Penn Career Services is a centralized office on campus supporting the majority of students, postdocs, and alumni in their professional and career development. But we are not alone, and many staff and faculty play an indispensable role in helping these populations find career success. We are part of a growing “career everywhere” community, and want to take this opportunity to both celebrate and educate. Each year we offer a day of professional and career development programs that help to empower staff and faculty across campus to feel confident as you engage with the students, postdocs, and alumni you serve in any career-relevant conversations. We also hope that these programs give you resources, insights, and advice that support your own continued career development. Learn more about our broader Career Champions Initiative here.
The 2025 Conference
New for this year, we are offering both virtual and limited in-person options to participate in this event, and in-person programs will be in the new Career Services building – 3935 Walnut Street!
You can register for any of the workshops listed below HERE. These programs are for Penn staff/faculty. By participating in these sessions, you will gain insight into your own professional and career development, and will also be able to share these insights and resources with students, postdocs, and alumni at Penn as you engage with them over the next academic year.
Please note that space is limited for in-person participation in the programs listed below. Each program can be watched virtually (and will be recorded), but the interactive elements will be for in-person participants only. Please register soon to reserve your seat while they are still available.
Thursday 5th June
In-person location: 3935 Walnut Street, 2nd Floor
Virtual session links will be shared with registrants prior to the event
9am-5pm: Photobooth is available for professional headshots on the 3rd floor of 3935 Walnut Street
9:15-10:15am: Opening Keynote Panel
The Persistent Value of Professional & Leadership Development in Your Career
In-person and virtual (session will be recorded and shared on the Penn Career Services YouTube Channel)
Learn more about our panelists here: https://careerservices.upenn.edu/2025-penn-career-champions-conference-panelists/
Moderated by: Heather Knox, Coordinator, Employer Relations, Penn Career Services
Confirmed panelists:
– Laurie Hall, EdD, Assistant Vice Provost for Strategic Planning and Operations, Penn University Life
– Barbara Hewitt, EdD, Executive Director, Penn Career Services
– Joshua Darfler, MPA, Administrative Director, Penn Biomedical Postdoctoral Programs
– Katrina Struloeff, PhD, Director of Growth & Impact, Catalyst @ PennGSE
In this session, panelists will share candid stories and actionable insights about how continuous learning, skill-building, and intentional leadership have shaped their own career journeys—and how these same strategies can empower you and the populations you serve at Penn. Whether you’re exploring your professional next steps, or seeking to deepen your impact in your current role, this session will illuminate how investing in your growth benefits not only your career, but also the broader Penn community. Panelists will discuss pivotal moments in their career journeys, the challenges they’ve faced, and the professional development opportunities that made a difference. Discover how continuous growth not only advances your career, but also equips you to better support students, postdocs, and alumni throughout the academic year. Learn more about our panelists here: https://careerservices.upenn.edu/2025-penn-career-champions-conference-panelists/
10:30am-12:00pm: LinkedIn Lab – crafting your professional brand
In-person and virtual
Presented by:
Dustin Miller, Associate Director, Penn Career Services
Dr. Joseph Barber, Director of Graduate Career Initiatives, Penn Career Services
Join advisors from Penn Career Services for this 2-part interactive workshop/lab to help you build a strong, dynamic, and career-relevant LinkedIn profile so that you will also feel empowered to help the students, postdocs, and alumni you serve to develop an impactful professional brand using LinkedIn. Part 1 of this session will be viewable virtually and in-person. Part 2 will be for in-person participants only, and so registrants for this in-person session should be ready to workshop their LinkedIn profiles on their laptops or hand-held devices.
Part 1: 10:30-11:15am – LinkedIn essentials workshop (in-person and Zoom) – session will be recorded and shared on the Penn Career Services YouTube Channel
Part 2: 11:15am-12pm – Table-top brainstorming and profile updating (in-person only). Using a series of prompts, and advice from the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to work with their tables to review their profiles, reflect on their narratives, and make quick updates. Career Services staff will be available to answer any questions.
12-1:15pm: Lunchworking
Mix and mingle with conference participants and advisors from Penn Career Services as you get to know the Career Champions community at Penn. Lunch will be provided, but registration is limited.
1:15-2:45pm: Resume lab – translating your experience as you tailor your resume
In-person and virtual
Presented by:
Laura Brasch, Associate Director, Penn Career Services
Brendan Kennedy, Associate Director, Penn Career Services
Join advisors from Penn Career Services for this 2-part interactive workshop/lab to help you build a strong resume from your own diverse experiences, so that you can also feel empowered to help the students, postdocs, and alumni you serve to brainstorm what they can include on their own effective resumes. Part 1 of this session will be viewable virtually and in-person. Part 2 will be for in-person participants only, and so registrants for this in-person session should be ready to give and receive feedback on a current version of their resumes. Career Services staff will be available to answer any questions during the resume feedback interactive.
Part 1: 1:15-2pm – Resume essentials workshop (in-person and Zoom) – session will be recorded and shared on the Penn Career Services YouTube Channel
Part 2: 2-2:45pm – Resume feedback exercise (in-person only). Participants will be able to get and give feedback on their resumes through 2-3 pair/share exercises at your table, putting into action the advice from the resume workshop.
3-4pm: Career tips, tools, trends and technologies for 2025-2026
In-person & virtual (session will be recorded and shared on the Penn Career Services YouTube Channel)
The world of career trends, tools, and technologies is constantly evolving. Join us for this session to learn about some of the top career resources, tools, and trends that might impact the professional and career development of Penn students, postdocs, and alumni over the coming year. Topics addressed will include:
– Career Services digital content – YouTube, Podcast, Socials – presented by Senior Associate Directors J. Michael DeAngelis & Natty Leach
– Data from our First Destinations Surveys – presented by Senior Associate Director J. Michael DeAngelis
– Employer engagement – presented by Employer Relations Coordinator Heather Knox
– Peer Career Advisors, GA’s, and Pre-Grad Peer Coaches – presented by Associate Director Dustin MIller & Senior Associate Director Natty Leach
– The pre-med application process – presented by Associate Director Doris Tabassum
– The role that AI is playing in the job search – presented by Director of Graduate Initiatives Joseph Barber
Questions? Comments? Please contact Joseph Barber (Penn Career Services) at barberjo@upenn.edu
Organizing Committee:
Joseph Barber & J. Michael DeAngelis
