The Exit Strategy Conference will be virtually and in person will be held the week of February 12th, 2024. 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
- Career Center
- Division of Inclusive Excellence
- Student Success & Retention
- Student Life
- Office of Student Financial Assistance
Register online for workshops – Exit Strategy Registration 2024
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 12
Writing an Effective Resume & Cover Letter for Your Next Steps
Time: 10:00—10:50 a.m.
Location: Education Room 212
Resume and cover letters are necessary tools in your job search. Both your resume and cover letter are the building blocks to any application, and are the first opportunity for you to share your skills and experiences with a potential employer. This workshop will review the basics in drafting your resume and cover letter, and how to make each document your own.
Penning Your Pitch
Time: 1:00—1:50 p.m.
Location: Education Room 212
This lighthearted session will be a tag team collaboration between the peer mentoring programs of the School of Humanities & Social Sciences and the School of Business. Participants will learn how to answer the question: “Tell me about yourself” with authenticity and confidence. We’ll explore not just how to write an elevator pitch but also how to articulate strengths, transferable skills, and our professional narratives. This is a class-level friendly session, geared towards students at all levels: First Year Students through graduating Seniors!
Not All Those Who Wander are Lost
Time: 2:00—2:50 p.m.
Location: Education Room 212
Still have no idea what you want to be when you “grow up”? Do you feel like, as a senior, you should have it all figured out and you don’t? Maybe all of your friends already know exactly what their next step is, or maybe you started college with one dream and realized along the way you outgrew it to make room for something else. This session is for YOU! Come learn about strategies to embrace the uncertainty and tips on navigating life after TCNJ.
Tuesday, Febuary 13
Navigating Politics as an Entry Level Professional – moved to Friday Feb 16 at BSC 216 at 11am
Time: 11:00am —11:50 a.m.
Location: BSC 216
As entry level professionals, we will discuss different ways to find a community or cohort to connect with, what priorities to accomplish within the first 4-6 months of a job, and what to be mindful of in a professional work culture. We’ll also discuss some in’s and out’s of working within a multigenerational work environment.
Your First Job May Not Be Your Dream Job
Time: 11:00—11:50 a.m.
Location: Zoom – https://tcnj.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMpdempqD8oE9EFvOb0UMCGWnzNZiZto8bR
Coming out of college and finding a job can be hard especially when the last few years are filled with aspirations about working in the industry of your dreams. But the thing no one tells you is sometimes your first job might not be your dream job. In this workshop, you will learn important tips and tricks to help you navigate the workforce post-graduation and learn that the skills you acquire while in college are transferable regardless of the industry you chose to work in.
Negotiating Your First Salary
Time: 12:00—12:50 p.m.
Location: Zoom – https://tcnj.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEldumuqz0qGNb5wMY2CW8zRoa_mWAa5QV-
Hone your skills with this interactive workshop, while also learning important terms used in the hiring process! Open to all years and majors.
How to Use LinkedIn to Leverage Your Leadership
Time: 1:00—1:50 p.m.
Location: Virtual – Register Online
In this workshop students will learn how to make the most out of their Internship experiences. Whether they have one secured for the summer or not, this program will cover everything they need to know to make a good impression and make meaning out of the experience. Tips covered will also apply to students seeking full time positions.
Marketing Yourself in a Virtual Interview – moved to Friday Feb 16th at 1:30pm at BSC 216
Time: 1:30—2:30 p.m.
Location: BSC 216
Though meeting in person has certainly increased, our need to create a virtual presence has also increased. This workshop will offer strategies on how to create a “WINNING” virtual presence during your interview process.
Design Your Life: Odyssey Planning Sprint
Time: 5:00—5:50 p.m.
Location: Virtual – Register Online
Design Your Life (DYL) is a global movement originating at Stanford’s D School to “navigate life’s ambiguity and design lives and careers full of joy and meaning through design thinking”. Join Shannon Conklin, director of TCNJ’s Career Center and certified DYL instructor, to get introduced to this framework and create your own draft Odyssey Plan, which includes 3 different plans for a 5 year period. Each student will explore possible elements of surprise that could throw off their plans, and thus the importance of having a Plan A, Plan B AND Plan C.
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.
Wenesday, Febuary 14
You Graduated – Now What?
Time: 10:00—10:50 a.m.
Location: Education Room 212
The last semester as an undergrad can cause students many emotions. Students have so much to think about that they can become overwhelmed. 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 less stressful.
Graduating With Student Loans
Time: 11:00—11:50 a.m.
Location: Education Room 212
The transition from college into the next phase of your life is more involved than one may think. This workshop will help you look at the overall big picture and provide ways to compartmentalize the process with the goal of thriving as a priority.
Answering the Question: Who Am I? The Power of Personal Branding
Time: 12:00—12:50 p.m.
Location: Education Room 212
In this workshop, learn how to identify your personal brand (what makes you, you), build a sustainable career around it, and answer the question “Who Am I?”
How to Say No
Time: 1:00—1:50 p.m.
Location: Education Room 212
This workshop will focus on learning how to say no in the workplace and outside world. There will be discussions about creating a balanced lifestyle and learning to prioritize your own needs. Navigating situations where one may need to turn down an opportunity or commitment can be difficult. We will discuss the appropriate and respectful ways to handle these situations.
Leadership in the Workplace – Starting Out
Time: 2:00—2:50 p.m.
Location: Virtual – Register Online
Hear from alumnus, John Hart, a former CEO and board advisor, about how to develop your leadership style and translate your undergraduate experience when you’re starting out in the workplace as an intern or entry level position.
Thursday, Febuary 15
From Clubs to Careers: Marketing Your Student Leadership Experience
Time: 10:00—10:50 a.m.
Location: Brower Student Center 225E
In this workshop, you will gain valuable insights on how to effectively showcase your club and organization leadership skills to prospective employers. This workshop w ill give you practical strategies to articulate your experience s so that you can demonstrate how these skills uniquely qualify y ou for success in professional endeavors, whether through resumes, interviews, or networking opportunities.
Understanding the NJ Civil Service and How to Apply to NJ Civil Service Jobs
Time: 11:00—11:50 a.m.
Location: Education 113 – Please Register in Advance on Handshake
Thinking about working in any NJ Government Job? Come hear about how to navigate the process and learn ways to increase your connections for opportunities with the State of NJ.
Health and Wellness During the Job Search and Beyond
Time: 12:00—12:50 p.m.
Location: Brower Student Center 225E
Closing your chapter of undergrad and embarking on the job search can be exhausting, daunting, and frustrating. Come to develop some self-care strategies to ensure you prioritize your wellbeing during this time and further down the line as you enter a new phase of life.
Prepare for the Fair
Time: 1:00—3:00 p.m.
Location: Education Room 212 – Please Register in Advance on Handshake
Interested in learning more about how to prepare for the Spring Career & Internship Fair or Education Opportunities Fair-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 among, 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 Thursday, February 15th.
GAP Year: Guided Action Planning
Time: 3:15—4:00 p.m.
Location: Brower Student Center 225E
If you’re planning to attend the upcoming Career and Internship Fair on Feb 22nd, then you won’t want to miss this preparatory workshop! You’ll get great tips on what to do before, during, and after the fair so you can make a great impression and land that job or internship! And, we’ll give you some complementary cookies!
Design Your LIfe: Odyssey Planning Sprint
Time: 5:00—5:50 p.m.
Location: Brower Student Center 225E
Design Your Life (DYL) is a global movement originating at Stanford’s D School to “navigate life’s ambiguity and design lives and careers full of joy and meaning through design thinking”. Join Shannon Conklin, director of TCNJ’s Career Center and certified DYL instructor, to get introduced to this framework and create your own draft Odyssey Plan, which includes 3 different plans for a 5 year period. Each student will explore possible elements of surprise that could throw off their plans, and thus the importance of having a Plan A, Plan B AND Plan C.