Career Development Week

Career Development Week 2026

Igniting Potential, Inspiring Success

November 9–12, 2026
Virtual

Join us for four days of virtual learning, discussion, and networking designed to support recent graduates navigating the next stage of their professional journey, and experienced professional looking to refresh their skills and explore new perspectives. Participants will gain insights, make connections, and build confidence for career success.

Schedule of Career Development Week sessions, including dates, times, and topics. Session titles link to detailed session descriptions later on this page.
Date	Noon–1 p.m.	3–4 p.m.
Monday 11/9	Keynote: Supporting Young Alumni Career Success in a Rapidly Changing Landscape (Lily West, Leidra McQueen)	No 3–4 p.m. session on November 9
Tuesday 11/10	Panel: Launching Your Career with Confidence: Alumni Advice for New Graduates (Nick Rupert [moderator], Alex Wilson, Olivia Wilkinson, Reza Zaidi)	Presentation/Networking: Building your Personal Board of Advisors Early in your Career (Les Williams, Shirley Nguyen)
Wednesday 11/11	Presentation: Be Yourself, Professionally: Building a Brand That Connects Who You Are and What You Do (Banke Awopetu)	No 3–4 p.m. session on November 11
Thursday 11/12	Presentation: I’m Getting a Real Paycheck. Now What? (Tom Henske)	Presentation/Networking: Networking Without the Awkward: Building Genuine Relationships Early in Your Career (Dani Abbott)

Session Details

Welcome and Keynote: Supporting Young Alumni Career Success in a Rapidly Changing Landscape

Monday, November 9, 12–1 p.m.

Join UVA Alumni Association President & CEO Lily West and Senior Director of Alumni Programs Leidra McQueen for a conversation focused on how the Alumni Association is supporting early-career success for young alumni as they navigate an increasingly complex employment landscape.

Lily West (Darden class of ’12), President & CEO, UVA Alumni Association
Leidra McQueen (Col class of ’11), Senior Director, Alumni Programs, UVA Alumni Association

Panel: Launching Your Career with Confidence: Alumni Advice for New Graduates

Tuesday, November 10, 12–1 p.m.

What does it really take to make a successful transition from student to professional? Hear directly from alumni leaders who have recently navigated this journey and are eager to share insights to help you transition smoothly and with confidence.

Through candid conversations and practical advice, panelists will discuss topics such as adapting to workplace culture, building professional relationships, navigating early career challenges, and developing confidence in a new role. Attendees will leave with valuable insights, actionable strategies, and encouragement to help them successfully launch their careers and thrive in the workplace.

[Moderator] Nick Rupert (Com class of ’19), Senior Manager, Global Strategic Initiatives, LinkedIn
Alex Wilson (Com class of ’13, Engr class of ’20), IT Project Manager, National Science Foundation (NSF)
Olivia Wilkinson (Col class of ’24), Assistant Director, Business Careers, William & Mary
Reza Zaidi (Com class of ’23), Strategic Retail, David

Presentation: Building your Personal Board of Advisors Early in your Career

Tuesday, November 10, 3–4 p.m.

No one builds a successful career alone. Whether you’re searching for your first job, navigating a career transition, or exploring new opportunities, having a trusted group of advisors can make all the difference.

Join us for an interactive conversation on how to intentionally build your own personal board of advisors—a network of mentors, peers, sponsors, and advocates who can offer guidance, open doors, provide honest feedback, and support your professional growth throughout your career.

The session will begin with a fireside chat between Les Williams (Engr class of ’00) and Shirley Nguyen (Col class of ’26) discussing the different roles advisors can play, how to cultivate meaningful professional relationships, and practical strategies for expanding your network with confidence.

Following the conversation, participants will join breakout discussions to connect with fellow alumni, exchange experiences, and identify the types of people they want on their own personal board of advisors. You’ll leave with new connections, actionable networking strategies, and a clearer plan for building a support system that grows with your career.

Les Williams (Engr class of ’00), Faculty, UVA Northern VA
Shirley Nguyen (Col class of ’26), Marketing Fellow, Virginia Recreation

Presentation: Be Yourself, Professionally: Building a Brand That Connects Who You Are and What You Do

Wednesday, November 11, 12–1 p.m.

Your professional brand shouldn’t require you to become someone else. Whether you’re entering the workforce, exploring what comes next, or making a career change, this interactive session will help you connect who you are with the value you bring professionally. Through practical strategies and live coaching, you’ll learn how to identify your strengths, communicate transferable skills, and tell an authentic career story that connects where you’ve been with where you want to go.

Banke Awopetu (Col class of ’05), Writer, Content Strategist, Editorial & Community Systems Specialist

Presentation: I’m Getting a Real Paycheck. Now What?

Thursday, November 12, 12–1 p.m.

You can spend more than 20 years preparing yourself to earn a living, yet receive remarkably little education about what to do with money once you begin earning it.

Designed primarily for fourth-year students and recent graduates, this session will give participants a practical framework for navigating the financial transition from college to the working world. Rather than attempting to cover every area of personal finance, the session will focus on the decisions and habits that can have the greatest impact during the first several years after graduation.

Tom Henske (Col class of ’94), Speaker, Author, Founder of Total Cents

Presentation: Networking Without the Awkward: Building Genuine Relationships Early in Your Career

Thursday, November 12, 3–4 p.m.

Networking doesn’t have to feel forced, transactional, or uncomfortable. The most valuable professional relationships are built through genuine curiosity, authentic conversations, and a willingness to help others—not by collecting business cards or delivering a perfect elevator pitch.

Join Dani Abbott, Associate Director for Alumni Professional Networks, for an interactive session designed to help early-career alumni build confidence and develop a networking approach that feels natural. You’ll learn practical strategies for starting conversations, maintaining meaningful professional relationships, reaching out to alumni with confidence, and turning everyday interactions into lasting connections.

Following the discussion, participants will join small-group breakout conversations to practice networking in a welcoming environment, exchange experiences with fellow Hoos, and expand their professional network. Whether you’re preparing for your first job, exploring career options, or looking to grow your network, you’ll leave with practical tips, new connections, and greater confidence in building relationships that support your career for years to come.