The Career and Professional Development Center will present 3 upcoming Career Ready Seminar Series programs. All are topics (life design, company culture, DEI) that we believe students, regardless of major or career goals, could benefit from hearing and learning more about. Furthermore, we are extremely excited to be bringing back 2 IUP alumni to speak with both Laurie Kuzneski and Je’Mone Smith each leading a session. As a reminder, the IUP Career Ready Seminar Series provides an overview of key competencies which impending graduates need to learn and develop to be successful as they make the transition from higher education into the professional world of work.
Title: Designing Your Dream Life – 6pm, Great Room, Elkin Hall – March 22, 2023
Description: Figuring out who you are, who you want to be, and what you want to do with your life is no small feat and something that people struggle with regularly. Join us for this informative discussion on design thinking and learn strategies to help you answer some of these tricky questions. Inspired by topics and ideas covered in the Designing Your Life book by Stanford professors, Bill Burnet and Dave Evans, and resources used in their popular courses offered through the Life Design Studio, this CRSS event will give you the tools needed to design a life that is authentic to you and adaptable for the future.
Learning Outcome: Participants will learn various tips related to life design and design thinking to better understand how to navigate their own career trajectories successfully.
Title: Company Culture – Why It’s Important and How to Determine if It Is the Right Culture for You and if You Are Right for It presented by IUP alumna and Trustee Laurie Kuzneski – 6pm, Great Room, Elkin Hall – March 27, 2023 (also a Six O’clock Series)
Description: Every company has a culture; some are well-defined and intentional while others happen when no one is looking. IUP alumna and Trustee, Laurie Kuzneski will discuss how culture-focused companies evaluate potential new hires as well as what job seekers should consider before accepting any job offer.
Learning Outcome: Participants will develop an understanding of how company culture shapes and impacts a work environment and gain knowledge about what job seekers should look for before accepting an offer of employment.
Title: Leading with an Inclusive Mindset presented by IUP alumnus Je’Mone Smith – 6pm, Room 225 Jane E. Leonard Hall – April 11, 2023
Description: Leading with an inclusive mindset is a critical part of being successful in today’s workforce. Join us for an interactive session with IUP alumnus Je’Mone Smith — a former professional football player with the Philadelphia Eagles, who has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology/Pre-Law and a Master of Arts degree in Labor Relations from IUP. During this program, Je’Mone will talk not only about diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace, but he will also dive into topics such as how teamwork makes the dream work, and the ways to communicate effectively in a complex world.
Learning Outcome: Participants will develop an understanding of how diversity, equity, and inclusion shape our personal and professional views and learn how they can translate experiences they have in college into the professional world.
