University Career Services Hosts 10th Annual Employer Summit with Resounding Success

DSA News
August 14, 2024

University Career Services (UCS) recently hosted its 10th Annual Employer Summit. This landmark event saw an impressive turnout of over 150 employer representatives, a significant growth from the inaugural summit that featured just three employers. The summit has evolved into a premier event, offering a comprehensive view of recruiting, engagement, and branding opportunities for the upcoming year.

For months leading up to the event, the UCS team worked diligently on strategic outreach to attract new employers. Their efforts paid off, with the summit drawing local, regional, and national recruiters and leaders. The event provided specialized tracks tailored to both first-time and experienced recruiters, ensuring valuable takeaways for all attendees.

One experienced recruiter highlighted the uniqueness of the summit, noting it was the first event specifically aimed at helping recruiters succeed in campus recruiting. This year's summit also featured a student panel that offered valuable insights on student engagement, a crucial aspect for recruiters aiming to connect effectively with the student body.

In addition to recruiters, the summit welcomed various University of Houston (UH) campus partners, including college-based career centers, Advancement, Athletics, Veteran Services, the Center for Student Empowerment, and the Student Accessibility Center. This diverse representation facilitated rich networking opportunities and fostered stronger collaborations between employers and the university community. Torrence Douglas, associate director of campus recruitment said, “The UH Employer Summit continues to be a place of networking, employer outreach, and opportunity for UCS to showcase the incredible work that we do. New and current employers engaging with UCS, college-based career centers, and on-campus partners made the event a success and a promising future for UH talent recruitment.”

The UCS team expressed gratitude for the unwavering support and encouragement from Dr. Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Daniel Maxwell and Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Paul Kittle. Their presence at the summit was a testament to the event's importance and impact.

Reflecting on the journey from the first summit to this milestone 10th event, UCS leaders and staff were proud of the summit's growth and the positive feedback received from employers and colleagues. Their dedication and hard work have established the UH Employer Summit as a vital platform for recruiting and engagement, benefiting both the university and the employers it partners with.

Leveraging the momentum, UCS also hosted an Employer Open House on July 25th at the Sugar Land instructional site. This event was created for employers in the Fort Bend County area interested in creating a recruitment partnership with UH. Assistant Director for University Career Services Arrianna O’Quin said, “Employers showed up with one thing in common and left with another thing in mind! We are dedicated to student success and that means being intentional about external constituents that we engage with. We are on a mission to increase employer engagement for better chances of employment for ALL UH students no matter where their classes take place, and we will not stop until our mission is complete.”

Like the Employer Summit, this event offered insight on recruiting, engagement, and branding opportunities for the upcoming year. Although this event was conducted for a smaller audience, it left a massive impact on attendees as several had expressed interest in expanding their presence at the Sugar Land instructional site.

The UCS leadership team would like to thank Dr. Neal, associate vice president of academic affairs and chief operating officer at Sugar Land, Dr. Patricia Schrader, clinical associate professor/associate dean, Dr. Ron Hopkin, associate dean for academic affairs in the technology division, and Janice Quiroz Perez, director, engineering career center, for their presence and time spent mingling with interested employers.

Dr. Monica Thompson stated, "As Executive Director of University Career Services at UH, I am thrilled by the results of our outreach efforts for both the Employer Summit and the Employer Open House in Sugar Land, which both attracted a diverse range of successful companies across various industries seeking to recruit interns, recent graduates, and alumni. This event has proven highly successful in understanding employers' needs and supporting their recruitment goals through various engagement opportunities that connect with our students and campus partners. I am particularly pleased not only with hosting the largest event thus far but also with the appreciation shown by employers for our proactive and collaborative approach. We are true partners, bridging them to the powerhouse of UH talent that contributes significantly to their organizations. We are eager to welcome our students for Fall recruiting with a wealth of opportunities—let's go Coogs!"

As the University of Houston continues to innovate and excel in its career services, the Employer Summit and Open House stands out as a shining example of its commitment to student success and employer engagement. Here's to another decade of growth and impactful summits!

Written by – Germaine Washington – Director of Marketing and Communications – Student Affairs