UK Happenings

Job Club Announces Winter/Spring 2022 Schedule

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 5, 2022)  The University of Kentucky Alumni Association, Fayette County Cooperative Extension Services and UK Human Resources STEPS Temporary Employment are pleased to announce the winter/spring 2022 Central Kentucky Job Club schedule. The free group is open to the public and is available both in-person and online.

The purpose of Job Club is to provide a positive environment for motivated job seekers to meet, connect, share and learn. Job Club is for you if you are a motivated professional and currently out of work, underemployed or looking to make a career transition. In addition, recruiters and employers are always welcome and introduced to Job Club attendees.

Job Club meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, from 9-10:15 a.m., at the Fayette County Cooperative Extension office, located at 1140 Harry Sykes Way in Lexington. Convenient, free parking is available. Business attire is encouraged.

For more information, call the UK Alumni Association at 859-257-8905, the Fayette Cooperative Extension Office at 859-257-5582 or UK Human Resources STEPS Temporary Employment at 859-257-9555, option 2. Additional information including recordings from previous Job Club meetings and testimonials from former Job Club participants can be viewed at www.ukalumni.net/jobclub.

For more information about UK’s COVID-19 policies and procedures, please visit www.uky.edu/coronavirus/. The Fayette County Cooperative Extension Service office is a UK facility, and all in-person attendees will be required to comply with UK’s COVID-19 policies while in the space.

Winter/Spring Job Club Meeting Schedule

Jan. 11: Prove Your Value in the First 90 Days

Presented by Brad Patrick, executive in residence, Gatton College of Business and Economics, UK

Join us for a lively session on how to start your new job on the right foot. Learn from a seasoned HR expert on how to be strategic in your first 90 days in a new role. Online attendees register at https://bit.ly/JC1112022.

Jan. 25: 10 Steps for A Successful Career Change

Presented by Caroline Francis, Ed.S., CCC, BCC, CCSP, CPRC, director of Alumni Career Services, UK

Are you considering a career change in the new year but aren't sure where to begin? Jump-start the process by learning more about proven strategies for job search success and major pitfalls to avoid. Online attendees register at https://bit.ly/JC112522.

Feb. 8: Building a Foundation for Success: How to Ace Your Interview

Presented by April Spellman, manager, People and Culture, Gray Solutions

In this presentation attendees will learn tips and tricks to help ace an interview. From the application process all the way through the last interview, this session will help interviewees gain the knowledge and confidence to get the job. Online attendees register at https://bit.ly/JC2822.

Feb. 22: Job Search Tips and Strategies from a Panel of Regional Recruiters and HR Professionals

This popular annual Job Club meeting will feature a panel of local HR professionals and recruiters. Acquire job search tips and strategies directly from those involved in the recruiting and hiring process. Use this opportunity to get your job search, application, and hiring inquiries answered, so come prepared with questions for the panel. Online attendees register at https://bit.ly/JC22222.

*Free resume reviews immediately following Job Club for in-person attendees.

March 8: Staying Job Market Ready

Presented by Josh Taylor, MA, GCDF, assistant director, Graham Office of Career Management, UK

From identifying the next right opportunity to prepping your application, this career management workshop will provide a best-practice flyover of aligning job satisfaction to core values, social media and personal brand management, resume refreshes and interview strategy. Online attendees register at https://bit.ly/JC3822.

March 22: How to Secure a Second Interview

Presented by Mary Beth Bracken, executive recruiter, UK

Join us as an expert recruiter breaks down strategy for how to present yourself in a first round screening interview. Topics of discussion include how to answer behavioral based interview questions, prepare questions to ask the interview panel, as well as when/how to follow up with interviewers. Online attendees register at https://bit.ly/JC32222.

April 12: Hiring Trends Every Candidate Needs to Know

Presented by Amanda Schagane, MSEd, CCC, CCSCC, CCTC, associate director of Alumni Career Services, UK, and Nicole Waite, employment specialist, UK

Explore current trends in hiring as well as helpful recommendations for a strategic job search from expert career development and human resources experts. Online attendees register at https://bit.ly/JC41222.

April 26: Simple Strategies for your UK Job Search

Presented by Sarah Bowes, employment director, UK, and Emily Curtsinger, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, employment manager, UK

The University of Kentucky Employment Department will share strategies to assist job seekers in their search for career opportunities at UK. This session will help with finding job postings that fit personal skill set and motivations, demonstrate the importance of effectively communicating your qualifications and provide ideas on creating a high-quality job application. Online attendees register at https://bit.ly/JC42622.

May 10: How to Nail Your LinkedIn Profile

Presented by Kerry Boyd, senior recruiter, Valvoline

Most recruiters utilize LinkedIn during their search for viable job candidates. Learn how to create a LinkedIn profile that is complete and concise and will get the attention of recruiters throughout your job search. Online attendees register at https://bit.ly/JC51022.

May 24: Insider Secrets: What Recruiters Want to See on Your Resume

Presented by Lisa James, senior vice president, practice director, Robert Half Finance and Accounting

Ever wonder what happens to your resume when you apply for a job? It may feel like it goes into a black hole, but there’s a great deal going on behind the scenes. Learn what stands out to a recruiter when a resume is reviewed and how to get past screening software. This session will provide present day practices and improvements for your resume. Online attendees register at https://bit.ly/JC52422.

The UK Alumni Association is committed to fostering lifelong engagement among alumni, friends, the association and the university. For more information about the UK Alumni Association, visit www.ukalumni.net or call 800-269-2586.

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.   

In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.