the fair, practice your handshake, etc! You can rotate through different stations or visit the station you want to learn most about. The event is 1pm-3pm in ED 212 on Feb 19, 2025.

Navigating Involvement on Campus: How to Make Your Mark from a Student Perspective

Time: 5:00—5:50 p.m.

Location: BSC 225E

Navigating the Generational Spectrum – Panel

Time: 6:00 – 6:50 p.m.

Location: Virtual – Register Online

Your future supervisor will likely be a proud card carrying member of either Generation X (born between 1965-1980) or the Millennials (born between 1981-1996). Want to get off on the right foot? Join us! Our panelists are going to cover tips on communication, corporate culture, leadership styles, workplace trends, future of work, and the ever important skill of managing up.

Thursday, February 20

Interview Strategies & Evaluating Job Offers

Time: 11:00 – 11:50 a.m.

Location: BSC 222

The workshop will provide strategies for the interview process, including common questions, how to prepare, and what to do after the interview.

Taking a GAP Year: Guided Action Planning

Time: 1:00 – 1:50 p.m.

Location: BSC 222

​Is taking a Gap Year right for you? Join us for this workshop where we’ll dive into what a gap year truly is, debunk common myths, and explore the potential benefits and challenges. You’ll gain insights into whether a gap year might be the right choice for you and leave with a practical worksheet to help you map out options tailored to your goals. Whether you’re seeking personal growth, career clarity, or just a break before college, this session will equip you with the tools to make an informed decision!

You Graduating Now What? Planning and Preparing for the Journey After Undergrad

Time: 2:00 – 2:50 p.m.

Location: BSC 222

The last semester of undergrad can be overwhelming. This workshop will provide resources to help students prepare and plan for life after graduation. We will discuss family obligations, professional aspirations, social life, and mindful practices to create a plan of action to make the post-college transition intentional and less stressful.

Leading Into Your Future

Time: 3:00 – 3:50 p.m.

Speaker is author of Leadership Is Overcoming the Unnatural. Final title TBD in the next week.

Friday, February 21

Grad School 101: A Pathway to Advancing Your Degrees

Time: 10:00 – 10:50 a.m.

Location: BSC 222

This event is designed to help students explore the graduate school application process. It will cover topics such as preparing for the rigorous application process, researching programs (and what’s best for you), writing strong personal statements, securing recommendation letters, preparing for standardized tests, and understanding funding options.

Cookies n’ Career Fair Prep!

Time: 1:00 – 1:50 p.m.

Location: BSC 222

If you plan to attend the Career and Internship Fair on February 26th you won’t want to miss out on this preparatory workshop! We’ll cover what you should do before, during, and after the Fair so you can land that job or internship! And, we’ll be offering some complementary cookies to sweeten the deal!

By the end of this session, you will be able to:

1. Describe the purpose and format of the Career and Internship Fair.

2. List at least three steps you can take to prepare for the Fair.

3. Create a networking “Elevator Pitch.”

How to Rock your Interview

Time: 2:00 – 2:50 p.m.

Location: Virtual – Register Online

An overview of every step of the interview process from finding a role to *rocking* your interview