Career and Life Design at Hollins University is welcoming students to the first-ever spring edition of its annual Career Connection Conference (C3) on March 2.
For the past 12 years, C3 has brought Hollins alumnae/i back to campus each fall to demonstrate the lifelong power of a liberal arts education. Covering a range of career fields, they share their insights on life and work and help students connect with others in their networks. The new Spring C3 is intended to complement the fall event, and the inaugural conference features the theme, “Beyond Hollins – What’s Next…”
“Graduating seniors of the class of 2024 will gain insights on how to best transition successfully into the professional world,” explains Jeffrey White, Career and Life Design director. “With a focus on practical skills and insider knowledge, conference sessions will cover salary negotiation, finding that first apartment, interviewing for success, and surviving the first 90 days of a new job.”
White adds that other conference sessions intended for all Hollins students will help build skills and insights for career development. These sessions include “Going to Graduate School,” “Acing the Interview,” and a LinkedIn lab.
Kait Eusebio Johnson, branch executive director for YMCA of Virginia’s Blue Ridge since 2022, will deliver the Spring C3 keynote address. Johnson, who previously served as executive director of YMCA of Coastal Carolina for four years, will discuss how she has built her personal brand to support her dedication to positive social and workplace change.
“Kait is a dynamic leader with an impressive track record,” says White. “Throughout her professional journey, she has consistently showcased innovation, an unyielding commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and a fearless determination to challenge the status quo. She actively promotes a sense of belonging and cultivates a culture of empowerment, acting as a catalyst for positive change.”
Leading up to the March 2 conference, students can attend an employer fair as well as Career and Life Design workshops on financial literacy and updating their LinkedIn profile. After Spring C3, students can also attend industry discussions to learn more about careers in education and entrepreneurship.
