JSU hosts spring career expo to connect students with employers
Jackson State University hosted its 2026 Spring Career Expo Feb. 26 at the Walter Payton Center, drawing more than 300 students who met representatives from 77 private and public-sector employers in an effort to boost postgraduation employment.
“Preparing students for life beyond graduation is a responsibility we take seriously at Jackson State University,” Interim President Denise Jones Gregory said. “The Spring Career Expo strengthens the connection between classroom learning and meaningful employment by bringing our students face to face with opportunity.”
Employer partners helped prepare students in advance. Representatives from Lockheed Martin, Cooperative Energy, Continental Tires, Regions Bank, Southern Company and Georgia Pacific joined a Career Expo Prep Day to assist with resumes and interview skills. “For many of us, this is where the rubber meets the road,” said Chloe Nash, a senior psychology major who attended the prep day.
LaShanda Jordan, executive director of Student and Career Services and the JSU Career Service Center, said the employer partnerships “directly influence the employability of our students.” Forty students registered for the prep day, the university said. The College of Business also sponsored a separate CAPS event for business majors to provide professional development and networking opportunities, said Shelia Porterfield, associate dean.
National labor data and industry research underscore the focus on career readiness: the Bureau of Labor Statistics has identified technology and data, health care, business and finance and specialized roles among high-demand fields for 2026 graduates. ZipRecruiter Economic Research reported that more than 70% of employers required four-year degrees for entry-level positions in 2025, up from 55% in 2024. For more information, visit JSU Career Services or call 601-979-2477. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
