What is Career Launch?
Career Launch helps UC San Diego students build career readiness skills, better understand their strengths, and prepare for future opportunities. Through assessments and guided learning experiences, students develop the confidence and skills needed to navigate their career journey. Career Launch is based on career readiness competencies developed by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) and UC San Diego.
Two Ways to Get Started
Career Launch includes two connected experiences designed to support your growth.
Career Readiness Inventory
Start with a quick, 15-minute assessment that provides a snapshot of your strengths across key career competencies.You’ll receive immediate, personalized insights to help you identify areas of confidence and opportunities for growth. This tool can be used multiple times throughout your time at UC San Diego to track your progress!
Launch Your Career Program
Take your development further with a structured, 8–10 hour learning experience. The curriculum is designed to help you actively build your skills, reflect on your experiences, and learn how to communicate your strengths while developing connections with professionals in your field of interest.
Launch Your Career Program is available during the 2026–27 academic year. Register now!
- Summer Quarter:
- August 14, 2026 (8am-6pm) in-person
- September 14-18, 2026 (8-10am) virtual
- Fall Quarter: No Sessions Offered
- Winter Quarter: Friday, January 22, 2027 (8am-6pm) in-person
- Spring Quarter: Friday, April 2, 2027 (8am-6pm) in-person
For Students
Start with the Career Readiness Inventory
By completing the Career Readiness Inventory, you’ll gain a clear snapshot of your current career skills and where to focus next:
- Discover your strengths across key career readiness skills
- Identify areas to grow and build confidence in your career journey
- Receive personalized insights to help guide your next career steps
Continue with the Launch Your Career Program
Take your development further through a flexible learning experience designed to help you actively build career skills and prepare for your next steps.
Through the program, you will:
- Reflect on your experiences and strengths
- Practice communicating your skills and accomplishments
- Learn strategies for building professional connections
- Develop tools to support your career goals
Register for an upcoming session
For Faculty, Staff, and Campus Partners
Career Launch is designed to complement and enhance existing programs, courses, and student services. The Career Center facilitates the Career Launch program, and campus partners play an important role in connecting students to this opportunity. Whether you’re supporting a course, program, or initiative, components of Career Launch can be integrated as a resource to help students build career readiness skills alongside your existing efforts.
Summer and Fall Quarter Schedule coming soon.
Get Involved or Learn More
Career Launch is designed to complement and enhance existing programs, courses, and student services. The Career Center facilitates the Career Launch program, and campus partners play an important role in connecting students to this opportunity. Whether you’re supporting a course, program, or initiative, components of Career Launch can be integrated as a resource to help students build career readiness skills alongside your existing efforts. If you are interested in incorporating Career Launch into your program or course or becoming a campus facilitator, please contact Megan Martinez-Montano, Assistant Director, Career Center at mmartinezmontano@ucsd.edu.