Annual conference reveals key skills for career success

UHCL lists some of its core values as learner-focused and transformative. In its efforts to do so, it holds a variety of events with such intentions. 

UHCL held its annual Student Leadership & Career Development Conference Nov. 5. The conference has long focused on growing students’ leadership skills. In recent years, the conference was changed to focus on career development in addition to leadership. 

“This is the 25th year of the conference,” said Dillon Nash, assistant director of the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership. “It formally was known as the annual Student Leadership Conference. Last year we expanded it to become the Student Leadership & Career Development Conference to have that collaboration and bring together two areas of campus that really do overlap quite a bit. Employers are looking for people who have leadership skills, so it’s a natural collaboration. It provides a better conference experience for all. Through the conference, students are able to engage in two different tracks: one in leadership and one in career development. You can, as a student, focus on one specific track, or you can mix and match sessions. It’s your choice. You really create your own journey at our conference.”

Nash, along with Tyvia Chandler, employer relations coordinator of Career Services, are co-chairs of the conference. As representatives of their respective offices, the two work with the mission of preparing students for life during and after college. 

“A lot of what our offices do feature those transferable skills,” Chandler said. “I think students get an overall package with this conference. They can learn how to enhance those leadership skills but also get to practice them in real time.” 

The conference featured an employee exhibit in which employers recruit for their organizations. There was also a panel in which employers tell of what they look for in new employees. 

“You are learning those managerial skills, how to communicate with people, how to connect with other people,” Chandler said. “I don’t think people realize networking is a skill. It’s not just finding out what people can do for you, but how can you serve other people? How can that relationship be mutually beneficial?” 

Both Nash and Chandler stress that this event helps not just for one’s career, but for one’s own personal development. 

“This event is actually aimed at you becoming a better person and better leader,” Nash said. “It’s not just about being a leader as an organization but even being a leader in your family. This equips you with skills to be an effective leader in the workforce and in your life. Conferences like these are what help make people be better leaders and managers.”

Emotional intelligence was among the many skills taught and emphasized during the conference, a skill Chuck Crocker, director of Career Services, calls absolutely essential. 

“You have to be aware of your strengths but also what pushes your buttons,” Crocker said. “If you aren’t aware of that, it makes it harder to be a leader. When you work with a group of people, you’re not working with clones of yourself. So you have to be conscious of that.” 

Crocker also cited listening as imperative to growth as a leader. 

“Always be listening,” Crocker said. “Don’t think because you’re a leader you completely got this. The best leaders are those willing to listen and receive feedback from others around them.”

Every year the conference has a theme. This year’s theme was Game Changers. 

The conference has been space themed in past years. The two chairs debated changing the theme and thought about going with a sports theme. This theme extended to its keynote speaker: Shamiel Gary, former NFL  football player and author.

Gary reached out to Nash asking to possibly be a speaker. As the keynote speaker, Gary gave a variety of advice to students, with one of his main points being to step out of one’s comfort zone.

“Take the opportunity to connect with others,” Gary said. “Whether it’s on campus or on LinkedIn. You expose yourself to new things, expand your mind and helps you figure out who you are. That is how you change people’s lives. You have to be able to put yourself in different environments so you can connect with people and understand where they come from.” 

Gary cited multiple skills and leadership qualities college students should not underestimate the power of in their quest to be successful. 

“Vulnerability, communication, empathy and being able to listen actively,” Gary said. “The last thing is leading with your actions rather than your words.”

Gary gave advice to students who are still trying to find their way.

“As a student, you have access to people who want to help you out,” Gary said. “Whatever you want to do, go explore it. Don’t wait until you graduate to look into what you want to do. Put yourself out there and you’ll be one step closer to what you want.” 

The event brought in new and returning students, such as Kailey Jaramillo, Business Administration. This was Jaramillo’s second time attending the event. 

“It’s an opportunity to grow and meet new people,” Jaramillo said. “Hearing the speakers talk about important leadership skills reminds me of what I know I have to do to succeed, while also giving refreshing perspectives.” 

The event was not limited to UHCL students, as students like Karsyn Wheeler, a pre-surgical technology student of Blinn College, attended. Wheeler is a student worker at Blinn and was invited to attend the event. 

“I’d had a bad time making connections since I moved from home,” Wheeler said. “I saw this as an opportunity to put myself out there and improve my resume and [leadership] skills.”

For Chandler, this event encompasses why students come to college. 

“We don’t just come to attend class and read textbooks,” Chandler said. “We come to learn skills we can use once we graduate and go into the workforce. This conference does a good job of holistically showing students what that looks like.”