Hoos Elevate Quarterly
Advancing Careers through Connection & Insights
- Q4 2026
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Start Strong: Build Early Career Momentum
Your career doesn’t have to be fully mapped out to start moving forward. Q4 Hoos Elevate is all about taking small, intentional steps that can create lasting momentum early in your career.
Through practical advice, alumni insights, and opportunities to build meaningful connections, this quarter will help you strengthen your network, develop career-ready habits, explore possibilities, and make confident decisions about what comes next.Start where you are. Build your network. Invest in yourself. Create momentum.
- Q3 2026
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Find Your Community. Elevate Your Career.
Your network can be one of the most powerful drivers of career growth. This quarter, we’re excited to introduce our newly refreshed Alumni Professional Networks, now including Business, Creative, and Education, alongside Entrepreneurship, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Public Service & Government, Sustainability, and Technology. Whether you’re looking to expand your professional network, gain industry insights, explore new opportunities, or give back to fellow alumni, there’s a community for you. Find the network that best aligns with your background and interests—and discover how the power of the UVA alumni community can help you take your next step. - Q2 2026
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Elevate Your Career: New Strategies for Every Stage
Whether you’re exploring new possibilities, advancing in your industry, or reinventing your path, Hoos Elevate Q2 programming helps you take your job search to the next level. Through expert-led workshops, coaching insights, and targeted networking, this series equips alumni with fresh tools to uncover opportunities, refine their personal brand, and build meaningful professional connections. - Q1 2026
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AI Literacy & the Future of Work
This quarter, hear from UVA alumni and industry leaders as they demystify emerging technologies, share real-world applications, and offer practical tools you can use right away (including this set of AI Literacy Resources). From adapting your skillset to navigating ethical considerations, each session helps you stay ahead in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Upcoming Events
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Let’s Network—Virtual
Let’s Network: Government & Public Service
Looking to build momentum in your early career? Join fellow UVA alumni for a conversation on launching and growing a career in government and public service. Featuring alum Alex Wilson (Com class of’13, Engr class of’20), this session will provide practical guidance on exploring federal career opportunities and navigating the USAJOBS application process.Alex will share insights into the wide range of career paths available in government, the benefits of public service, and what early-career professionals should know about finding and applying for federal roles. He’ll also provide a live demonstration of USAJOBS, walk through recent changes to the hiring process, and offer tips for creating a strong application and understanding federal hiring timelines.
Following the discussion, participants will connect in small-group networking breakouts to exchange advice, ask questions, and build relationships with fellow Hoos working in—or interested in—government and public service.
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Let’s Network—In-Person
Let’s Network: In-Person—Creative, Business, Entrepreneurship & Technology
Build meaningful connections across industries at this special in-person networking reception for UVA alumni in New York City, hosted in partnership with the Virginia Club of New York. Kick off the evening with practical insights from alum Kelly Geary (Col class of ’97), Career Coach and Founder, The Middle League, on networking and personal branding, then put those ideas into action as you connect with fellow Hoos over food and drinks.Whether you’re looking to expand your professional network, explore new opportunities, learn from alumni in different fields, or simply meet more Hoos in NYC, this is a chance to step outside your usual circles and make connections across Creative, Business, Entrepreneurship, and Technology industries. Come ready to network, share your story, and discover where your UVA network can take you next.
Register for Let’s Network: Creative, Business, Entrepreneurship & Technology
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Career Development Week 2026
UVA alumni of all industries and experience levels are invited to join us for four days full of learning, discussion, and networking designed to support you on your career journey, brought to you by the Alumni Association’s Alumni Career Engagement. -
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ACE Virtual Drop-In
Director of Alumni Career Engagement Liz Sprouse is joined by Associate Director of Alumni Programs Dani Abbott to discuss how Alumni Career Engagement and Alumni Professional Networks can help support your career goals. -
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Let’s Network—Virtual
Let’s Network: Healthcare & Public Service
Join alumni across the healthcare and life sciences field for an hour of connection, conversation, and career growth. Hosted by Dani Abbott, Associate Director for Alumni Professional Networks, and members of the Healthcare & Life Sciences Advisory Council, this interactive session will highlight networking resources, ways to engage with the Healthcare & Life Sciences Network, and strategies for leveraging the UVA alumni community to expand your professional network and uncover new career opportunities. Small-group networking breakouts will give you the chance to connect directly with fellow alumni working across the healthcare and life sciences industry.
Recordings
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Let’s Network—Virtual
Let’s Network: Technology
Join alumni in your field for an hour of industry-focused connection and conversation. Each session in the Let’s Network series features a timely hot topic, a special guest to spark insight, and small-group networking breakouts where you can discuss the topic with fellow alums in your field. -
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Let’s Network—Virtual
Let’s Network: Education
The impact of AI and educational technology on teaching and learning
Join alumni across the education field for an hour of conversation, connection, and insight on one of the profession’s most rapidly evolving topics: the impact of AI and educational technology on teaching and learning.From K–12 and higher education to corporate learning and educational innovation, AI is reshaping how we teach, learn, assess, and support students. Featured guest speaker Dr. Wendy Amato (Educ class of ’08, class of ’12) will share her perspectives on emerging trends, opportunities, and challenges, then continue the conversation with fellow alumni in small-group networking breakouts to exchange ideas and experiences from your own work.
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ACE Experts: The Blueprint for Early Career Success
Presented by certified coach and talent acquisition leader Joyce Butts Lewis (Col class of ’85). Success rarely happens by chance—it requires intention, planning, and strategy. Join us to learn practical strategies for building key relationships, increasing your visibility, and gaining the experiences that position you for long-term career success. -
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Let’s Network—Virtual
Building the Network That Elevates You: Lessons from a UVA Founder Creating Connections at Scale
Join fellow alumni and friends for an engaging hour of industry-focused networking centered on entrepreneurship, technology, and sustainability. This session will explore how strategic networking can accelerate your career, expand your opportunities, and deepen your impact across sectors — with insights from a UVA founder who’s building connections at scale.We’re excited to be joined by Ryan Levy, the founder of Hoo You Know, a newsletter dedicated to helping UVA students and alumni navigate careers through alumni interviews, networking guidance, and practical career insights. In his work, Ryan has helped Hoos forge meaningful professional relationships and unlock pathways that often start with a single conversation.
In this session, Ryan will share actionable lessons on building and nurturing your network, how to approach connections with confidence, and the role of community in driving personal and professional growth — followed by interactive small-group networking breakouts where you can put these strategies into practice and meet other alumni in entrepreneurship, tech, and sustainability.
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LinkedIn & ChatGPT for Career Exploration: A Data-Driven Guide to Your Next Opportunity
Want to make sure that the next step on your career path is the best fit for your strengths and interests? Then be sure to join the Alumni Association and Jeremy Schifeling, former leader of LinkedIn’s Education Team, for this one-hour session that will help guide your career exploration based on data and AI:- Which paths make the most sense for you, based on a ChatGPT analysis of your background and passions
- Which other UVA alumni have gone down these paths, based on LinkedIn’s powerful dataset of more than one billion alumni
- How to engage and learn from UVA alumni in a curiosity-driven way
- How to test your career hypotheses in a rigorous way before committing to a new path
Instead of “hoping it’ll all work out,” discover a better way to find work you love!
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Unlocking the Hidden Job Market: Find and Land Your Dream Job
Struggling with your job search or unsure about your next career move? You’re not alone! Studies show that 70-80% of jobs are found through the hidden job market—yet many professionals don’t know how to tap into it effectively. If you’re relying solely on online applications, you may be missing out on the best opportunities.In this webinar, Certified Career Coach and national career expert Hallie Crawford will teach you:
- How to define what’s essential to you in an ideal career
- What the hidden job market is and how to leverage it for more opportunities
- Key first steps to expand your network and uncover unlisted job openings
- Proven strategies to enhance your job search and avoid common mistakes
Don’t let your dream job pass you by! Join us and take control of your job search with a strategic approach.
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How AI Is Transforming Media, Entertainment & Sports Careers
Join fellow alumni for an hour of industry-focused networking, hosted by the Media, Entertainment & Sports Alumni Professional Network. This session will explore How AI Is Transforming Media, Entertainment & Sports Careers—from content creation and storytelling to production, analytics, fan engagement, and the skills employers are prioritizing as technology reshapes the industry. We’ll be joined by special guest Isabel Monteith (Col class of ’10), who will kick off the conversation with real-world insights on how AI is showing up in creative and business roles today, followed by interactive small-group breakout discussions focused on staying adaptable, relevant, and future-ready in a rapidly evolving landscape. -
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Future-Proofing Your Career: AI, Adaptability, and the Power of Human Skills
Soft Skills Are the New Hard Skills in an AI-Driven Workforce
Technology will continue to evolve, but the ability to adapt, connect, and lead remains timeless. This session explores how AI is reshaping careers and hiring decisions and why employers increasingly view human skills as critical differentiators. Attendees will gain practical insight into how to stand out in applications, interviews, and new roles by leveraging capabilities that technology cannot replace. -
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Let’s Network: Government & Public Service—AI for Public Good
Join fellow alumni for an hour of industry-focused networking, hosted by the Government & Public Service Alumni Network. This virtual Let’s Network session will explore AI for Public Good: How Emerging Technologies Are Shaping Government & Public Service—from policy and program delivery to cybersecurity, national security, and public impact. Together, we’ll discuss how generative and agentic AI are transforming public sector work and the skills and mindsets public servants need to stay informed, adaptable, and mission-focused.We’ll be joined by special guest Raleigh Sims (Batten class of ’19), who will kick off the conversation with real-world insights on how AI is being applied across U.S. government and national security missions, followed by interactive small-group breakout discussions designed to foster connection, idea-sharing, and peer learning in today’s rapidly evolving landscape.
Raleigh Sims (Batten class of ’19) is Senior Go-to-Market Strategist for U.S. National Security at Scale AI. Drawing on his experience working with the U.S. government, intelligence community, and AI startups, Raleigh partners with public sector leaders to advance responsible AI adoption in support of mission-driven outcomes.
In partnership with the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy.
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Bald, Bold, & Hired: The Bald Truth About AI and Hiring
A candid look at how AI is reshaping hiring and the timeless qualities employers still rely on when choosing the right candidate. The session will also include a guided breakout discussion, giving participants the chance to explore the topic together and network with industry peers. -
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Staying Strong Through Change: Building Career Resilience in an AI-Driven World
Whether you’re planning a job search, navigating a career transition, or polishing your resume, we know you have questions! Our monthly ACE Virtual Drop-In series offers alumni the chance to connect directly with UVA Alumni Career Engagement Director Liz Sprouse for support and guidance.This month, Liz will be joined by certified coach Laura Fleury (Col class of ’91), Founder/CEO of GenXYZen Coaching, who will share practical insights on building personal resilience as AI reshapes the workplace—including how to stay adaptable, confident, and grounded during rapid change.
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The Future With AI: Policies, Ethics, and Governance
Artificial Intelligence is no longer a distant concept—it’s a prevailing force shaping nearly every aspect of our lives. Join UVA experts Renée Cummings, School of Data Science, and Mona Sloane, School of Data Science & Media Studies for a thought-provoking conversation on the policies, ethics, and governance shaping AI’s future. From cutting-edge research to innovation, this session explores how we can guide AI responsibly.In partnership with the UVA School of Data Science.