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Welcome to the Mays Center for Experiential Learning and Community Engagement! Our staff is dedicated to helping students fulfill their career goals and be engaged in their communities. We offer a variety of resources to assist students in choosing and preparing for their careers, applying to graduate school, locating volunteer opportunities, learning job search skills, and finding successful employment opportunities. Please browse our website for resources to help your student be successful beyond college.
Family FAQs
What can I do to help my student?
Some ways you can support your student without coming across as forceful include:
- Help them define success, whether it’s working for a non-profit, going on to graduate school, or becoming a CEO
- Support their vision and be patient as they explore their options
- Reinforce career skills by modeling business etiquette and making yourself available to answer questions, provide advice, and encourage
- Ask open-ended questions to keep a conversation going
- Encourage your student to become involved both on- and off-campus through joining clubs, attending career fairs, volunteering, and more
- Encourage your student to visit the Career Services Office if they have questions regarding their future, their major, career options, or how to apply to graduate school; we’ll help with exploration, resume creation, and more!
My student keeps going back and forth between two majors; what should I do?
You can help your student think through majors and their corresponding career choices. Please encourage them to complete the Focus2 career assessment and schedule an appointment with a career advisor to discuss their interests and goals. Remind your student that they can double major or add a minor if they are stuck. We recommend that students choose a major by the end of their sophomore year of college to focus on taking the upper-level courses that correspond to their degree track.
Can any student attend on-campus career events?
Yes! Any current students and alumni (up to one year from graduation) are welcome to attend any events hosted by the Mays Center. All our events are free, and students get additional perks for attending, like free professional headshots, food, networking opportunities, and job leads.
What your student should be doing as a...
Freshman
Explore your interests
- Adjust to college life and develop a routine
- Develop good study habits and earn good grades (continue this habit throughout college!)
- Become familiar with JagWire at jagwire.tamusa.edu and check your school email regularly
- Get to know your professors and advisor; they may eventually serve as references and it’s good to build a great relationship from the start
- Stop by Career Services to familiarize yourself with the services and resources available
- Take the Focus 2 career assessment
- Schedule an appointment with a career advisor to explore your major and career options; learn which careers are best suited to your personality and interests
- Utilize virtual career resources
- Begin gathering information on careers you are interested in pursuing
- Look into part-time or summer jobs
- Learn about student activities and get involved on campus; find a full list of opportunities at
- Develop your writing and computer skills
- Create your initial resume with the help of Career Services
- Take elective courses outside of your major to explore a range of options
- Gain experience through volunteer opportunities
- Develop a positive, professional online presence
- Seek out help if you need it, before you really need it; A&M-SA offers tutoring, disability services, counseling, and much more
Sophomore
Gain experience
- If you haven’t already, get involved on campus through clubs, student activities, honor societies, and more
- Explore career interests through volunteering or part-time jobs
- Identify specific career interests and research required qualifications
- Investigate the employment outlook for your career options
- Examine your academic major and how it relates to your desired career
- Attend career fairs and workshops hosted by Career Services
- Develop a good work ethic and other soft skills that employers seek, such as communication, organization, and team work
- Continue to add items to your resume - keep an ongoing list of projects, activities, honors, memberships, etc. to use on your resume or discuss in an interview
- Look into student employment options
- Research employers in your career fields of interest
- Have a Career Advisor critique your resume
- Upload your resume on Jaguar Jobs
- If you haven’t yet, declare a major
- Develop a LinkedIn profile and start learning more about careers in which you are interested
Junior
Focus your plans
- Update your resume if you haven’t recently
- Obtain an internship or other career-related experience to gain professional skills
- Update your LinkedIn profile and follow specific employers and industries in which you are interested
- Compile information on employers who hire in your field
- Learn how to write effective cover letters
- Meet with your faculty advisor; review academic progress and your projected graduation date
- Develop your interviewing skills by completing a mock interview
- Network with professionals, employers, alumni, and friends regarding professional career advice
- Conduct informational interviews for insight about your career choice
- Begin building your professional wardrobe
- Determine if graduate school would be beneficial in helping you reach your career goals; if so, research schools and requirements
- Practice your elevator speech and networking skills
- Begin serving in leadership roles in student organizations and/or professional associations
- Cultivate your online brand through social media
- Begin building a portfolio if your career will require one - some employers will want to see examples of your creative work, lesson plans, research projects, etc.
Senior
Launch your new career
- Contact a Career Advisor to ensure your resume and cover letter are tailored for a professional job search
- Network with recruiters at jobs fairs and information sessions
- Seriously: network, network, network!
- Follow up with employers and thank them for their time and consideration
- Develop a job search strategy; a career advisor can help you come up with a plan
- Research employers and salary ranges in the area you want to work
- Ask professors and supervisors to act as your references; discuss your plans with them
- If graduate school is in your future, take graduate admission tests and apply to graduate programs
- Join professional organizations focused on your career choice
- Apply for jobs (or academic programs) now; don’t wait until graduation to apply for a full-time job!
- Remain open to the idea that many first jobs are entry level and serve as a starting point for you to showcase your skills and value and help you move into a more ideal position
- Stay connected with Texas A&M-San Antonio and let us know you successfully found a job!
- Remember, Career Services is here to assist you if you are having trouble or getting frustrated with the job search process