Advisement And Career Enrichment Services

Located on the first floor of the George, the Advisement and Career Enrichment Services (ACES) Center provides academic advisement and a host of services designed to develop undergraduate business students into career-ready graduates eager to apply their knowledge, professionalism, leadership, and experience. All business students with a zest for knowledge and the desire to apply their talents to the local and global economies receive services from a team of highly qualified advising and career services experts from the start of their very first semester through graduation. Services include:

Internships

Internships often lead to job offers and are facilitated by coordinated efforts of faculty and ACES. The JCBE maintains excellent employer-relationships with organizations across the upstate who seek to hire students for internships for project-based work. ACES staff plays an integral role in coordinating internships through for-credit enrollment in BADM 499.

Internships– Internships often lead to job offers and are facilitated by coordinated efforts of faculty and ACES. The JCBE maintains excellent employer-relationships with organizations across the upstate who seek to hire students for internships for project-based work. ACES staff plays an integral role in coordinating internships through for-credit enrollment in BADM 499.
- Firms: Draexlmaier, Denny’s Corporate, BMW, American Credit Acceptance, OTO Development, Johnson Development, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Milliken, Dixon Hughes Goodman, The Chapman Cultural Center, Spartanburg Chamber of Commerce, Hubbell Lighting, Crawford Strategy, Penske Trucking, ScanSource, Enterprise Holdings, Fastenal, LEL International, Waffle House, and TD Bank.
For-academic-credit opportunities
- Jesse Bridges Investment Society
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program
- Business Internship
Professionalism Series – Students are encouraged to utilize a variety of presentations, informational sessions, and workshops including resume and cover letter writing, career and internship fairs, mock-interview preparation, networking, dining etiquette, professional dress, and more.
Leadership Development – The JCBE has partnered with the BB&T Leadership Institute to offer the BB&T Emerging Leaders Certification. Premised upon the belief that “beliefs drive behaviors – which in turn produce results” the certification is offered to students each semester. During two half-day workshops facilitated by BB&T certified trainers and JCBE staff, the program provides students with the tools and strategies to build upon and improve their leadership styles. Students participating in the program are nominated by faculty.
Academic Support Services – free tutoring, supplemental instruction, intrusive academic advisement, and special sections of UNIV 101 for business majors are a few of the benefits afforded to students at the George.
- Student Success Center

Academic Advisement

Welcome! All students in the Johnson College of Business are assigned to an advisor. Students are welcome to schedule an appointment with their academic advisor on a regular basis.

First 45 Advisor – The “First 45” Advisor meets individually with all freshmen and first-semester sophomore business students for academic planning that goes well beyond course selection and degree requirements. The rigors of academic work, along with having increased autonomy and independence, can be quite a load for new college students to take on. This advisor actively promotes and encourages the use of academic support and other services that are vital to a student’s successful transition to college.
Transfer Advisor – JCBE has a devoted Transfer Advisor who truly understands the unique academic needs and career aspirations of students new to our college community. The JCBE serves a sizable population of student veterans, international students, and nontraditional students with credit from institutions across the globe. The Transfer Advisor is highly skilled at evaluating transcripts and knows the impressive breadth of community and university resources that often enables students to determine their most practical pathway to complete their business degree.
Center Director – Advises continuing business students who will have at least 45 earned credit hours and no more than 59 earned credit hours at the beginning of the next regular semester. Having an advisor who is dedicated to this population of business students ensures that students understand the admission requirements for the JCBE professional program and engage in one-on-one intentional conversations about career plans.
Faculty Advisors – With six different concentrations of study in the undergraduate business program, the JCBE matches continuing upperclassmen with discipline-specific faculty advisors for academic course planning and career planning that may include referrals to the JCBE ACES staff.
Find Your Advisor – Not sure who your advisor is? Learn more.
- Find your advisor via Self Service Carolina
  - Log in to Self Service Carolina, select Student, and then click Student Profile.
- Find your advisor via Degree Works.
  - Log in to Self Service Carolina and select Student. Select Advisement Planning and then click Degree Works Audit. Choose the USC Upstate campus. Your advisor (if assigned) will appear in the top block of your degree audit directly under your classification.
- Find your advisor in Starfish.
Make An Appointment – You must meet with your assigned academic advisor before you are permitted to register for classes each semester.
Commonly Asked Questions
- How do I schedule an advisement appointment?
  - Use your university email username and password to access Starfish and view your advisor’s availability.
  - Select the advisor name and a preferred meeting date and time.
  - If “no time available” is listed, contact JCBE Student Services for assistance.
- When does formal advisement occur each semester?
  - Fall advisement for the upcoming spring semester typically begins mid-October and lasts two weeks.
  - Spring advisement for the Summer/Fall semesters typically begins mid-March and lasts two weeks.
- How do I prepare for my advisement appointment?
  - Bring a copy of or be able to access your DegreeWorks audit
  - Review the Student Worksheet for the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in the Academic Catalog.
  - If a transfer student, have an idea of what classes you’ve taken at your previous institution. Make sure those classes are available on your academic transcript. If you feel you should have credit for a class that may not have transferred, speak to your department chair.
  - Prepare a list of questions and consider the solutions.
  - Have intentional conversations with your advisor. Discuss internship opportunities, study abroad, student involvement, academic concerns, course progression and considerations (minors, double major/concentration, etc).
Steps to take before changing your major:
- Do some research on your intended career field. Many individuals are drawn to Business because of the vast opportunities that exist, but there are also various disciplines to consider. Start exploring at the Bureau of Labor Statistics or CareerOneStop.
- Consider the cost. Review your financial aid status, current academic standing, classification, and expected graduation date. Adjustments may incur more than a monetary challenge.
- Speak to your advisor. Request a transcript evaluation to determine which courses from your previous major will count towards the business degree. Discuss a graduation plan and review professional program requisites. Students must meet certain GPA, credit hours, and coursework requirements in order to be admitted to the Johnson College of Business.
Advisement Resources