Posted on November 14, 2018 by Joanna Carver
The UTSA College of Business Center for Student Professional Development (CSPD) kicked off the Career Action Program (CAP) last month with a full-day conference for over 400 undergraduate and graduate business students.
CAP, the college’s signature professional development program, is comprised of 17 hours of professional development education including the conference, resume writing training, mock interviews and speed networking sessions.
Students are coached throughout the program by corporate volunteers who dedicate their time to enhancing the students’ professional development skills. Approximately 65 corporate volunteers from more than 30 companies attended the conference representing Valero Energy, Rackspace, AT&T, H-E-B, Accenture Federal Services, AXA Advisors and many others companies and industries.
The CAP conference, which featured a record number of students, allows students to hear from experienced professionals during hands-on workshops, networking opportunities and industry exploration sessions.
“My experience at the CAP conference was insightful, and the lessons I learned have boosted my confidence and improved my networking and interview skills,” says Omar Farhoud, a junior management major. “I highly recommend this program to students who want to improve and learn about professionalism.”
Conference keynote speakers included Julia Rendon-Reinhart, vice president of human resources and administration at Valero Energy, and recent UTSA business graduate Chandler Sutton Ogden, ’15 MSDA ’17, senior decision science analyst at USAA.
“Know your own personal culture,” Reinhart advised students. “If you know yourself, and you are flexible, life will take you where you need to go.”
Throughout the conference the students attended sessions on Making the Right Impression in 30 Seconds, Interviewing with Impact and received dining etiquette training.
Workshop presenters included Dianne Gottsman, renowned etiquette expert; Ann Jansen, human resources manager at Phillips 66; Kelly Lerch, talent acquisition manager at Enterprise Holdings; and Miguel Velasco, ’11, partner at Harvest Future Financial.
Since the program’s inception in 2008, more than 3,200 business students have completed the program.
— Joanna Carver
