UVA Alumni Career Development Week

Inspired by our mission to empower alumni to plan, develop, and manage their careers for a lifetime by providing trusted, knowledgeable guidance and support, Alumni Career Services is excited to offer our third annual week of virtual career programming designed to support you on your career journey. Alumni of all career stages and career affiliations are invited to join us for four days of learning, discussion, and networking.

Session Times:

• Monday–Thursday, Session 1: 10–11 a.m. ET
• Monday–Thursday, Session 2 : 1–2 p.m. ET
• Monday–Thursday, Session 3: 3–4 p.m. ET

Overview of Career Development Week

Monday, November 10 (Resilience, Motivation, & Growth)

• Session 1: Welcome and Keynote, Intensity to Vitality: Flourishing in a Relentless, Uncertain World
• Session 2: Finding Joy Through Wonder
• Session 3: Your Next Step Isn't Going to Write Itself

Tuesday, November 11 (Applied Learning)

• Session 1: Managing Up, Down, and Sideways
• Session 2: How Is That Even Possible: Advanced AI Hacks for Every Professional
• Session 3: Bald, Bold & Hired: The Clear-Cut Truth About Job Searching

Wednesday, November 12 (Networking & Mentorship)

• Session 1: Network for Opportunity: Build Connections That Move Your Career Forward
• Session 2: Creating Impact: Building Strong Alumni-Student Connections through Mentorship and Support
• Session 3: Leverage Your Network for Meaningful Mentorship

Thursday, November 13 (Transitions & Pivots)

• Session 1: Designing What’s Next: Alumni Journeys Through Career Transitions
• Session 2: Paths Reimagined: Stories of Alumni Career Transition
• Session 3: Career Agility & Reinvention: How to Pivot, Grow and Stay Ahead

Session Descriptions:

Welcome and Keynote, Intensity to Vitality: Flourishing in a Relentless, Uncertain World

Monday, November 10, 10–11 a.m.

Our relentless world of demands, uncertainty, pace, and noise can be overwhelming. How do we allow for the honesty of being affected by life and still function and perform at a level we hope or expect of ourselves? And how do we navigate this pressure during important life transitions? This workshop explores evidence-informed strategies to flourish while managing absurdity and change.

• Welcome and Introduction of Speaker: Jess Hamilton, UVA Alumni Association
• Keynote Presented by: Kelly Crace, Executive Director, UVA Contemplative Sciences Center
• In Partnership With: UVA Contemplative Sciences Center

Finding Joy Through Wonder

Monday, November 10, 1–2 p.m.

In this session, we’ll explore how the simple act of embracing wonder can lead to a deeper sense of joy and fulfillment in both our personal and professional lives. By tapping into curiosity and a sense of awe, we can shift our mindset to focus on the beauty and possibilities around us, sparking creativity, fostering connection, and improving well-being.

We’ll discuss practical ways to invite wonder into your daily routine, from rethinking challenges as opportunities for growth to rediscovering the excitement in the work you do. Whether you're looking to reignite your passion for your career, enhance your problem-solving skills, or simply find more moments of joy, this session will offer tools to help you cultivate wonder and unlock new sources of joy in every aspect of life.

• Presented by: Mary Sherman, Employee Assistance Consultant, UVA Faculty and Employee Assistance Program
• In Partnership With: UVA Faculty and Employee Assistance Program

Your Next Step Isn't Going to Write Itself

Monday, November 10, 3–4 p.m.

Who are you and where are you going? The professional version of those questions is no less daunting than the existential one and as you progress in your career it's important to take stock. This session will help you ask the right questions, understand your motivations, and update your perspective so you can approach your career arc with openness, curiosity, and optimism, a first step to you taking the next step.

• Presented by: Donte Parks (Engr ’01), Career Strategist & Founder, Getting the Nod

Managing Up, Down, & Sideways

Tuesday, November 11, 10–11 a.m.

Effective communication is the key to success at every level. In this session, discover techniques to strengthen relationships with managers, empower your team, and collaborate effectively across departments. You’ll gain actionable insights to help you “manage up,” support your team, and foster cross-team collaboration for greater impact.

• Presented by: Andrea Devine (Educ ’25), Senior Director, UVA Volunteer Engagement, UVA Office of Engagement
• Presented by: Mary Lynn Musser (Col ’82), Associate Director, Cavalier Travels, UVA Office of Engagement
• In Partnership With: UVA Office of Engagement

How is that Even Possible? Advanced AI Hacks for Every Professional

Tuesday, November 11, 1–2 p.m.

Everyone knows that AI can write mediocre emails. But did you know that it can also help you hit your goals, impress your boss, and limit your stress?

As an OpenAI partner at Khan Academy, the author of the best-selling AI for job searching book on Amazon, and the official AI career trainer for 200+ schools around the world, Jeremy Schifeling has had a front-row seat to both the right and wrong ways to use generative AI since its inception.

So let’s focus on the right ways — the ones that will help you be better at your job and make your life easier — including:

• How to instantly analyze gigabytes of data - without your own Data Scientist
• How to create eye-catching presentations - without your own Marketing Designer
• How to develop your own AI bots - without your own Software Engineer

Presented by: Jeremy Schifeling, Founder, The Job Insiders

Bald, Bold, & Hired: The Clear-Cut Truth About Job Searching

Tuesday, November 11, 3–4 p.m.

Join two accomplished (and unapologetically bald) talent acquisition leaders as they bring clarity to today’s job market. They’ll break down hiring trends, reveal what really catches a recruiter’s eye, and share practical strategies to move your career forward with confidence. Whether you’re graduating, pivoting, or advancing, you’ll leave with fresh insights — and a sharper edge in your job search.

• Presented by: Patrick Payne (Col ’96), Founder, PopCandi
• Presented by: William Chichester, III (Col ’05), Talent Acquisition Leader

Network for Opportunity: Build Connections That Move Your Career Forward

Wednesday, November 12, 10–11 a.m.

Discover how to turn conversations into career opportunities. This session will help you define your networking goals, expand your connections, and confidently engage with professionals who can support your next move. Learn practical strategies, overcome common misconceptions, and leave with a clear plan to grow your network and your career.

• Presented by: Dani Abbott, Associate Director, Alumni Programs, UVA Alumni Association

Creating Impact: Building Strong Alumni-Student Connections through Mentorship and Support

Wednesday, November 12, 1–2 p.m.

Join us for an engaging panel discussion on the vital role of mentorship and support in connecting alumni with current students. Representatives of current UVA programs will share how alumni can become involved in building a supportive community that empowers students to thrive and prepares them to launch their careers.

• Introduction: Christian Garcia, Associate Vice President for Career & Professional Development, UVA Career Center
• Moderator: Art Fuller (Engr ’86)

Panelists:

• Kate Melton (Educ ’12), Senior Associate Director, External Engagement, UVA Career Center
• Jesse McCain (Educ ’24), Associate Director, UVA Public Service Pathways
• Jennifer Herrera, Managing Director of Online Education, UVA Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost

Leverage Your Network for Meaningful Mentorship

Wednesday, November 12, 3–4 p.m.

Join this interactive session to uncover how mentorship often begins with everyday networking moments. You’ll gain insider strategies for approaching potential mentors, connect with peers in your industry, and walk away with a personalized mentorship map plus a ready-to-send outreach message. If you’re looking to grow your career, expand your network, or become a mentor yourself, this session will give you the tools and confidence to make it happen.

• Presented by: Dani Abbott, Associate Director, Alumni Programs, UVA Alumni Association
• Presented by: Allison Lyman (Educ ’13), Director of Lifelong Learning Engagement, UMass Amherst Foundation

Designing What’s Next: Alumni Journeys Through Career Transitions

Thursday, November 13, 10–11 a.m.

Every career path has its twists and turns—but the most successful professionals don’t just adapt, they design what comes next.

The Career Design framework is the science of designing what comes next—grounded in resilience, motivation, growth, applied learning, and the power of peer learning, where diverse perspectives spark new ideas. In this session, you’ll get a quick introduction to that framework, followed by a panel of alumni who have navigated real career pivots after completing the program. They’ll share their candid stories, hard-earned lessons, and the strategies that helped them move forward with clarity and confidence.

Whether you’re considering a new role, re-entering the job market, or exploring a complete career change, you’ll leave inspired and better prepared to design what comes next with purpose.

• Presented by: Laura Marks, Mission Collaborative
• With:
• Elizabeth Chiu, COM '06, Principal UX Researcher
• David Scott, Col '03, TV Producer/Filmmaker

Paths Reimagined: Stories of Alumni Career Transition

Thursday, November 13, 1–2 p.m.

Hear stories from alumni who have successfully navigated career changes. They’ll share the challenges they faced, lessons learned, and the excitement of starting fresh. Whether you’re thinking about your next move or are just curious, this panel offers honest advice and inspiration for your own career transitions.

• Moderator: Laura Fleury (Col ’91), Founder/CEO, GenxYZen

Panelists:

• Leidra McQueen (Col ’11), Chief Executive Officer, Lynchburg Beacon of Hope
• Veronica Merril (Arch ’21, Law ’26), Legal Extern, Virginia Office of the Attorney General; Student, University of Virginia School of Law
• Mike Walker (Col ’89), SVP of Product, GlobalGiving

Career Agility & Reinvention: How to Pivot, Grow and Stay Ahead

Thursday, November 13, 3–4 p.m.

Careers aren’t linear anymore and that’s an opportunity. In this interactive session, you’ll explore trends shaping career pivots, hear stories of alumni who’ve successfully reinvented themselves, and join breakout discussions with peers to share ideas and strategies. You’ll leave with new perspectives, connections, and a clear action plan to navigate your own career growth with confidence.

• Presented by: Dani Abbott, Associate Director, Alumni Programs, UVA Alumni Association
• Presented by: Julie Sara Boyd, Executive Director, Hoos in Transition, UVA Northern Virginia
• In Partnership With: UVA Northern Virginia