Junior year is the time students begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel. They're close to finishing college and venturing into the real world, but they're also thinking about developing or enhancing leadership skills, gaining career-related experience or preparing for graduate or professional schools.
The Junior Year Experience (JRYE) program at UT Dallas provides tools that will empower juniors to:
- Refine their educational and life goals.
- Prepare for their chosen career path.
- Further develop their skills as citizens and leaders.
- Further develop relationships with faculty, staff and other students.
JRYE initiatives include:
Cometline to Success – Destination: Graduation, a guide to help navigate the junior year.
Career Center – Information about seminars, networking events and expos, by way of an electronic newsletter.
The Student Success Center – Provides opportunities for juniors to be Peer Led Team Leaders (PLTL) or tutors.
Undergraduate Education – First Year Leader Program
Financial Aid Resources – Periodic handouts about financial literacy, occasional financial information in the JYRE electronic newsletter and website, and financial literacy sessions each semester.
Contact Us
For more information about JRYE, contact Kellie Hanford at kjh074000@utdallas.edu or 972-883-6147.
Destination: Graduation
The Cometline to Success is a guide to help you navigate your junior year. It is not all-encompassing or a required checklist. Integrate these suggestions as they best into your personal and academic goals.
Academics/Graduation
- Meet with your academic advisor for your 75-hour audit.
- Review your degree plan.
- Review your core courses.
- Improve your GPA.
- Submit your application for a fast-track program.
Taking Care of Business/Money Management
- Work with a financial aid counselor.
- Create a personal budget and review and update it regularly.
- Attend money management workshops.
- Determine your financial options for graduate school.
- Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in January.
- Check the UT Dallas scholarship website to determine your eligibility for institutional scholarships and third-party scholarships.
Career Planning
- Find and take advantage of opportunities to develop the skills employers seek when hiring graduates.
- Meet with a career counselor to discuss your career path and employment opportunities.
- Conduct a mock interview to practice your interviewing skills.
- Update your resume and have it reviewed by a resume editor.
- Establish or update your CareerWorks account.
- Attend a series of seminars designed to help you:
- Write a professional resume.
- Learn how to interview.
- Conduct an effective job search.
- Select graduate and professional schools.
- Attend Career Center networking events:
- Evening with Industry
- Build Your Network
- Resumania!
- Career Advice and a Slice
- Attend expo events:
- Graduate school expo – via the Career Center.
- Law school fair – co-sponsored by the Pre-Law Advising Office.
- Health professions expo – co-sponsored by the Health Professions Advising Office.
- Obtain an internship.
- Network for success.
Involvement and Leadership Development
- Participate in monthly service learning opportunities.
- Go on an Alternative Spring Break trip.
- Pursue the C3 (Certificate in Critical Communication Skills) Certificate.
- Apply for leadership positions in your student organizations.
- Attend leadership development workshops, retreats and programs.
Study Abroad
- Visit with a study abroad advisor.
- Apply for the International Education Fund Scholarship.
- Review the deadlines to submit Office of International Education protocol for future study abroad travel.
- Participate in a study abroad, exchange mobility or faculty-led customized program.
- Increase your foreign language skills.
Graduate School
- Investigate graduate/professional school opportunities.
- Register and pay for admission prep courses and tests:
- Review requirements and timelines; applications are typically due in December and January.
