UK Alumni Career Services hosts Career Management Week Nov. 9-14
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 9, 2026) — University of Kentucky Alumni Career Services kicks off Career Management Week today, offering virtual and in-person events Nov. 9-14, to help participants navigate career transitions, expand their professional networks and plan for retirement.
The week includes expert-led webinars, free professional headshots, networking opportunities and a retirement planning workshop. Programs address a range of career stages, from making a midcareer pivot to preparing for a meaningful next chapter.
For more information about Career Management Week, visit ukalumni.net/careermanagement or email ukalumnicareer@uky.edu.
The schedule includes:
- “Retirement? It’s Not Just About the Finances. Emotional Planning Before You Leave Is Crucial,” presented by Harry Agress Jr., M.D., clinical professor, New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center
Noon-1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, on Zoom
Most emotional retirement planning starts too late. Learn how to define what’s next, stay engaged and transition with clarity, purpose and momentum well before you leave. Discover a new, encouraging and life-affirming path forward with self-reflection and confidence. Learn the tools that make retirement a unique and exhilarating life opportunity — a time for self-reflection, breaking down barriers to free your imagination and redefining your relevance and purpose.
Register online.
- “The Unspoken Rules of Making a Mid-Career Pivot,” presented by Gorick Ng, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of “The Unspoken Rules”
9-10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, on Zoom
In today’s challenging market, it’s easy to get discouraged during a job search or career transition. But the reality isn’t that no one is getting hired — it’s that the offers are going to the people who understand the unspoken rules of the game. By the end of this session, you will walk away with a concrete action plan and the talking points you need to take your next step with greater confidence.
- Free professional headshots
4-6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, at Stuckert Career Center, 408 Rose St. in Lexington
Enjoy complimentary headshots to update your LinkedIn profile. Email ukalumnicareer@uky.edu to schedule a time slot.
- “Designing Your Next Career Chapter,” presented by Mary Tettenhorst, founder and chief talent strategist for Impact Talent Strategies LLC
Noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, on Zoom
Career transitions can be exciting, but they can also feel overwhelming — especially when they are prompted by job loss, burnout, shifting priorities or a growing sense that what once fit no longer does. In this session, participants will pause to reflect on what they want from their next professional chapter, reconnect with their values and strengths, and explore how to make career decisions with greater clarity and intention. Attendees will leave with practical reflection prompts and a simple framework to help them evaluate opportunities, identify what they want to carry forward or leave behind, and take a more grounded next step.
- Job Club Lunch Bunch
Noon-1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at Puccini’s, 833 Chevy Chase Place in Lexington
Looking for a midday boost in your job search? Join us for a motivational lunch hour (our treat!) where you’ll connect with others, hear directly from a featured employer and set weekly goals. Walk away with actionable tips from our career coaches, all in a supportive, no-pressure environment.
- Career Insights and Lessons from Distinguished UK Alumni
5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at The Campbell House Lexington, 1375 S. Broadway in Lexington
Join UK Alumni Career Services, the UK MBA program and the Fayette County UK Alumni Club for an evening of networking, light appetizers and conversation with fellow alumni and friends. Hear from a panel of distinguished alumni as they share pivotal career challenges, the lessons they learned and experiences that shaped their professional journeys. Whether you are launching your career, navigating a transition or seeking fresh inspiration, this event offers a unique opportunity to connect, learn and gain valuable insights from accomplished alumni representing a variety of industries and career paths.
The moderator is Ali Christian, of Central Kentucky Cancer Care.
Panelists include Emily Henderson, pharmacist consultant, Kentucky Hospital Association; Josh Mitchell, senior director of finance and accounting, Procter & Gamble; Amanda Potts, vice president of marketing and innovation, A&W Restaurants; and Nathalya Zarth, market vice president of strategy and growth, CHI Saint Joseph Health.
The cost is $10 and includes light appetizers and one drink ticket. Registration is limited to 100 participants.
Register online.
- “Preparing for Semi-Retirement: Passion, Purpose & the Practical Workshop,” presented by Caroline Francis, director of UK Alumni Career Services and certified professional retirement coach
9-11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at Stuckert Career Center, 408 Rose St. in Lexington
Not done yet? Retirement is often viewed as the ultimate goal, yet it remains one of life’s most misunderstood and significant transitions. Today, baby boomers and Gen Xers are redefining retirement, with many choosing a path that includes continued work, volunteerism, lifelong learning or new passions. How will you use this gift of additional time to reinvent yourself, discover renewed purpose, leave a legacy and create a meaningful next chapter? This in-person workshop explores the latest trends in longevity, retirement and encore careers while providing practical strategies to help you approach semiretirement with intention and confidence. If you expect to make this transition within the next five years, this workshop will equip you with insights and tools to design a fulfilling future on your own terms.
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.