Conversations that Count: Cultivating Career Success with Alumni Leaders
Proposal Description:
This dynamic presentation will showcase the transformative power of mentorship and its impact on fostering an entrepreneurial mindset in undergraduate students. It will spotlight the unique approach of UNIV 1820, Conversations with Entrepreneurial Leaders, a virtual course led by Julie Gehring at the University of Connecticut’s Werth Institute that connects first and second year students with accomplished alumni across diverse industries.
Key Elements:
Course Overview
- Highlight the virtual course structure, group mentoring model, experiential learning components, and its focus on developing professional skills and entrepreneurial thinking.
- Alumni Engagement: Showcase the diverse backgrounds of guest alumni speakers, illustrating the breadth of entrepreneurial pathways.
- Student Empowerment: Emphasize how students actively participate in discussions, develop critical thinking skills, and build their professional networks.
- Impact & Outcomes: Share success stories of students who have benefited from the course, demonstrating the tangible value of group mentorship and professional skills development.
- Interactive Q&A: Engage the audience in a discussion about the role of mentorship in higher education and career development.
This presentation will provide attendees with valuable insights into:
- The importance of group mentorship in fostering professional skills and entrepreneurial thinking.
- Innovative approaches to connecting students with alumni leaders.
- The impact of experiential learning on student development.
- Strategies for implementing similar courses, programing and partnerships
Learning Objectives:
I. Introduction
- Welcome and Introductions
- Overview of the presentation topic and its significance
- Briefly introduce UNIV 1820 and its unique approach to fostering professional skills and entrepreneurial
- mindsets in undergraduate students
II. Course Structure and Objectives
- Highlight the experiential learning components and key learning objectives of UNIV 1820
- Emphasize the focus on developing professional skills such as communication and networking
- Briefly explain the assessment methods and grading criteria
III. Alumni Engagement and Student Empowerment
- Showcase the diverse backgrounds of guest alumni speakers, illustrating various pathways
- Explain how students actively participate in discussions, develop questions for speakers, and co-lead conversations
- Highlight the importance of student-led interactions in fostering critical thinking and professional communication skills
IV. Impact and Outcomes
- Share success stories and testimonials from students who have benefited from the course
- Present data-driven insights on the program’s effectiveness in enhancing professional skills and entrepreneurial mindsets
- Discuss the long-term benefits of the course, such as increased internship opportunities and career guidance
V. Interactive Q&A and Discussion
- Open the floor for questions from the audience
- Facilitate a discussion on the role of mentorship in higher education and career development
- Encourage attendees to share their own experiences and insights
VI. Conclusion
- Summarize the key takeaways from the presentation
- Reiterate the importance of mentorship, experiential learning, and professional skills development in preparing students for success
- Encourage attendees to implement similar programs/collaborate
The presentation will incorporate visual slides and videos to enhance audience engagement. Student testimonials and interactive elements will be included to make the session more dynamic and impactful.
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