Join us for a morning networking session over breakfast, where you can also get professional headshots taken. Sign up for a slot to enhance your professional profile with a high-quality photo. Slots are limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to register early to secure your spot. Don’t miss this opportunity!

This session will empower you to see yourself as a leader now, not later, and show how confidence, initiative, and growth mindset can shape your journey.

By the end of this session, scholars will be able to:

• Recognize leadership qualities that employers value in early-career professionals.

• Understand how to develop and demonstrate leadership through school, internships, and service.

• Gain motivation from a real-life leadership journey and apply key takeaways to their own goals.

• Reflect on their unique strengths and how to position them during job and internship interviews.

This is a break for scholars to walk over to the breakout sessions and grab some snacks and or any bathroom breaks.

Landing the Opportunity: Internship & Job Search Strategies for Students and Recent Grads

Searching for internships or jobs after college can feel frustrating especially when you’re not hearing back. This session, led by Tom Moore, co-founder of ROCS Grad Staffing, will provide students and recent grads with practical tools to find opportunities, strengthen applications, and build a strong network. We’ll also discuss how to stay motivated and resilient through rejections and delays, helping you move forward with confidence.

Tom launched ROCS at age 19 while a full-time student at George Mason University. Under his leadership, ROCS earned a spot on the Inc. 500 list for three consecutive years and continues to place top emerging talent across the DC Metro Area.

He holds a B.A. in Government and International Politics with a minor in Business from George Mason University.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, scholars will be able to:

• Identify effective strategies for finding internships and entry-level job opportunities.

• Understand how to tailor a resume and cover letter for specific roles.

• Learn the importance of networking and how to leverage campus resources, LinkedIn, and alumni connections.

• Develop techniques for staying positive and resilient during the job search, especially when facing rejection or delays in hearing back.

• Create a simple action plan to stay organized, motivated, and focused on long-term career goals.

How to Effectively Use AI in Career

Learning Objectives:

• Develop the awareness and understanding that one's subsequent step post-education does not always necessitate an immediate commitment to a specific career path.

• Gain an in-depth understanding of the various post-undergraduate school options available.

• Explore the value and relevance of obtaining certificates during the transitional phase from college to a career.

• Develop informed decision-making skills to choose the most suitable option based on individual goals and aspirations.

Connect with fellow scholars and professionals to form meaningful relationships. Discover our Career Closet, where you can select professional attire and accessories to enhance your career journey.

Your outfit is often part of your first impression and knowing what’s expected in different industries can boost your confidence during interviews and internships. This session, led by Sabrena Snow, Vice President of Product and Sustainability for MyCareerCloset, explores how clothing choices can reflect professionalism in various settings, from nonprofits to corporate offices to creative roles. The goal isn’t to change who you are but rather it’s to help you feel prepared and empowered to show up as your best self. After the session, you’ll have the chance to browse a curated collection of free professional clothing to help you build a wardrobe that works for you.

With over a decade of experience in product and people management at brands like T.J. Maxx and Target, Sabrena Snow is a visionary in sustainable fashion. Her work at MyCareerCloset focuses on empowering students to enter the workforce with confidence, style, and professionalism.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this session, Scholars will be able to:

• Understand how clothing can support confidence and communication in professional settings.

• Explore how dress expectations may differ across industries and company cultures.

• Identify ways to express individuality while aligning with professional norms.

• Select clothing from the curated collection that supports their personal career goals and needs.

A Wider Circle will be present with professional clothing items for you to take home for your upcoming job interviews.

You don’t have to be a coder or major in computer science to have a future in tech. In fact, there’s an IT angle in almost every field from healthcare and nonprofits to media, design, and beyond. This panel will break down the real-world roles in IT that aren’t always covered in the classroom and help you see how your degree, interests, and background can lead to exciting careers with a tech twist. You’ll hear from professionals across industries who’ve used IT to make an impact in surprising ways.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Recognize how IT skills and roles show up in various industries, including health, nonprofit, and creative sectors.

• Learn about different, lesser-known IT-related career paths beyond traditional tech jobs.

• Understand how to leverage their current field of study in roles that include technology or data.

• Gain insight into how to prepare for tech-integrated roles, even without a technical major.

We're excited to announce that we'll Wrap up the day, share your takeaways, and celebrate with prize giveaways