Internships, Career Planning, and Engagement in a Changing Landscape

Tuesday, October 21, 2025

1:30 PM - 2:45 PM CST

Presenter(s)

Jason Langdon

Senior Vice President, Client Success
PeopleGrove
Cathy Francois

Director of Career Services
University of Maryland Global Campus
Mike Summers

Chief Career Officer and Executive Director, Matthews Center for Career Development
Davidson College
Annette McLaughlin (she/her/hers)

Director of Career Center
Fordham University

Internships and early career experiences have become more than résumé builders; they are now essential stepping stones to lifelong success. Yet the terrain is shifting: students face evolving labor market expectations, institutions must adapt to dynamic employer demands, and global learning opportunities require intentional alignment with career readiness goals.
This session will explore how career planning and student engagement. woven across the entire student and alumni lifecycle, can transform outcomes. Panelists will share concrete examples of how universities, employers, and alumni networks are working together to create more equitable and accessible pathways to meaningful careers.

Through stories of mentorship, innovative employer collaboration, and alumni engagement, attendees will gain actionable insights into how institutions can better prepare students for success in an increasingly interconnected, global workforce.