What Is LifeLab at the Center for Career Readiness and How Does It Work?

LifeLab is a drop-in space at the University of Arizona's Center for Career Readiness where students talk with a trained student peer about career questions, set a goal, and leave with one clear next step. It requires no appointment, runs Monday through Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in person or on Zoom, and you can return as many times as you like. It fits you if you're curious, unsure, or getting ready to apply for something — you don't need a finished resume or a defined plan to walk in.

What happens in a LifeLab conversation

The format is a friendly, low-key one-on-one conversation with a student peer "who's been in your shoes," according to the Center. The stated flow is:

1. Talk through your questions — bring whatever is on your mind about careers, majors, or next steps.
2. Set a goal — you and the peer identify something concrete to work toward.
3. Leave with one clear next step — for example, sending an email, signing up for an event, or updating your resume.

The point is a single actionable step rather than a full career plan. One student quoted by the Center described it as "1:1 interaction and non-judgmental conversation to talk through my interests and goals."

Who it's for

The Center describes LifeLab as welcoming to students who are "curious, unsure, or preparing to apply," and says it will "meet you where you are." That covers a wide range:

• You have no idea what you want to do and want to start somewhere low-pressure.
• You have a direction but don't know the next move.
• You're close to applying for an internship or job and want to check your materials or strategy.

Because it's drop-in, it also works as a first contact point before committing to anything more formal.

When and how to access it

To use it, show up during drop-in hours at LifeLab or join the Zoom session; no scheduling step is described. The Center also points to a LifeLab video for a preview of the space.

How LifeLab fits with the Center's other services

LifeLab is one entry point among several at the Center for Career Readiness. Depending on what you need after your conversation, you might be directed to:

• 1:1 Coaching — career advising appointments, in person or on Zoom, for more structured guidance.
• Internships — help preparing for a future internship or research experience.
• Handshake — the job and internship platform, described as free for Wildcats, for connecting with jobs, internships, and career support.

The Center encourages all Wildcats to build an internship plan and pursue at least one paid internship or research experience, and it offers a "Big 7" internship readiness checklist covering an online profile, skill-building experiences, a resume, a self-introduction, and interview and search confidence. A LifeLab visit can be a practical first step toward that checklist if you're not sure where to begin.

What to expect and how to get the most from it

• Bring a real question. The conversation is built around your questions, so a specific concern (a major decision, a resume you're unsure about, an application deadline) gives the peer something to work with.
• Expect one next step, not a full plan. The stated outcome is a single action, which keeps the visit manageable and gives you something to follow up on.
• Come back. Repeat visits are explicitly welcome, so you can use LifeLab at different stages rather than saving up questions for one session.
• Use it as a gateway. If your question needs deeper work, the peer can point you toward coaching appointments or Handshake.

If you want regular reminders, the Center also offers email updates tailored to your stage of career exploration, which you can subscribe to by selecting your interests.