Mind the Gap
A virtual student conference focused on career and professional development
"Mind the Gap" is heard thousands of times each day in the UK Underground. The call is to remind passengers to be careful when leaving the tube as there is quite a distance between the train and the platform.
This phrase has also been used as a rallying cry to explore what's missing, what's not there, and what could be.
In an effort to provide improved access to our services, we offer a chance to choose your own adventure through a series of virtual conversations around career and professional development. The links below provide access to upcoming live presentations and discussions as well as previously recorded sessions. Select one or several topics and discover for yourself how to mind the gap.
This content is intended to serve students, alumni and others who:
• have yet to begin their career design work and would benefit from broad exposure
• have identified a career direction but would like actionable steps to maintain their progress
• have gained experience in their intended field and would like to learn how to express it on professional documents and through interviews
• are approaching graduation and interested in applying a bit more polish and another's perspective on their plans
• are interested to meet and network with their peers, alumni, staff, faculty, and employers on similar or related paths
- March 16
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TIME SESSION PRESENTER DESCRIPTION 11:30am - 12:15pm
Professional Documents Donna Cooper and Ashton Adams Powerpoint Presentation and conversation
12:15pm - 1:15pm
Professional Documents Donna Cooper and Ashton Adams Drop-in for conversation/questions 1:15pm - 2:00pm
Professional Documents Donna Cooper and Ashton Adams Repeat Powerpoint Presentation and more conversation
- March 17
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TIME SESSION PRESENTER DESCRIPTION 11:30am - 12:15pm
Interview Prep Donna Cooper and Ashton Adams Powerpoint Presentation and conversation
12:15pm - 1:15pm
Interview Prep Donna Cooper and Ashton Adams Drop-in for conversation/questions 1:15pm - 2:00pm
Interview Prep Donna Cooper and Ashton Adams Repeat Powerpoint Presentation and more conversation
- March 18
-
TIME SESSION PRESENTER DESCRIPTION 11:30am - 12:15pm
Job Search Donna Cooper and Ashton Adams Powerpoint Presentation and conversation
12:15pm - 1:15pm
Job Search Donna Cooper and Ashton Adams Drop-in for conversation/questions 1:15pm - 2:00pm
Job Search Donna Cooper and Ashton Adams Repeat Powerpoint Presentation and more conversation
Mind the Gap archives: January 12-15, 2021
Click on each date for details of the day's sessions.
- January 12
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TIME SESSION PRESENTER DESCRIPTION 9:30 Daily Preview Marc Holcomb Our host leads a discussion and activity to prepare you for the day's sessions.
10:00 Analyzing personal strengths and weaknesses Chris Cunningham Visit with Dr. Chris Cunningham (UTC Industrial-Organizational Psychology) as he shares how an awareness of individual strengths and areas of improvement can directly contribute to success. 10:00 Learning how a major becomes a career Donna Cooper From introductory courses to capstone seminars, Donna Cooper (UTC Center for Career and Leadership Development) will connect the dots between your academic major and your career. 10:30 Using the FOCUS2 assessment to clarify career path options Ashton Adams Oftentimes, the thing missing most in decision making is focus--join Ashton Adams (UTC Graduate Assistant/ Center for Career and Leadership Development) as she discusses this popular career assessment. 10:30 Developing a job search checklist Rob Liddell Managing your job search can prove to be the difference between success and trying again, join Dr. Rob Liddell (UTC Center for Career and Leadership Development) for help. 11:00 Setting and sticking to reasonable goals for the future Danny Grzesik Goal setting, coupled with a disciplined pursuit of your goals, is the surest way to realize your ambitions--get encouraged by Danny Grzesik (UTC Center for Career and Leadership Development). 11:00 Defining career readiness and its importance Marc Holcomb Join Marc Holcomb (UTC Center for Career and Leadership Development) as he discusses the career readiness competencies most employers are looking for in successful candidates. 11:30 Gaining real-world experience Bengt Carlson Students want to gain experience in areas of personal and professional interest, Bengt Carlson (UTC Think Achieve) will share how to gain real-world experience at UTC and in the community. 11:30 Producing high-quality resumes and cover letters Donna Cooper Visit with Donna Cooper (UTC Center for Career and Leadership Development) as she shares advice about developing winning professional documents. 11:30 Build a network of personal and professional connections Rob Liddell The relationships we build and grow with others will directly contribute to the quality of our lives--join Dr. Rob Liddell (UTC Center for Career and Leadership Development) to discuss. 12:00 Daily Debrief Marc Holcomb Our host leads a discussion to review what you learned during the day's sessions. - January 13
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TIME SESSION PRESENTER DESCRIPTION 9:30 Daily Preview Danny Grzesik Our host leads a discussion and activity to prepare you for the day's sessions.
10:00 Navigating applicant tracking systems Chris Cunningham Dr. Chris Cunningham (UTC Industrial-Organizational Psychology) will lead a conversation about applicant tracking systems and ways to optimize your materials for success. 10:00 Understanding transferable skills and how to talk about them Donna Cooper Donna Cooper (UTC Center for Career and Leadership Development) will guide you through a conversation about how skills can transfer from one role into the next. 10:00 Completing a job application Endia Butler After gaining experience and qualifying for a position, join Endia Butler (UTC Financial Aid & Scholarships) as she points out common pitfalls in completing job applications. 10:30 Creating a LinkedIn profile Marc Holcomb Visit with Marc Holcomb (UTC Center for Career and Leadership Development) as he offers advice for setting up and optimizing your individual LinkedIn profile for professional networking. 10:30 Identifying the various types of interviews Shunyale Griffin (BCBST) Employer partner, Shunyale Griffin (BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee) will talk about various interview settings and how to stand out as a strong candidate. 11:00 Keeping track of job applications during the job search Ashton Adams Visit with Ashton Adams (UTC Graduate Assistant/Center for Career and Leadership Development) as she identifies helpful organizational strategies to manage your job search. 11:00 Understanding the path from entry-level work to the dream job Lauren Shuler (Unum) Employer partner, Lauren Shuler (Unum) will host a conversation about how successful entry-level employment can prepare candidates for advancement into greater career impact. 11:30 Establishing a professional identity Makaylah Ariazi (HHM) Employer partner, Makaylah Ariazi (Henderson Hutcherson & McCullough/HHM CPAs) will host a discussion about building and delivering on a personal brand and professional identity. 11:30 Essential elements of well-being Lauren Burns Visit with Lauren Burns (UTC Center for Student Wellbeing) as she discusses the interplay of various components of well-being and how they contribute to personal achievement and success. 12:00 Daily Debrief Danny Grzesik Our host leads a discussion to review what you learned during the day's sessions. - January 14
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TIME SESSION PRESENTER DESCRIPTION 9:30 Daily Preview Marc Holcomb Our host leads a discussion and activity to prepare you for the day's sessions.
10:00 Informational interviews as a networking tool Ashton Adams Learn how informational interviews can lead to deeper connections and possible recommendations for interesting roles with Ashton Adams (UTC Graduate Assistant/ Center for Career and Leadership Development). 10:00 Tackling tricky interview questions Donna Cooper Before you respond to an interview question be sure you understand what you are being asked--Donna Cooper (UTC Center for Career and Leadership Development) will guide you to and through several tricky questions. 10:30 Staying involved with UTC as an alum Andrea Lyons One of your greatest networking strengths is your alma mater; join Andrea Lyons (UTC Alumni Relations) in a spirited conversation about staying active and engaged with UTC after graduation. 10:30 Self-care in the workplace Jaclyn York and RCOB Dean's SAC Make plans to join McKenzi Morgan and Varsha Kommeradi (Rollins College of Business Dean's Student Advisory Council members) as they discuss essential aspects of practicing self-care in the workplace. 11:00 Responsible use of social media and communication platforms Marc Holcomb Marc Holcomb (UTC Center for Career and Leadership Development) will lead a discussion about how using social media and other communication platforms can power your career work while pointing out common pitfalls. 11:00 Decoding and diagramming the job description Rob Liddell Visit with Dr. Rob Liddell (UTC Center for Career and Leadership Development) as he helps to decode job descriptions and then how to align your candidate materials accordingly. 11:30 Considering graduate school as a possible next step Ashton Adams Draw from Ashton Adams (UTC Graduate Assistant/ Center for Career and Leadership Development) and her decision to pursue graduate school immediately after her undergraduate degree. 11:30 Using LinkedIn to grow professional connections Lyndsay Sneckenberger (TVA) Employer partner, Lyndsay Sneckenberger (Tennessee Valley Authority) is skilled at connecting with others; join her to discover how she uses LinkedIn to grow professional connections. 12:00 Daily Debrief Marc Holcomb Our host leads a discussion to review what you learned during the day's sessions. - January 15
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TIME SESSION PRESENTER DESCRIPTION 9:30 Daily Preview Danny Grzesik Our host leads a discussion and activity to prepare you for the day's sessions.
10:00 Budget Basics Sarah Edgar Join Sarah Edgar (UTC Financial Aid & Scholarships) as she leads a conversation about financial wellness including building credit, managing debt, and becoming a strong resource manager. 10:30 Defining professional development Lisa Piazza and Marc Holcomb Join Dr. Lisa Piazza (UTC Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavors) and Marc Holcomb (UTC Center for Career and Leadership Development) as they discuss diverse ways students can develop into emerging professionals. 10:30 Deciding between job offers Mo Ali (ACA) Employer partner, Mo Ali (ACA Compliance Group) is hosting a high-impact discussion about the factors he considers when deciding between multiple offers. 11:00 First day on the job Endia Butler Visit with Endia Butler (UTC Financial Aid & Scholarships) as she discusses starting well from the first day on the job including communicating with others and navigating office dynamics. 11:00 Negotiating salaries and benefits Jenelle Hawkins (Vision Hospitality) Employer partner, Jenelle Hawkins (Vision Hospitality) will host a conversation about how, when, and why to negotiate salaries and benefits; don't miss this helpful session! 11:30 Networking during a pandemic Jaclyn York and RCOB Dean's SAC Make plans to join Rachel Ruano and Jordan Camp (Rollins College of Business Dean's Student Advisory Council members) as they share strategies to networking during the pandemic and at social distance. 12:00 Daily Debrief Danny Grzesik Our host leads a discussion to review what you learned during the day's sessions.
Please contact the Center for Career at Leadership Development at 423-425-4184 or [email protected] if you need special accommodations for events.