What is the Center for Career Readiness at the University of Arizona?

Updated

The Center for Career Readiness (career.arizona.edu) is the University of Arizona's career services hub for students. It is the starting point for exploring career options, discovering a sense of purpose, and taking steps toward internships and jobs. It is built for Wildcats at any stage — whether you are curious, unsure, or actively preparing to apply. If you are a University of Arizona student looking for career guidance, drop-in help, or job and internship connections, this is the office to use.

Who it serves

The center is aimed at University of Arizona students ("Wildcats"). Its messaging stresses that it meets students where they are, so you do not need to have a plan already in place to use it. Services cover the full range from early exploration to active applications.

Core services

Service What it is How to access
LifeLab A welcoming space for a low-key conversation with a student peer about your questions and goals Drop in, no appointment needed
1:1 Coaching Career advising appointments In person or on Zoom
Internships Guidance on preparing for a future internship or research experience Through the center's resources
Handshake Platform to connect with jobs, internships, and career support Free for Wildcats

LifeLab drop-in hours

LifeLab is designed as a first, low-pressure step. You talk through your questions with a student peer, set a goal, and leave with one clear next step — such as sending an email, signing up for an event, or updating your resume. You can return as often as you like.

  • Hours: Monday through Friday, 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • Format: In person or on Zoom
  • Appointment: Not necessary

Internship readiness: the Big 7

The center encourages every Wildcat to create an internship plan and pursue at least one paid internship or research experience while at the university. To prepare, it offers the Big 7, an internship readiness checklist you can start on your first day as a Wildcat. Completing all seven steps is framed as doing everything possible to become a strong candidate, and covers:

  • An online profile
  • Skill-building experiences
  • A strong resume
  • A polished self-introduction
  • Confidence in interviewing skills and search strategy

Staying updated

The center offers email updates tailored to your stage of career exploration, which you can subscribe to by selecting your interests.

When to use this site

Use career.arizona.edu if you are a University of Arizona student who wants to:

  • Talk through career questions without a formal appointment (LifeLab)
  • Book one-on-one career advising
  • Prepare for an internship or research experience
  • Search for jobs and internships through Handshake
  • Get stage-specific updates by email

If you are not a University of Arizona student, the services described here are oriented toward Wildcats, and Handshake access is described as free for Wildcats specifically.