Ready Day 1 Certification Program

The Ready Day 1 Certification Program is designed to do just that by recognizing high-impact practices that you complete during your study at Georgia Southern. The certificate will identify you to potential employers as a graduate who has gained core career readiness competencies by completing activities such as internships, study abroad, sponsored research, participation in career and networking events, and one-on-one meetings with a Georgia Southern Career and Internship Advisor.

Colleges Participating in Ready Day 1

• College of Behavioral and Social Sciences

*Note: The college(s) listed above have prioritized this initiative for all of their students in their college. However, all students at Georgia Southern are encouraged to participate in the Ready Day 1 program.

How the Program Works

You receive Ready Day 1 certification by collecting 12 or more points during your undergraduate study at Georgia Southern. 

Three (3) Core Program Points

You must complete three (3) core program points, which can be satisfied through:

• Activating your student account in Handshake (1 point)
• Having your résumé reviewed and approved in Handshake (2 points)
• Meeting with a member of the Office of Career and Professional Development team by appointment or during drop-in hours (2 points)

Nine (9) or More Additional Program Points

You obtain the additional nine (9) or more program points by successfully completing:

• GSU 2131: Career Exploration (4 points)
• GSU 2132: Professional Development Seminar (4 points)
• A professional internship or other professional experience (4 points)
  • Recorded in Handshake and approved for academic credit OR
  • Recorded in Handshake and approved by the Coordinator of Experiential Learning
• A study abroad program (4 points)
  • Subject to university policy governing earned credits
• Faculty-sponsored research or participation in Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) (4 points)
  • Subject to university policy governing earned credits
• A Georgia Southern University-sponsored mentoring program (2 points)
• Attending an Office of Career and Professional Development career fair or networking event accessible in Handshake (1 point each, maximum 4 allowable)
• A job shadowing experience (1 point)
• A practice interview via Big Interview (2 points)
• An on-campus interview with an external prospective employer for an internship or professional position (2 points)

When you complete 12 or more points you will be awarded a signed Ready Day 1 Certificate as well as a Ready Day 1 graduation cord! We encourage you to record the completion of your Ready Day 1 certification in Handshake, on your résumé and on your LinkedIn profile.

How to Get Started

The Ready Day 1 Certification Program is an optional activity that you complete to document the critical career readiness skills that employers are seeking. 

Complete the Eagle Engage registration form to opt-in to the program.

Please visit Eagle Engage → Experiences → Certifications to update your career readiness activities as you complete them. Some activities will be automatically updated for you via integration with Handshake.

Last updated: 10/24/2023