Join a virtual panel for strategies and best practices for your industry.
Monday, October 4
Digital Marketing Trends : Business Opportunities and Challenges, 8:30AM - 9:20AM
Panelists: Bridgett Colling, Figo Pet Insurance; Dr. Lubna Nafees, WCOB
The digital marketing landscape is constantly evolving and has challenged and changed the “traditional ways” of marketing communications, creating new opportunities for businesses to reach and engage consumers through smart, social, and mobile media technologies. In this session, Bridgett Colling, Director of Marketing & Communications, Figo Pet Insurance and Lubna Nafees, Associate Professor of Marketing in the Department of Marketing & SCM at the Walker College of Business, will talk about the recent digital marketing trends and the business opportunities and challenges created as a result, and what that means for the future workforce.
10 Things Employers Don't Want to Hear, 9:30AM - 10:30AM
Panelists: Mac McLain, CH Robinson; Krystal Donohue, United Rentals; Jacqueline Cooley, Merchants Distributors LLC; Sarah Rachel, Carolina Farm Credit
Have you ever wondered what a potential employer needs to know about you before making a hiring decision and how to communicate that information to them during an interview? Are you curious about what an applicant might do that recruiters find annoying? This session will examine best methods in interview and communication and will give attendees the necessary tools to convince employers that he or she is a great hire.
Women in Business: The Power of Professional Allies, 11:00AM - 12:00PM
Panelists: Amy Casari, Enterprise; Annie Borders, Sherwin-Williams; Ashley Scarborough, Epes Transport; Lauren McMahan, Hanes Companies
What is it like to be a woman in the corporate business world? Building a network of people who can help you, advocate for you, and promote you within the workplace is critical to your advancement. How do you care for this network in a strategic and thoughtful manner? Learn about the power of building professional allies as a female in the business world from women leading in business today.
Careers in Finance, 12:30PM - 1:20PM
Panelists: Greg LeNeave, Anderson LeNeave & Co.; Melissa Miller, Bank of America; Marty Bullard, Equitable
So you're getting a degree in Finance & Banking- now what? Hear from recruiters in several different career paths of finance to help you decide which direction to go after graduation.
Adventures and Opportunities In Cybersecurity, 2:00PM - 2:50PM
Panelists: Maya Alston, Security & Privacy Risk Consulting Associate, RSM US LLP; Janie McLaughlin, Truist; Fletus Poston, Duke Energy ; Bruce “Corky” Wink, Quadrant Information Security
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, information security analysts rank as one of the top ten fastest growing occupations with the highest percentage projected increase in employment between 2019-2029. Hear first-hand from panelists working in the Cybersecurity field regarding experiences they have encountered in their jobs and find out about employment opportunities for students who gain expertise in Cybersecurity.
Bulid Your Brand, 3:30 - 4:30PM
Panelists: Martha Ruiz Marsh, Lowe's Companies, Inc.; Mac McLain, CH Robinson; Cameron Annas, Granite Insurance
A personal brand is a perception or impression of an individual based on their experience, expertise, actions and/or achievements within a community, industry, or the marketplace. You'll hear about what steps to take to build your brand, make yourself stand out, and how to communicate your brand to employers.
How to Maximize Your LinkedIn Profile, 5:00 - 6:00PM
Panelists: Ashley Scarborough, Epes Transport; Hanna Williamson, Beacon Hill; Hannah Rozyyev, Rush Enterprises; Christina Dunemann, Equitable Advisors
LinkedIn has become a key asset to building and maintaining a strong professional network. Having connections at your fingertips provides the opportunity to advance in your career like never before. Come learn the benefits of joining this online community and some tips and tricks in creating and maintaining your profile.
Tuesday, October 5
Backpack to Briefcase - First Year in a New Job, 9:30 - 10:30AM
Panelists: Robert Wallace, E&J Gallo; Katie Knight, Hanes Companies; Kelsey Russell, KEYENCE; Pat Janke, Key Risk
Landing the job can be much easier than being successful in it. Many successful people count the first year after college as a defining moment in their careers. Learn from new alumni how to maximize your first year experience from experts in their field.
COVID Disruption But Not The Disruption We Expected, 11:00AM - 11:50AM
Guest Speaker: Scott A. Holbrook, CPCU, President; Key Risk (a Berkley Company)
COVID introduced massive disruption but the disruption we thought the insurance industry would see has been greatly surprising. From direct financial impacts, unknown long term impacts, changes to office work environments to radically different talent strategies, will our industry ever be the same?
How to Stand Out in the Job Market, 12:30 - 1:30PM
Panelists: Pat Janke, Key Risk; Lily Yatawara, Tom James Company; Christian Bruno, Consolidated Electrical Distributors
Learn tips that can help you stand out from other candidates when you are applying for jobs. Find out what NOT to do as well as ways to leverage your skills and experience to make the best possible impression in documents, online profiles, email communication, and in person.
Graduate School for Economics, 2:00PM - 2:50PM
Panelists: Bobby Weant ('17) - M.S. Economics from UNCC & MSBA Copenhagen Business School; Nick Williams ('18) - J.D. Candidate, UNC School of Law; Jessica Robinson ('19) - MS International Economics from American University; Matthew Winters ('20) - M.S. Economics from NC State
Learn about graduate school in economics from former students and faculty.
Dress for Success, 3:30 - 4:30PM
Panelists: Amy Casari, Enterprise; Christina Dunemann, Equitable Advisors; Pat Janke, Key Risk; Lily Yatawara, Tom James Company
Looking the part helps set the tone for you as a professional. This panelists in this session will cover starting a professional wardrobe, choosing accessories, tailoring a suit to your body type, and offer suggestions on where to shop to make the most of your budget.
Wednesday, October 6
Business Etiquette After COVID, 9:30 - 10:30AM
Panelists: Nichole Boles, Cregger Company; Shelse Webb, CGI; Anna Foster, Boardroom Insiders; Sarah Luffman, Prism Medical Products, LLC
Etiquette is a set of unwritten rules that apply to social situations, professional workplaces, and relationships. From the power of a hand written thank you note to how to avoid the dead-fish handshake, join our panel of business professionals as they help you navigate the do's and don'ts of the business world after a global pandemic.
Secrets to Landing a Job Before you Graduate, 11:00AM - 12:00PM
Panelists: Madison Browne- Goldman Sachs; Edward Crowther-Bank of America
Hear from recent graduates as they describe the strategies they used to search for, apply for, and land a great job before graduation.
AppState Alumni and Hospitality Tourism Professional: Alan Roberts, 12:30PM- 1:20PM
Guest Speaker: Alan Roberts
Alan serves as Global Head of Hilton Garden Inn. He is responsible for overall brand strategy which includes driving growth and development, diversifying and increasing revenue as well a building and sustaining guest loyalty. Alan is an WCOB alumni and has 30+ years of hospitality experience ranging from porter to General Manager to most recently, Global Head of Embassy Suites by Hilton. He started his career with Hilton in 2004 as a Director with the Hilton Garden Inn Brand Performance & Sales Support team, where he became Vice President in 2010. In 2016, he was appointed to his first Global Head role with Embassy Suites by Hilton where he served for four years before being named into his current role.
Leveraging your International Experience, 12:30PM - 1:20PM
Panelists: Charlotte Dubald('14), The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Paris, France; Jack Terrell('18), BMW Manufacturing Co, LLC Spartanburg, SC; Jerri Snyder('14), Boeing; Libby Layton('13), Food Lion - Human Resources Management
Hear from alumni on a) how to advance your career and acquire marketable skills during your study abroad experience b) how to identify the skills gained from your international experience and communicate them clearly to a potential employer c) the importance of networking and c) the value of an international experience, both personally and professionally.
Public Accounting and Beyond, 2:00PM - 2:50PM
Public Accounting and Beyond”, panel consists of professionals who after having worked in public accounting have transitioned into other positions such as internal audit and non-profit accounting.
Professional Selling: A Noble Undertaking, 3:30PM - 4:20PM
Panelists: Christian Beach, Bandwidth; Ariel Pope, Herc Rentals; Daniel Johnson, Signature Consultants; Jose Perez, Tom James Company
When asked to list careers considered to be helping professions, sales and selling don't often make the list. In fact, many negative stereotypes about selling and salespeople persist despite being inaccurate. In kind, students seeking their first career positions post-graduation too frequently dismiss or avoid professional selling opportunities. Come listen to our panel of sales professionals explain why professional selling is actually a noble undertaking, focused on improving and bringing value to other people's lives, and for which salespeople are lucratively compensated.