Being career-ready means having the right skills, attitude, and habits to succeed in the real world of work. In today’s competitive job market, career readiness isn’t just a bonus — it’s the new standard. It’s exactly what employers are looking for, and it’s what sets successful candidates apart.
Are You Career Ready?
Get Career Ready with NACE Competencies
Stand out and launch your career with confidence! The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) has identified key skills called career competencies that employers across industries value most.
Why Career Readiness Matters
Being career ready isn’t just about landing a job—it’s about thriving in your career. Career readiness means having the skills, knowledge, and behaviors that help you succeed in the workplace and navigate challenges with confidence.
By developing these core competencies, you’ll set yourself apart from your peers and be prepared for whatever comes next in your professional journey.
96%
Employer Priority
Percentage of employers who rate communication as a critical competency when hiring recent graduates.
3.8x
Career Advancement
Graduates who demonstrate all eight competencies are 3.8 times more likely to receive promotions within their first two years.
73%
Skills Gap
Percentage of employers who report a gap between graduate skills and workplace requirements, highlighting the competitive advantage of competency development.
Your Next Steps: Get Career Ready with Suitable
WVU invites currently enrolled students to participate in Suitable, a career readiness tool that helps you identify and strengthen the skills employers value most.
You’ll reflect on your experiences (classes, jobs, internships, leadership, volunteering, research, and more) and receive feedback from supervisors, classmates, or professors to support your professional growth.
How it works:
- Complete a short self-assessment
- Invite an observer to provide feedback
- Track your progress over time
Together, these assessments create a record of your skills that you can use in your career portfolio.
Fill out the form to receive your personal Suitable links and get started.
Questions? Contact Erica LaRue at elarue@mail.wvu.edu.
Register for career and professional development courses for credit
To provide guidance and clarity to students that find themselves unsure about a major and career path. The course addresses freshman first time undecided about a major as well as students that have discovered that their initial major or career choice does not match their personal and professional aspirations. Students will be guided through a formal assessment of their personal characteristics, consider possible career choices and identify associated majors.
This course provides students with the information, resources, and skills necessary to begin building a strong foundation for career readiness and developing a comprehensive career plan. Students will explore the importance of defining career goals, creating effective resumes and career-related documents, and developing strategies for professional growth. The course introduces students to experiential learning opportunities, including internships, study abroad, leadership experiences, professional organizations, and service learning, while helping them identify opportunities that align with their individual career goals and development. Students will also develop essential career skills, including interviewing techniques, professional communication, and strategies to successfully navigate the job search process.
To provide students with knowledge, skills and the ability to successfully launch a comprehensive job search. Students will learn how to search for potential employment opportunities and to utilize the latest available job search resources. Understanding the importance of professional branding, career development, and financial planning to meet life-long goals will also be covered.
Additional Steps Toward Career Readiness
- Build Your Network– Connect with professionals through informational interviews, industry conferences, and online platforms like LinkedIn. A strong network provides opportunities to develop and showcase your competencies.
- Engage in Experiential Learning – Get involved in volunteer work, internships/co-ops, research projects, and student organizations to apply these competencies in real-world settings. Be sure to document specific examples that showcase how you’ve demonstrated each skill through these experiences.
- Enroll in the WVU Global Career Accelerator Program to gain field experience and certifications in high-demand careers while earning college credit.
- Seek Professional Development– Attend workshops on public speaking, critical thinking, and diversity. Take career assessments and work with your Career Development Specialist to identify your strengths and areas for growth.
- On-Campus Student Employment or Other Part-Time Job– Working during the academic year or over summer and winter breaks is a great way to earn extra income, gain valuable work experience, and start building your professional network. These opportunities can help you strengthen your skills and prepare for your future career. Take time to explore your options and choose what works best for you.
Start building your career readiness portfolio today by documenting experiences that showcase your competency growth. Visit your campus career center or log into Handshake to access assessment tools, workshops, and personalized coaching.
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