During the spring semester, students juggle classes while also seeking internships and summer employment. While the job search process can feel overwhelming, students receive expert advice and gain professional skills at UR’s career conferences.

Robins PRO

Robins PRO provides students like sophomore Lia Adams with opportunities to stretch and grow — and conquer their nervousness.

“It was challenging to be interviewed in front of 20 other students,” said Adams, who participated in a mock interview, “but this definitely helped remove nerves later during real interviews with panels on Zoom and in person.”

The Robins School of Business launched the PRO (Professional Readiness Opportunities) Conference this academic year, building on the success of Q-Camp. Q-Camp's immersive approach is embedded in Robins PRO sessions, including networking, interviewing, and industry panel discussions.

Offered twice a semester, the half-day event is now woven into the curriculum. Students in the Business Communications class, generally sophomores, are required to attend the conference. More than 400 students attended the Robins PRO Conferences this year.

“Students enjoyed the fun, energetic, and informative nature of the event. The speed networking session was a highlight,” said Jonathan Adams, director of the Center for Professional Skills and Development. “Students appreciated the opportunity to meet multiple professionals in a short period of time.”

Students chose from a variety of industry panels, including finance, consulting, accounting, marketing, economics, and entrepreneurship. The panels offered  an insider’s look and opportunities to ask questions of those working in the field.

“Robins PRO was a great experience,” said student Lia Adams. “I met a lot of great experts while networking and was able to set up coffee chats, which helped land me my internship for this summer.”

Adams, an international business major who hopes to go into human resources, will be helping with new employee onboarding for Propio, a language translation company in Overland Park, Kansas.

Jepson EDGE

In 2012, alum Kate Materna Rezabek designed and led a two-part workshop for students called the Jepson Elevator Pitch. The workshop became a cornerstone of the Jepson EDGE Institute, which launched the following year.

“The Jepson Elevator Pitch is about helping students articulate the value of their degree in a way that's impactful, memorable, and concise. We teach students to lead with their 'why' so they can differentiate themselves from other candidates,” said Rezabek. “It needs to be tight enough to deliver in an elevator ride, but powerful enough to open a meaningful door.”

This year, Rezabek and fellow 2002 alum Matt Reinaker co-led “Refining and Practicing Your Elevator Pitch” session at the EDGE Institute. Other workshops included “Acing Your Interview,” “The Pressure Test: Navigating Situations at Work,” and “After Cap & Gown First Five Years Panel.”

Forty alums returned to campus for EDGE, including Benjamin Queen, a 2023 alum, who took part in the first five years panel. Queen remembers attending the elevator pitch workshop as a student. Back then, he was unsure of his career path and had difficulty creating his pitch. Then, he started talking about his work as a radio show host and operations manager for WDCE 90.1 FM, UR’s student-run radio station.

“The alum coordinating the workshop told me, ‘You light up when you talk about your radio work — you should lead with that,’” said Queen, who majored in leadership studies and minored in business entrepreneurship.

Today, he is a producer for the SiriusXM channel Pro Wrestling Nation 24/7.

A&S NEXT

More than 90 students attended the two-day A&S NEXT career conference. Students tackled real-world challenges alongside alumni and faculty.

First-year student Addy Gove worked on a group project for fenceline communities — neighborhoods near polluting industries such as landfill, oil refineries, biomass processing facilities, and power plants.

“I enjoyed the opportunity to dive into a topic I feel passionate about with other students who care in the same way that I do. I also really enjoyed having the support of alumni and professors working in the field,” Gove said.

“When we were creating our presentation, it was inspiring to see everyone working collaboratively and dividing up tasks based on our niche passions within the greater topic,” she added. “It was a good opportunity to practice presenting in front of peers in a professional setting.”

Elizabeth Soady in Career Services said 97.4% of students who attended A&S NEXT said they had met a new alumni, faculty member, or community partner who they would feel comfortable reaching out to in follow up.

“The students were reflective, intentional, and really made the most of the experience,” said Soady, the associate director of professional development for Arts & Sciences. “One of the participants shared with me that it was one of the best experiences in college so far.”