The Career Brand Toolkit is a collection of self-paced modules (each taking 30-60 minutes to complete) designed to help students explore who they are, clarify what they offer to the workforce, and communicate their value to employers. Each module focuses on a different piece of the student's career brand—such as self-awareness, networking, documents, interviewing, and professionalism—and includes practical activities, AI-supported practice, and action steps you can use right away.
Faculty - these modules have been created with you in mind! Here are three ways you can incorporate them into your classes:
- Non-credit information: simply add the link to your syllabus or Canvas course and let students know about these self-paced modules that are available to help them with their career education.
- Course assignment for credit: add the link to your course, choose the module you want your students to complete and create the assignment. It's that easy! When a student completes the module, they will have a completion page they can download or screenshot to upload into your course to prove they finished the module. No need for you to grade anything!
- Module activities for credit: add the link to your course, choose the module you want your students to complete AND the related module activities that are embedded. Modules allow students to copy/download all activities to their own computers for completion which can be submitted to you for grading.
Description: this module is all about something many students don’t pause long enough to do: truly get to know yourself— not just as a student, but as a future professional. You don’t need to have everything figured out yet. In fact, you’re not supposed to. That’s why this experience exists. The module will guide you through a series of reflections and mini-explorations designed to help you:
- Identify what matters most to you — your values
- Recognize what motivates you — your interests
- Clarify what you’re naturally good at — your skills and strengths
- Start connecting who you are with where you might want to go
Description: This module guides you through a structured process of self-discovery designed to help you better understand what energizes you, what drains you, and how those insights can inform confident academic and career decisions. Rather than asking you to choose a single “right” path, this lesson helps you recognize patterns in your interests, values, strengths, and energy so you can make choices that feel more aligned and intentional. This module will:
- You will begin by identifying moments of joy, flow, and engagement through reflection activities and the Good Time Journal, learning to distinguish between energy-giving and energy-draining experiences.
- The module then expands outward to explore purposeful work—where what you’re good at, what energizes you, and how you help others intersect.
Description: this module is all about learning how to talk to real professionals in the real world — without feeling awkward, fake, or unprepared.
You’ll discover:
- Why networking isn’t about collecting business cards or being extroverted — it’s about building relationships.
- How to build a LinkedIn presence that actually helps people find you.
- How to reach out to alumni, faculty, employers, and professionals — even if you have zero connections right now.
- How to run an informational interview like a pro — from your first message to your follow-up.
- How to map your current network and identify who you’re missing.
Description: this module is all about figuring out what's standing between you and your career goals — and how to close that gap. Think of it like a map: you know your destination, but to reach it efficiently, you need to see the roads, obstacles, and shortcuts along the way. That’s exactly what this module will help you do.
In this module, we’ll help you:
- Identify your gaps — the skills, knowledge, and experiences you need to pursue your career goals.
- Research your career path — using AI to gather insights about roles, requirements, and alternatives.
- Create a plan — a realistic, actionable 6–24 month roadmap to close your gaps, strengthen your brand, and connect with the right people.
Description: building a meaningful career starts with clarity. This module will help you move from general goals like “I just want a job” to a focused, flexible action plan that reflects who you are and where you want to go. You’ll explore what you enjoy doing, the industries and organizations that align with your skills and interests, and the locations or work settings that fit your lifestyle. By the end, you’ll have a personalized target list of companies—and a clear roadmap to guide your next career steps.
In this module, we’ll help you:
- Identify your gaps — the skills, knowledge, and experiences you need to pursue your career goals.
- Research your career path — using AI to gather insights about roles, requirements, and alternatives.
- Create a plan — a realistic, actionable 6–24 month roadmap to close your gaps, strengthen your brand, and connect with the right people.
Description: professionalism is more than showing up on time — it’s about how you communicate, collaborate, and take responsibility in the workplace. This course helps you define your professional identity, understand what employers expect, and apply practical strategies to thrive in any work environment.
In this module, we’ll help you understand:
- Professionalism is about how you show up, communicate, and interact at your internship.
- Being intentional about communication, initiative, and relationships can accelerate your career development.
- AI can help you think through scenarios, draft communication plans, and reflect on your decisions.
Description: in this module, you’ll be using AI as a tool to help you tell your story, strengthen your messaging, and communicate your skills effectively. Think of AI as your personal career assistant — it can help you:
- Examine your resume bullets and suggest ways to make them clearer and more results-focused.
- Review your cover letter to ensure it highlights your skills and experiences for your target role.
- Refine your LinkedIn profile to show your unique strengths and professional brand.
Description: this module is designed to help you take everything you’ve learned about yourself and organize it into a cheat sheet you can actually use. You’ll practice sharing your strengths, shaping your experiences into stories, and speaking about your goals in a clear and confident way.
- You’ll also get introduced to the most common types of interviews—screening, behavioral, case, and technical
- You’ll use AI tools to practice answering questions, get feedback, and refine your message.
- By the end, you’ll walk away with a personalized interview prep sheet you can pull up anytime you need to prepare or practice.
Description: your college courses build knowledge — but employers, grad schools, and professional networks look for something more: proof that you can apply what you know. That’s where internships, projects, leadership roles, micro-experiences, and community or campus involvement come in. This module will help you plan how to get skills and experience while at Charlotte.
This isn’t “just an internship.” It’s a chance to test-drive your interests, build real skills, and start shaping how people see you as a professional. In this module, we’ll slow down and get intentional about what this experience can do for your career. You’ll think about how your internship connects to your major, your strengths, and your future goals—and you’ll walk away with a clear set of intentions for how you want to show up. Complete these modules before your internship begins.
- Module 1: What This Internship Can Do for Your Career
- Module 2: Career Skills in the Workplace
The first couple of weeks can set the tone for your entire internship. This module is about starting strong: clarifying what’s expected of you, building a positive relationship with your supervisor, and getting to know the people and culture around you. You’ll also learn how to spot professional development opportunities so you’re not just “showing up,” but actually growing. Complete this module within the first 1-2 weeks of your internship.
- Module 3: Starting Strong – Expectations, Relationships, and Opportunities
Once you’ve settled in, the goal is not just to “get through” your internship—it’s to make it count. In this module, you’ll learn how to keep communication flowing with your supervisor, continue building skills and relationships, and start thinking about what comes next. You’ll also begin turning your internship experience into resume bullets, LinkedIn content, and interview stories that reflect your growth. Complete this module around the middle of your internship.
- Module 4: Maximizing Your Internship & Looking Ahead