Career Readiness Summit to position graduate students for industry success
Published: Mar 13, 2024 9:15 AM
By Cassie Montgomery
Engineering graduate students bring a wealth of marketable education and experience to the table; however, determining how best to present oneself to future industry employers can be a daunting task. The task becomes easier with the help of the Auburn Engineering Office of Career Development and Corporate Relations (CDCR).
CDCR invites graduate students to join its team of professional career coaches alongside Auburn Engineering alumni and employers at the Engineering Graduate Student Career Readiness Summit, which will take place Wednesday, March 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Brown-Kopel Center Grand Hall.
“Graduate students must have opportunities to showcase their skills and proficiencies to potential employers, especially in fields like engineering, where there's a high demand for talent,” said Maria Auad, the Charles Gavin Distinguished Professor and associate dean of graduate studies and faculty development. “By providing a platform for students to demonstrate their capabilities, the College of Engineering is not only fulfilling its commitment to ensuring students are well-prepared for the workforce but also actively promoting its students to potential recruiters. This proactive approach can significantly enhance students' job prospects and contribute to their overall success.”
The summit will feature a morning of roundtable discussions on a variety of career readiness topics and conclude with an opportunity for graduate students to schedule a mock interview with visiting alumni and employers designed to hone interviewing skills and identify potential areas for improvement.
The day’s schedule is as follows:
10 – 10:45 a.m. | Welcome + Alumni/Employer Panel
10:50 – 11 a.m. | Career Readiness- Overview of NACE Career Readiness Competencies and ways to navigate implementation in the workplace
Marissa Miller | Assistant Director, Career Coaching + Programs
11 – 11:45 a.m. - Communicating with Confidence: Practice your Poster Pitch
Dr. Maria Auad | Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Faculty Development + Matthew Garnett, President, Council of Engineering Graduate Students (CEGS)
11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Lunch + Roundtable Discussions
Two 30-minute round table conversations alongside visiting alumni and employers, on the following topics:
- Application Material Refinement for Industry
- Practice your Poster Pitches
- Interview Preparation + Strategies
- Navigating Offers, Benefit Packages, and Negotiation
- Transition to the Workplace + Setting Expectations
1:30 – 5 p.m. | Industry Mock Interview Experience | Pre-registration required*
30-minute industry interviews with 10 minutes feedback
Registration for an industry mock interview can be made via CareerFair+. Scheduling will close on Tuesday, March 19 at noon.
To learn more about the event, or browse the wide array of career readiness resources and services available through CDCR, visit eng.auburn.edu/career.
Media Contact: , cmontgomery@auburn.edu, 334.844.3668
CDCR invites graduate students to join its team of professional career coaches alongside Auburn Engineering alumni and employers at the Engineering Graduate Student Career Readiness Summit, which will take place Wednesday, March 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Brown-Kopel Center Grand Hall.
