First Year Students

Start Strong: Laying the Foundation for Your Future Career

Your first year is the perfect time to explore your interests, build key skills, and set yourself up for future success. Whether you're still deciding on a major or already have a dream job in mind, we're here to help you start strong.

Goals for First-Year Students:

Explore career interests and academic pathways.
Develop key career readiness skills (communication, teamwork, etc.).
Start building your Accelerate South profile.
Gain early experiences like volunteering, job shadowing, or part-time jobs.

Suggested Appointment Types

Career & Major Exploration
e-Branding Review (LinkedIn + Accelerate South profile)
Resume Development (for part-time/summer jobs)

Click here to schedule any of these appointments in Navigate South!

Recommended Resources

Accelerate South
Big Interview
Focus2
Forage

First-Year Students: Accelerate South

Getting started early with Accelerate South helps you keep track of your growth from day one. By building your profile now, you can reflect on your experiences, discover new opportunities, and get familiar with the platform employers will be using to find students like you. Add your part-time jobs, volunteer roles, and campus involvement to begin developing your story.

FAQs – Building Out Your Profile and Experiences

▼ Q1: What should I put on my Accelerate South profile as a first-year?

A: Add any part-time work, volunteering, campus involvement, and class projects. It’s never too early to showcase what you’re learning and doing.

▼ Q2: Do I need a resume already?

A: Not yet! But starting one now means you’ll be ready for summer jobs, on-campus roles, or future internships.

▼ Q3: How can I explore career options on Accelerate South?

A: Use the career paths and resource library sections to research industries and learn what’s out there.

Here are some ways we suggest gaining some skills and making some connections in your first year here at USA:

▼ Getting Involved

One great way for you to gain experience and to become a part of the USA community is to get involved on campus! Whether this is with a student organization that matches your interests, joining an Honor Society for your major, or playing intramural sports, being a part of what is happening here at USA can help you build your network, expand your horizons, and open you up for chances to gain leadership experience.

To learn more about getting involved on campus, visit Involve South!

▼ Volunteer Opportunities/Service Learning

Volunteering and service work looks great on your resume, and it helps you give back to your USA community, too. Whether you need service hours for a scholarship, student organization, or if you just enjoy doing giving back, there are plenty of opportunities to volunteer.

To learn more about service, visit South Serves!