Speakers & Topics


Check back often as more speakers and topics are added!
 

 

 

Gen Z in the Workplace: Shaping Impactful and Purpose-Driven Careers, or Marketing Hype?

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Naeema Pasha

Generalisations about an entire generation can be misleading, and it’s crucial to acknowledge the diversity within all generations, including Gen Z. However, generational research shows common themes emerge that provide valuable insights into how to engage and support a MultiGen workforce.

This session will explore how business schools, careers services, and employers can effectively engage and support Gen Z, equipping them to thrive in professional environments. Gain actionable insights into Gen Z’s career aspirations with strategies for preparing them to navigate today’s workplace complexities.

Whether you are a careers professional seeking to empower the next generation or an employer aiming to attract and retain top talent, this session will equip you with the tools to align with the thinking of Gen Z.

Aligning Impact and Purpose: The Future of Talent Development and Collaboration

Panelists:

  • Professor Andrew Burke, Chair of Business Studies, Trinity College Dublin
  • Mark Duffy, Chief People Officer, Ryanair
  • Lisa Umenyiora, Executive Director, Careers and Student Life, Imperial College Business School

Moderator:

  • Dan Kiernan, Head of Careers, Global Industry, Said Business School, University of Oxford

How can business schools, employers, and career services collaborate to create careers that drive impact, purpose, and transformation?

This dynamic panel brings together a Business School Dean, a senior employer leader, and a career services expert to explore how these three stakeholders can work together to prepare talent for a rapidly evolving world of work. Panellists will discuss what employers truly need from graduates, how business schools are responding to these demands, and the role of career services in bridging the gap. They’ll share success stories, candid insights into roadblocks, and bold ideas for fostering impactful partnerships. The session will dive into challenges such as misaligned expectations and communication gaps, while offering actionable strategies to overcome them.

Join us for an inspiring discussion as we uncover the challenges, successes, and strategies involved in fostering impactful partnerships.

Engaging Employers - an Employer Panel Session

Panelists:

  • Sinéad Bailey, Strategy and Operations Lead, Bristol-Myers Squibb
  • James Belmont, Global Talent Acquisition Partner, TikTok
  • Miriam Higgins, Global Program Manager, Microsoft
  • Emer Sherlock, Deloitte, University Engagement & Alumni Lead | People and Purpose
  • Moderator: Michael McDonnell, Careers & Placement Manager, UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School

Given that there seems to be a shift of focus on specific skills, capabilities, and experiences instead of the historical appeal of an MBA degree, how can business schools re-evalutate their curriculum and build critical skills development in their practical training opportunities to ensure their graduates are well-positioned to enter the changing market dynamics? Employers are looking for an agile and digitally competent workforce with AI savviness, strategic mindset, adaptability, and problem-solving skills that can design creative solutions. How are employers reimagining MBA and Business Masters recruitment as we enter a more skills-based hiring approach?

Join this engaging employer panel session to hear from employers about why they choose to hire MBAs and masters students, what difference they make, what qualities they bring and what carer services can be doing to help increase their chances of being hired. There will be an opportunity to submit live questions for this session via Slido.com.

Concurrent Sharing Sessions

Join these sessions to learn from peers and solve challenges together! Topics are submitted by members through the Call for Proposals process. Following are some of the sessions that will be presented. Check back often as more sessions are confirmed!

Sharing sessions will also include round tables that allow you to connect with those who have a similar job function as you, such as career center leaders, career coaches, employer relations representatives, and empoyers.
 

  • Adapting to Change: Mastering Virtual Networking in the Evolving Graduate Recruitment Market

    Sophie Schaefer, Deputy Director, Career Development Center, ESMT Berlin   
    Marcus Castro, CEO, CareerOS   
    Audiences: Career Center Leaders/Directors, Career counseling/coaching, Specialized Masters

    It is no secret we are in one of the toughest labor markets for graduate business school students. The economic landscape has changed, adding additional pressure on employment results. This session explores effective strategies for students to build authentic relationships with potential hiring managers online, utilizing platforms like LinkedIn and email. We’ll delve into best practices from industry experts to demonstrate how to streamline processes, making virtual networking a powerful component of modern career services.
     

  • AI & Careers Education: A Focus Group to Explore Opportunities and Challenges in the EMEA Region
    Bernie Burke, MBA LEAP Module Co-Lead & Careers Consultant, UCD Smurfit Graduate Business School
    Audiences: Advanced Practitioner, Career Center Leaders/Directors, Career counseling/coaching

    This focus group will explore the views, perceptions and experience of European careers educators  with regard to artificial integlligence (AI) and its impact on their professional practice. It will explore the role of AI in shaping the future of career education across Europe and in particular how it can be used to augment the learning experience for all.  Through an interactive discussion, the session will aim to identify the opportunities and challenges associated with the use of AI and AI tools in career guidance.
     

  • AI and Job Searching: Scaling up the Efficiency of Your Students’ Use of AI
    Sandrine Boussard-Gallen, Employability Consultant, Emlyon Business School
    Marie Portier, Career Coach & Recruitment Consultant, Emlyon Business School
    Audiences: Advanced Practitioner, New Professionals, Career Coaches, Specialty Masters

    This session is designed to further equip career professionals with effective ways to leverage AI tools when working with MBA and MSc students. We will also discuss how academic programs, career centers and the whole Board of an educational organization can come together with a global strategy on this to better service the students community. Enjoy this hands-on and collaborative workshop with AI-driven tools and tips to support students effectively throughout the recruitment cycle.

     

  • Career Coaching and the Future of Work
    Gerry Jennings, MBA Career Lead & Coach, London Business School
    Audiences: Advanced Practitioner, Career Coaches, New Professionals

    In today’s rapidly changing workplace, empowering students to take charge of their career development is essential. This workshop explores how Self-Determination Theory (SDT)—with its core principles of autonomy, competence, and relatedness—can serve as a valuable framework for MBA career coaches.
     Participants will discuss strategies for fostering intrinsic motivation, helping students navigate career uncertainties, and enhancing their sense of ownership and connection in the career decision-making process. Through group discussions, and practical exercises, attendees will learn how to integrate SDT into coaching practices, ultimately enabling students to thrive in dynamic and complex work environments.
     

  • Career Motivation for You, Your Team, and Your Students
    Maggie Tomas, Executive Director, Carlson Business Career Center,Carlson School of Management/University of Minnesota
    Audiences: Advanced Practitioner, Employers, Employer Relations, Career Center Leaders/Directors, Career counseling/coaching, International Students, New Practitioner, Operations, Specialized Masters, Working professionals

    What matters most: Key learnings from data on career motivation  After years of helping professionals understand their motivational preferences at work and make adjustments to align motivation, presenter Maggie Tomas will share how research of over 3000 participants, shows that  2 motivational factors rise to the top for many of us- the power of people and purpose at work.  Participants will spend time unpacking these key learnings and brainstorm strategies for increasing employee wellbeing and satisfaction. This session will help all individuals understand what motivates them at work, what motivates their team at work (if they are managers) AND tools to help their students understand what their motivational preferences are at work. This leads to more purpose and driven and connected employer/recruiting teams, students, and alumni-which is thought to be the key to career satisfaction.
     

  • Embedding Employability and Work-Integrated Learning into the MBA/Masters Curriculum: A Global, Co-Created Learning Model
    Bernie Burke, MBA LEAP Module Co-Lead & Careers Consultant, UCD Smurfit Graduate Business School
    Edel O’Leary, Senior Manager MBA Programmes, UCD Smurfit Graduate Business School
    Audiences: Advanced Practitioner, Employers, Employer Relations, Career Center Leaders/Directors, Career counseling/coaching, International Students, New Practitioner, Operations, Specialized Masters, Working professionals

    Discover how an award-winning, for-credit employability and work-integrated learning module has been strategically designed and integrated into the core curriculum of an MBA Programme. Co-created with the programme, employers, students, alumni and leveraging AI-augmented learning, the module is scalable, inclusive, and future-focused. Rooted in evidence from occupational psychology and universal design principles, it addresses the evolving global employment landscape and educational goals, ensuring measurable outcomes for international and diverse student cohorts. School attendees will gain actionable insights into co-creation processes, curriculum design (applicable to all business masters programs), and the application of research-based strategies. Employer attendees will understand how they can be more proactive in shaping the learning outcomes/development focus of business school graduates.
     

  • Fostering Shared Accountability: Leveraging Career Engagement Reports for Impact 
    Toni Rhorer, Executive Director, Career Management Center, University of California, San Diego, Rady School of Management
    Audiences: Advanced Practitioner, Career Center Leaders/Directors, Career counseling/coaching, New Practitioner, Operations, Employer Relations, Specialty Masters

    Career centers alone cannot ensure student success; it requires collaboration across the institution. This session will show how monthly engagement reports create transparency, foster shared accountability, and empower faculty, program directors, and leadership to enhance student career services involvement. Additionally, quarterly employer engagement reports address student concerns and demonstrate the career center’s value to stakeholders. Participants will engage in an interactive poll and design customized reports for their institution. By the end, attendees will have strategies to foster collaboration, provide data-driven insights, and highlight the career center’s impact through effective reporting.
     

  • Helping Students Navigate UAE Hiring Practices for Careers in Consulting, Financial Services, Government Services, Tech, Healthcare, and More
    Ashique Rafi, Assistant Director of Employer Engagement, INSEAD (Middle East Campus)  
    Garvin Reid, Head of Corporate Relations, NYU Stern at Abu Dhabi
    Audiences: ALL

    The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become a thriving hub for MBA graduates, offering diverse career opportunities across high-growth sectors. This session provides practical strategies to help MBA students successfully navigate the complexities of the UAE job market. Attendees will gain insights into current hiring trends, sectoral demands, and key employer expectations, focusing on technical and interpersonal skills valued in the region. Participants will also learn how to tailor resumes, optimize professional networks, and align career goals with market opportunities. With the UAE aiming to double its GDP to over $800 billion by 2030, this session equips career professionals with practical strategies to help MBA students navigate competitive careers in this dynamic marketplace.
     

  • Leveraging Personality Psychology in Recruitment & Career Coaching
    Patrick Phillips, MBA Career Counsellor, Trinity College Dublin
    Audiences: Career Center Leaders/Directors, Career counseling/coaching, Working professionals, Employers, Employer Relations

    Explore how Colin DeYoung’s 10 Aspects of Personality can enhance career counselling and executive coaching. This hands-on workshop delves into the role of psychometrics in recruitment, helping employers assess candidate fit, leadership potential, and workplace dynamics. It also assists career professionals with designing their career interventions based on recent research in personality psychology and neuroscience. Through interactive exercises, you’ll learn to apply personality insights to strengthen employer relations, improve hiring decisions, and refine your coaching strategies for MBA/MsC students.
     

  • Non-Traditional Recruiting: a Toolkit for Schools and Employers
    Zeynep Flouret. Associate Director, INSEAD
    Audiences:     Employers, Employer Relations, Career Center Leaders, Advanced Practitioners, New Professionals

    The session will provide an opportunity to learn about and share experiences on business development practices for non-traditional recruiting (non-core schools). We will discuss what works in building relationships with new companies, how schools can reach out to companies that are not already recruiting at their school, and how to increase the pipeline of potential recruiters while diversifying sectors and geographies. We will also discuss tips for companies who want to expand their talent search and connections with schools and students through activities such as case studies and student meet-ups.
     

  • Providing Trauma Informed Career Counselling
    Patrick Phillips,  MBA Career Counsellor,  Trinity College Dublin
    Audiences: Advanced Practitioner, Career Center Leaders/Directors, Career counseling/coaching, New Practitioner

    This session will explore how career counsellors can apply the HEART Model, developed by Dr. Galaxina Wright and Lisa Cardello (PhD candidate), to provide trauma-informed career counselling. Research shows that trauma can significantly impact career development. As career counsellors, we frequently work with clients who have experienced workplace traumas such as layoffs, bullying, or toxic work environments. Supporting clients through these challenges can feel daunting, especially since our role is not to address trauma directly. The HEART Model provides a structured approach to help clients rebuild their careers while acknowledging the impact of trauma. In this session, we’ll examine how to integrate this model into practice, equipping you with strategies to foster resilience, confidence, and forward momentum in your clients.
     

  • Purposeful People: Training and Recruiting High-Potential Talent
    Jeff Slater, Careers Coach, Warwick Business School
    Audiences: Advanced Practitioner, Employers, Employer Relations, Career Center Leaders/Directors, Career counseling/coaching, International Students, New Practitioner, Operations, Specialized Masters, Working professionals

    This interactive discussion will explore how employers and business schools can better align their goals to meet the evolving expectations of MBA and Master’s graduates. Through insightful case studies, personal anecdotes, and audience participation, Jeff will highlight practical strategies for fostering stronger collaboration between schools and employers, leading to improved retention, stronger career outcomes, and greater satisfaction for graduates. Don’t miss this opportunity to drive lasting change and create impactful partnerships for the future of talent development.
     

  • Supporting Neurodivergent Individuals from Education in to Work
    Ryan Sharman, Head of Career Development, Cambridge Judge Business School
    Sarah Wissing , Career Coach, London Business School
    Audiences: Advanced Practitioner, Career Center Leaders, Career Coaches, New Practitioners, Employers, Employer Relations, International Students, Specialty Masters, Operations, Working Professionals

    How confident are you in supporting neurodivergent individuals in education and workplace settings? What don’t you know that you would like to explore with other career professionals and employers?  The neurodiversity agenda has come along way. There is more awareness of Neurodiversity and support in education and workplace contexts.  However, there is still a long way to go. Individuals may still be unsure on what they should disclose at interview. Employers may be unclear on what reasonable adjustments they may need to put in place.   This will be an informal and interactive session -  no prior knowledge needed!
     

  • The Changing Needs of Employer Engagement vs. Student Expectations and Interaction
    James Henton. Career Coach and Employer Engagement Manager, Said Business School, University of Oxford
    Audiences: Advanced Practitioner, Career Center Leaders, Career Coaches, New Practitioners, Employers, Employer Relations, International Students, Specialty Masters

    This session will explore the changing needs of employer recruitment and how this aligns with student expectations. Student attendance at events has been an issue for some time across multiple programmes, so at Oxford, we have investigated these issues more deeply to see how we can be more aligned with the student body to ensure maximum engagement (outside of employers with ‘structured’ programs). We have direct student comments and feedback on expectations, solutions, and repercussions to help with alignment. In this session you will have details on our findings, as well as a group discussion on the challenges you face and possible solutions to help with attendance and engagement.

 

And more! Check back often as additional sessions are confirmed.