UK Job Club releases Spring 2026 schedule
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 12, 2026) — The University of Kentucky Alumni Association and UK Human Resources STEPS Temporary Employment have announced the Winter/Spring 2026 Job Club schedule.
The purpose of Job Club is to provide a positive environment for job seekers to meet, connect, share and learn. Job Club is for you if you are motivated and currently out of work, underemployed or looking to make a career transition. The free group is open to the public and meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month from 9-10 a.m. via Zoom. Recruiters and employers are always welcome and may share active job leads in the chat box with Job Club attendees, in the Job Club of Kentucky Sharing Community on LinkedIn or by completing the form found at ukalumni.net/newjoblead.
For questions or comments, contact jobclub@uky.edu.
Below is the Job Club Schedule for Spring 2026.
Jan. 13: Surviving a Layoff
Presented by Caroline Francis, director of UK Alumni Career Services, and Amy Gamblin, associate director of Alumni Career Services.
A layoff can shake your confidence, but it can also be a turning point. This webinar will walk you through the exact steps to stabilize, regroup and re-enter the job market with focus and resilience. Learn practical strategies to protect your well-being and accelerate your next career move.
Jan. 27: Think Like a Spokesperson: Communicate with Clarity, Confidence & Purpose
Presented by Katie Neal, principal and CEO, Katie Neal Coaching & Consulting.
In this interactive session, participants will discover how to harness essential media training techniques — such as handling tough questions on the spot — to elevate their communication skills and executive presence. By learning to think like a spokesperson, you’ll be equipped to communicate with clarity and confidence in high-stakes moments that matter most in your career.
Real world-applications include:
- Interviewing for a new role or promotion: Deliver clear, concise and compelling responses.
- Networking conversations: Make a memorable impression in minutes.
- Negotiating offers: Handle tough questions with confidence.
- Presenting to senior leaders or stakeholders: Position yourself as credible and influential.
- Client pitches, team meetings or panels: Strengthen your presence and persuasiveness.
Whether you’re in transition, advancing within your current organization or looking to expand your influence, this session will help you communicate your value with purpose and impact.
Feb. 10: Creating Your Career Compass — Planning for the Unknowns in Your Career Journey
Presented by Pat Fligge, career coach, PRF Coaching.
Career coach Pat Fligge loves helping people navigate the complex world of career exploration and job searching, while minimizing the typical burnout and frustration of the process. Fligge’s goal is to guide clients through their job search with a positive mindset, using proven tactics to help them reach their career goals. Whether you know exactly what you want next in your career or you’re struggling to determine a new direction, Fligge adapts his nearly 15 years of proven coaching experience to help his clients clarify and reach their career goals.
Feb. 24: How and When to Make a Career Pivot
Presented by Allison McWilliams, Ph.D., assistant vice president, Mentoring and Alumni Personal & Career Development, Wake Forest University.
Today’s job market presents numerous challenges, including layoffs, hiring freezes, and rapidly-evolving skills and knowledge needs. It’s difficult enough for those entering the workforce for the first time, but what does it mean if you are an experienced professional looking to make a pivot? In this webinar, Williams will walk through what we know about the current market, how to know when it’s time to make a change, and share key strategies for building and executing an intentional plan that works for you.
March 10: Crafting a Resume That Stands Out
Presented by Keana Webber, associate vice president of HR and Learning Development, UK Federal Credit Union.
In a competitive job market, your resume has only seconds to make an impression — so how do you ensure it rises to the top? In this dynamic 60-minute session, attendees will learn practical, insider-driven strategies to transform an ordinary resume into a powerful personal branding tool. Whether you’re entering the workforce or bringing years of experience, this session will show you how to highlight your strengths, tell your professional story with clarity and align your resume with what employers are really looking for. Participants will walk away with actionable tips, fresh insights from an HR leader who reviews resumes daily, and the confidence to present themselves in a way that gets noticed.
March 24: Strategic Upskilling: Don’t Just Learn — Leverage
Presented by Mandy Connelly, director of UK Graham Office of Career Management.
There’s no shortage of courses, certifications or “must-learn” skill lists but not all learning moves your career forward. This workshop equips professionals with a framework for choosing development opportunities that actually pay off. You’ll learn how to assess market demand, identify complementary skills and avoid investing time and money into learning that doesn’t serve your goals. If you’re ready to improve with intention, this session is for you.
April 14: Job Search Strategy Tips from HR & Recruiter Panel
Join us for a panel discussion with Human Resources specialists and recruiters who will share job search tips that will help prepare you for your next career transition. Themes will include interviewing strategies, how to answer difficult questions, salary negotiation and networking.
April 28: Interview Intelligence: How to Prepare, Perform and Succeed
Presented by Jarrod Winn, senior talent acquisition, Fischer Homes.
In today’s competitive job market, mastering the interview process requires more than just good answers; it demands strategy, confidence and preparation. In this session, we’ll explore how to anticipate employer expectations, craft compelling responses and communicate your value effectively. Attendees will leave with practical tools to prepare, perform and succeed in any interview setting.
Job Club Lunch Bunch
Takes place noon-1 p.m. ET Jan. 20, Feb. 17 and March 17, at Puccini’s, 833 Chevy Chase Place, Lexington, Ky.
Looking for a midday boost in your job search? Join us for a motivational free lunch hour 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.
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.