Building Career-Ready Anteaters Through Partnership

UCI-OC Alliance and the UC Irvine Division of Career Pathways partnered together this past fall to deliver an essential career preparation event for students across various schools. This collaboration stems from the Alliance's sharpened focus on career preparation and workforce readiness.

Campus liaison Leigh Poirier, Director for Strategic Services at DCP has been instrumental since the inception of the Alliance, stating, “We’re thrilled to bring Alliance members and students into Career Pathways for this fantastic collaboration”.

Over the course of two hours, students gained valuable skills and insights that will help them step into their careers with confidence. The event covered topics ranging from crafting compelling elevator pitches and discovering internship search strategies, to refining your professional brand. Students also learned how to leverage online platforms such as LinkedIn and Handshake to unlock opportunities and connect with potential employers.

During the second half of the event, students enjoyed a complimentary lunch while hearing from Alliance members Jessica Fernandez, Roger Nieves, and Daniel Campos in a panel discussion on addressing and navigating imposter syndrome. The panelists spoke candidly and vulnerably, drawing from their personal experiences and offering unique approaches to navigating self-doubt and building workplace confidence. This marked an exciting milestone in the Alliance's commitment to career readiness and post-gradation success.

Acknowledgements: Special thanks to Alliance members Brandon Ramirez, Jackie Patterson, Teresa Saldivar, Monica Guillena, and Monica Alfaro-Welling who donated professional attire to the Division of Career Pathways Fresh Fits Professional Clothing Pop Up.  Nearly 200 students received professional attire and are now interview ready thanks to your support.