UK Job Club releases Fall 2026 schedule
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 26, 2026) — The University of Kentucky Alumni Association and UK Human Resources STEPS Temporary Employment Fall 2026 Job Club schedule kicks off Sept. 8.
Job Club provides a forum for job seekers to connect, share resources and learn from career professionals. The free program is open to the public and is designed for individuals who are unemployed, underemployed or considering a career transition. Meetings are 9-10 a.m. ET via Zoom the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Recruiters and employers are welcome to attend and share job opportunities with participants.
The Job Club schedule for Fall 2026 includes:
Sept. 8 — Finding Your Competitive Advantage Through Your Strengths
Presented by Kelli Carroll, assistant director, Graduate Career Development, American University Kogod School of Business
Job seekers often focus on skills they need to develop rather than the strengths they already possess. This session will explore how identifying and applying personal strengths can support networking, interviewing and other parts of the job search. Attendees will learn ways to communicate their value more clearly to potential employers.
Sept. 22 — Career Resilience in Uncertain Times: Job Search Tactics That Work
Presented by Caroline Francis, director, UK Alumni Career Services, and Amy Gamblin, associate director, UK Alumni Career Services
Career transitions can create uncertainty, especially for job seekers facing a layoff, considering a career change or actively pursuing a new role. This session will focus on practical job search strategies, including ways to identify opportunities, stay organized and adapt to current hiring conditions. Participants will learn approaches for building resilience during the search process.
Oct. 13 — Career Transitions and Pivots: Expanding Your Options Without Starting Over
Presented by Meredith Dinitz, founder and CEO, Your Career Happiness Professional Coaching
Many professionals reach a point where they want a change but are unsure how their experience transfers to a new role or industry. This session will focus on identifying transferable skills, exploring new career possibilities and evaluating opportunities that align with existing experience. Attendees will learn strategies for expanding their options without starting over.
Oct. 27 — AI and Your Job Search: Smarter Strategies for Today’s Market
Presented by Amy Gamblin, associate director, UK Alumni Career Services
Artificial intelligence is becoming more common in recruiting, hiring and job search tools. This session will provide practical guidance on using AI effectively, understanding ATS systems, and maintaining a human-centered approach to your job search.
Nov. 10 — The Unspoken Rules of Making a Mid-Career Pivot
Presented by Gorick Ng, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of “The Unspoken Rules,” UC Berkeley
Mid-career transitions often require job seekers to explain their experience in ways that connect with new employers and industries. This session will explore common challenges in making a career pivot and how to communicate skills, accomplishments and professional value more effectively. Attendees will learn strategies for building stronger professional narratives during a job search.
Nov. 24 — Preparing for Opportunity: Interview Tips for Job Seekers
Presented by Sherry Holland, HR and projects coordinator, Health First Bluegrass
Strong interview preparation can help job seekers communicate their experience with clarity and confidence. This session will cover preparation strategies, responses to common interview questions and ways to present accomplishments effectively. Participants will also learn techniques for preparing for different interview formats and following up after interviews.
Dec. 8 — Creating a Resume That Gets Results: Standing Out in an AI-Driven Hiring World
Presented by Caroline Francis, Director, UK Alumni Career Services
As recruiting technology evolves, resumes must be clear to both hiring professionals and automated screening systems. This session will discuss current resume best practices, ways to highlight accomplishments and methods for presenting transferable skills during career transitions.
Job Club Lunch Bunch: Sept. 8, Oct. 13 and Nov. 10
Noon to 1 p.m. ET at Puccini’s, 833 Chevy Chase Place, Lexington, Kentucky
Job Club Lunch Bunch provides an opportunity for job seekers to connect in person while continuing conversations that begin during virtual Job Club sessions. Attendees can network with other participants, hear from featured employers and discuss current job search challenges in an informal setting. Lunch is provided at no cost to participants.
For more information, email jobclub@uky.edu.
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 healthcare. 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 $1.02 billion research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.