Stevenson University’s Office of Career Services will host its third annual “Steve Talks” on Oct. 28.

Jennifer Jericho, industry specialist for the School of Design, and Jacqueline Goetz, career services events and marketing coordinator, collaborated to organize the event. Jericho describes it as a School of Design event that aims to create networking opportunities for students and career options for the future.

STEVE TALKS BUILDS COMMUNITY

According to Jericho, this year’s theme is “building your community to further your career.”  Goetz explained that the event has garnered a positive response from students in the past, with   64 students attending the event last year. She added that even though the event is marketed for School of Design students, all Stevenson students can learn something valuable and are welcome to attend.

Jericho explained that students who network while in school are more successful and satisfied with their careers. These individuals graduate and seek out new communities in the workforce that share the same career background and goals. This allows them to meet new people, stay on top of current trends, and learn about career opportunities they would not have heard of otherwise.

STEVE TALKS CREATES OPPORTUNITIES

This year’s main speaker is Amber Atkins, head of talent acquisition at IBM Design. As head of global talent there, she said that her role is “to identify and develop resources that will help cultivate the talent IBM will need to shift the organization with design thinking at the helm.”

The event also includes a handful of speakers who have been successful in various industries. Each person will give a 10-minute presentation, and between each presentation is an activity in which students can participate. These activities help students practice and build on what they have just learned. In previous years, activities included answering difficult interview questions, building a personal brand, and representing yourself in 140 characters or less.

STEVE TALKS ENCOURAGES OPTIONS

Every year, Steve Talks focuses on what students need learn to succeed in their careers. This allows the program to stay on top of the changing workforce trends and introduce new skills for students to master. In the past, Steve Talks has focused on personal branding, finding opportunities that match a set of values, and getting internships.

The event tries to takes students out of their comfort zones and expose them to different professions.

“A lot of times, students get focused on one particular job role,” Jericho explained. “But as you move into the industry, you realize there are a myriad of different options.” Steve Talks creates a space for students to consider their career options in different industries.