PrODUcing Tomorrow’s Talent
The ODU Career Summit is a drive-in conference that allows recruiters and ODU faculty and staff to interact, learn, connect, and engage. Now, more than ever, it is critical for higher education and the workforce to align as we prepare students for life after graduation through meaningful experiences both on campus and beyond. This conference addresses critical topics impacting college recruitment and career development and fosters engagement with the premier institution of the Hampton Roads area. This year's theme is Producing Tomorrow's Talent. The conference will feature various sessions to help our employers leverage ODU as a vital source for their talent pipeline and help our faculty/staff effectively support students' career aspirations.
On May10, 2023 we welcomed approximately 70 representatives from more than 40 companies and more than 50 faculty and staff to the inaugural ODU Career Summit. The theme for this mini-conference was PrODUcing Tomorrow’s Talent. Our phenomenal keynote speaker was Jason Kies, CPA. We had many presentations, breakout sessions and panels throughout the day.
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2023 Schedule
9:15 - 10 a.m. | Check-in
10 - 10:10 a.m. | Welcome & Introduction
- Matthew P. Cowley, Ph.D. | Director of Career Development Services
- North & Central Café, Webb Center
- Target Audience – All
10:10 - 10:45 a.m. | Keynote Address
- Jason Kies, CPA | KPMG
- North & Central Café, Webb Center
- Target Audience – All
10:50 - 11:40 a.m. | Engaging Students in Meaningful Career Conversations
Panelists
- Passion Studivant, Director, Student Support Services (TRiO)
- Jenn Grimm, Ph.D., Director, Leadership & Learning
- Erin Colwell, Director, Center for Major Exploration
- Dr. Aaron Arndt, Professor, Department of Marketing
- North & Central Café, Webb Center
- Target Audience – All
- We are all here to positively impact students’ lives but offering career advice can be daunting. How can we be sure that we are giving the right advice? We have brought together a panel of faculty and staff to discuss what students need to know as they transition into the workforce and what role we play in championing their success.
11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. | Lunch & Networking
- North & Central Café, Webb Center
12:50 - 1:40 p.m. | Concurrent Sessions
Navigating Monarch Recruitment
- Mary M. Smith, Ph.D. | Associate Director for Employer Programs & Development
- River Rooms
- Target Audience – Employers/Recruiters
- Who are the ODU Monarchs and how can you best attract them to your organization? Hear about the demographics that make up the ODU student population including highlights about the varied academic programs. And learn the ins and outs of recruiting activities at ODU and how you can enhance your recruitment plan.
Building Effective Internship Programs
- Whitney Lester | Senior Director of Talent Development, Hampton Roads Workforce Council
- Verlaine Quinniey, College Recruiting Manager, Dollar Tree & Family Dollar
- Alfred Posis, Talent Acquisition Business Partner – Campus, ADP
- SGA Senate Chambers
- Target Audience – Employers/Recruiters; Faculty/Staff
- It is widely accepted that effective internship programs build strong employment pipelines, bolster students’ career readiness, and help students to reconcile classroom learning with real-world application. But how does one build an effective internship program? This session is a facilitated conversation between two employers at different junctures in their internship program development. Whether you are just getting started or looking to take your program to the next level, this session will have something for you.
Leveraging CDS to Advance Career Readiness
- Jenna M. Rowlands, M.Ed., Ed.S. | Associate Director of Student & Alumni Programs
- Matthew P. Cowley, Ph.D. | Director of Career Development Services
- Hampton/Newport News
- Target Audience – Faculty/Staff
- Unsure how to assist students with their career development or how to engage with Career Development Services? During this session, we will provide information about our outreach, framework, career model, and how we can connect you to industry professionals. Come learn about the different avenues to engage and collaborate with CDS to help students achieve their career development goals.
1:45 - 2:35 p.m. | Concurrent Session II
What to Know About Recruiting International Students
- Samantha Koenig | Assistant Director for Student Programs & Career Commons Supervisor
- Daremoni Jones | International Student Advisor, Office of Visa & Immigration Service Advising
- SGA Senate Chambers
- Target Audience – Employers/Recruiters
- Global perspectives bring new and innovative ideas into an increasingly diverse workplace. Career Development Services and the Office of Visa & Immigration Service Advising supports 700+ international job seekers through career coaching, curricular practical training (CPT) & optional practical training (OPT) processes. Come to this session to learn about how you can incorporate these students into your workforce to take learning beyond the classroom.
Capitalizing on Handshake as a Student
- Travis Jacobs | Graduate Assistant for Career Development Services
- Autumn Casey | Graduate Assistant for Career Development Services
- Lauren McLennan | Graduate Assistant for Career Development Services
- Hampton/Newport News
- Target Audience – Faculty/Staff
- What is Handshake and why do my students need it? During this session, we will provide an overview of the Handshake platform and highlight the features that make it a powerful career development resource for ODU students. We will also talk about how you can use Handshake to support your students.
Strengthening Career Readiness Through Student Employment
- Lisa A. Moser, MBA | Associate Director for Experiential Learning
- River Rooms
- Target Audience – Employers/Recruiters; Faculty/Staff
- Student Employment affords students the invaluable opportunity to learn and develop the competencies and workplace readiness skills that set them apart and help them achieve career success. How can student employment positions be utilized as a bridge to career readiness? Faculty/Staff, come to this session to learn best practices for recruiting, retaining, and developing great student staff. Employers/Recruiters, come to learn about these enriching experiences that ODU students are adding to their resumes.
2:40 - 3 p.m. | Closing Charge & Drawing
- North & Central Café, Webb Center
- Target Audience – All