SOJC Career Camp

Unsure how to launch your career after graduation? We can help with that. Learn how to navigate the professional world and prepare for a successful job hunt at SOJC Career Camp. This one-day conference offers professional coaching and hands-on learning experiences designed to strengthen critical soft skills that set job candidates apart.

Choose the sessions that interest you and spend the day getting career-ready. You’ll gain practical insights and guidance from SOJC alumni and industry professionals who’ve been where you are—and leave with skills you can apply immediately as you take the next steps toward kickstarting your career.
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Registration is free and open to all UO SOJC majors. You are not required to attend the entire conference, though we recommend going to as many sessions as you can to get the most out of the event. You are welcome to attend any session that interests you. Some sessions require attendees to sign up in advance due to limited seating.
New sessions will be added to the schedule as speakers and portfolio reviewers are confirmed. All sessions will take place in Allen Hall. A digital event program with room numbers, session descriptions, and speaker bios will be shared here before the event. Printed copies will be made available at check-in.
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Preliminary conference schedule:
9:00am: Check-In / Breakfast served (muffins, pastries, coffee, and tea) until 10am

9:30am – 10:00am: Keynote: Madilyne Nguyen-Acosta

10:00-10:50am: Session 1

• Mastering Essential Soft Skills: Slavka Eberhart-Garah
• Panel: Alternative Career Paths
  Panelists:
  -Hayden Kim (Journalism, '16) - Manager of Sales Programming at Bleacher Report
  -Marin Stuart (MA in Journalism, '21) - Marketing Content Coordinator for the City of Eugene
  -Casey Lombino (Journlism and Environmental Studies, '15) - Director of Marking and Communications at United Way of the Colombia-Wilammete
  -Polly Irungu (Journalism, '17) - Founder or Black Women Photographers and former Photo Editor for Fomer Vice President Kamala Harris
• Developing a Point-of-View: Deb Morrison
• Mock Interviews -
  Mock interviews are a great way to practice interviewing in a low-stake environment.
  Each mock interview will last about 20-25 minutes. You do not need to submit or being a resume to sign up for a mock interview. During the mock interview your interviewer will chat wit hyou about your career goals to set the stage. They will then ask you 3-5 questions that you might be asekd during a real interview. Your interviewr will then give you feedback and coaching. SOJC Academic and Career Advisors Vanessa Truelove and Hailey Nailor will be leading mock interviews.
• Portfolio Reviews - Advertising -
• Professional Headshots

11:00-11:50am: Session 2

• Your Story, Your Strength: Interviewing with Confidence: Emily Henkelman-Parker
  Turn your experiences—academic, professional, and personal—into compelling interview answers. This session focuses on building confidence, articulating your value, and telling your story effectively and authentically so you can stand out to employers. You will leave with practical strategies you can apply in interviews to show employers what makes you you!
• Panel: Finding Your Voice in Sports Media
• Mock Interviews -
  Mock interviews are a great way to practice interviewing in a low-stake environment.
  Each mock interview will last about 20-25 minutes. You do not need to submit or being a resume to sign up for a mock interview. During the mock interview your interviewer will chat wit hyou about your career goals to set the stage. They will then ask you 3-5 questions that you might be asekd during a real interview. Your interviewr will then give you feedback and coaching. SOJC Academic and Career Advisors Vanessa Truelove and Hailey Nailor will be leading mock interviews.
• Portfolio Reviews - Advertising -
• Portfolio Reviews - Public Relations -
• Professional Headshots

12:00-1:00pm: Break for lunch

1:00-1:50pm: Session 3

• Turning Scrolling into Strategy: Leveraging Social Media as a Networking Tool: Rachel Allen
  This session will show you how to use social media platforms you already spend time on to build genuine professional connections. Learn practical techniques for outreach, message crafting and active engagement that can turn into internships, jobs and meaningful relationships in media and communication fields.
• Portfolio Essentials: Maya Lazaro
• Career Resiliency: Symone Sparrow
• Creative Freelancing: Nickolaus Sugai
• Mock Interviews -
  Mock interviews are a great way to practice interviewing in a low-stake environment.
  Each mock interview will last about 20-25 minutes. You do not need to submit or being a resume to sign up for a mock interview. During the mock interview your interviewer will chat wit hyou about your career goals to set the stage. They will then ask you 3-5 questions that you might be asekd during a real interview. Your interviewr will then give you feedback and coaching. SOJC Academic and Career Advisors Vanessa Truelove and Hailey Nailor will be leading mock interviews.
• Portfolio Reviews - Public Relations -

2:00-2:50pm: Session 4

• Making Professional Conversation: Slavka Eberhart-Garah
• Telling YOUR Story With Your Resume: Annie Reiva
  The SOJC is full of great storytellers. This workshop will be about using those storytelling skills to strengthen your resume and ensure that potential employers understand the strengths and skills you have gained through past/present experiences. Bring your resumes (and your questions!) for this interactive workshop.
• Nailing Your First 6 Months on the Job: Lily Teague
• Mock Interviews -
  Mock interviews are a great way to practice interviewing in a low-stake environment.
  Each mock interview will last about 20-25 minutes. You do not need to submit or being a resume to sign up for a mock interview. During the mock interview your interviewer will chat wit hyou about your career goals to set the stage. They will then ask you 3-5 questions that you might be asekd during a real interview. Your interviewr will then give you feedback and coaching. SOJC Academic and Career Advisors Vanessa Truelove and Hailey Nailor will be leading mock interviews.

3:00-4:00pm: Networking Mixer (refreshments provided)
This culminating event brings together students, faculty, alumni, and local industry professionals for casual, low-pressure conversations to spark connections and confidence. Whether you’re new to in-person networking or looking to sharpen your communication skills, this is an opportunity to practice making small talk and conversing with established and emerging professionals.

Prior to the mixer, we encourage students to attend the 2pm session Making Professional Conversation, led by SOJC Pro Tem Advertising and Public Relations instructor Slavka Eberhart-Garah. This session will cover everything from small talk and introductions to navigating professional and relaxed social settings.

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Host or Publisher University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication