Upcoming events

    • July 16, 2025
    • 8:30 AM
    • July 17, 2025
    • 12:30 PM
    • Columbia, SC
    • 60
    Register


    Redefining Career Readiness: How AI & Innovation Are Shaping The Future of HIRE Education 

    Hotel Information

    Graduate by Hilton | 1619 Pendleton Street, Columbia, SC
    Click here to book your hotel room!

    Graduate King room: $163/night

    Graduate Queen room: $163/night

    Complimentary parking included in the room block.

    Block available for Tuesday, July 15th and Wednesday, July 16th.  Rooms must be reserved by June 15th.  


    Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Columbia | 1200 Pickens Street, Columbia, SC
    Click here to book your hotel room!

    King room: $129/night

    2 Queen beds room: $129/night

    Complimentary parking included in the room block.

    Block available for Tuesday, July 15th and Wednesday, July 16th. Hilton Garden Inn did not provide a book by date, however we only have a certain number of rooms reserved so please book early.


    All Symposium Sessions will be held in the Close Hipp Building on the University of South Carolina campus, in the 8th Floor Conference Center.  On site parking will be available at no cost to attendees with more details to follow for registrants.  

    • Close Hipp Building 1705 College Street Columbia, SC 29201


    Conference Overview 

    Join us for a multi-day exploration of AI’s impact on work, career development, and higher education. This conference brings together industry leaders, career professionals, and educators to discuss emerging trends, best practices, and the evolving role of AI in recruitment, career readiness, and workforce development. 

    Schedule At A Glance 

    July 14 – (VIRTUAL)  

    12:00pm – 1:30pm    Pre-Conference Event

    AI Now: Understanding Generative AI’s Impact on Work, Learning, and Career Readiness

    Ken Sanney, J.D., Director, School of Accounting, Finance, Information Systems and Business Law; Professor of Business Law, Western Carolina University

    In this pre-conference session, Ken Sanney returns to the AI Symposium to provide a clear, engaging, and timely update on the evolving world of Generative AI. Designed to bring participants up to speed before the in-person events, this session will cover key developments in the AI space over the past year, including advances in generative tools, shifting adoption trends across industries, and emerging implications for workforce development and career readiness.

    Ken will contextualize these changes through the lens of higher education and career services, exploring how AI is reshaping the skills employers seek, the tools students use to prepare for the job market, and the way institutions deliver guidance and support. Participants will leave with a refreshed understanding of what GenAI is (and isn’t), how it's being used in hiring and work contexts, and how Career Services professionals can strategically adapt.

    This session is ideal for those looking to build or reinforce their foundational understanding of AI as a springboard for deeper discussions throughout the symposium.


    July 16 -- (IN PERSON)          

    8:15am – 9:00am       Registration Check-in

    Networking and Light Continental Breakfast

    8:45am – 9:00am       Welcome and Opening Remarks  

    9:00am – 10:15am    Keynote Speaker (Kick-off builds on the foundation of the pre-con event)

    Understanding the AI Landscape

    Joel Wooten, Associate Professor, Management Science, Darla Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina

    What is this new AI-driven world we're living in? How did we get here – and what does it mean for you? This session will provide an engaging overview of the current landscape of artificial intelligence, framing its context and unpacking its real-world impact. We'll demystify AI through hands-on demonstrations of powerful tools that are reshaping the way we work, create, and communicate. Whether you're an AI novice or already experimenting with the latest platforms, you’ll leave with an appreciation of what can be achieved and a better understanding of how it will impact work (and yes, ChatGPT helped generate this abstract!). 


    10:30am – 11:30am  Session

    GenZ Meets GenAI: Reframing Career Services in a Disrupted World (The Story of the Clemson Career Innovation Lab from Idea to Inception)

    David Sargent, Director of Information Technology, Center for Career and Professional Development, Clemson University

    Maggie Erickson, Assistant Director of Career Development, Center for Career and Professional Development, Clemson University

    As career services in higher education confronts generative AI, student disengagement, and employer misalignment, we must innovate to meet the moment. This session introduces Clemson University’s Career Innovation Lab: an emerging model that blends Life Design Thinking with GenAI literacy to reimagine how students prepare for the world of work. The Lab trains undergraduate interns to serve as peer consultants, using AI tools ethically and effectively to support fellow students, faculty, and local businesses. Early outcomes include increased student confidence, broader engagement with career services, and partnerships across seven colleges and 37 community collaborators.

    Attendees will gain practical strategies for launching innovation within institutional constraints, using design thinking to scaffold GenAI integration, and fostering multidisciplinary collaboration. The session closes with an open invitation to co-create future-ready, student-centered models that position career services as a hub for lifelong adaptability and impact.


    11:30am – 12:00pm  Lunch


    12:00pm – 12:45pm Executive Education Interactive Session

    Mark Cecchini, Associate Dean for Executive Education, Professor and Department Chair, School of Accounting, Darla Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina


    12:45pm – 2:00pm    Industry Panel

    Work Reimagined: What Higher Ed Should Know About an AI-Driven Workforce 

    Amanda Falwell, Amazon

    Frederic Miskawi, CGI

    Wendy Lawhead, Pfizer

    AI is rapidly transforming industries, job roles, and the skills workers will need to thrive in the new workplace.  In this panel, industry leaders will share how AI is reshaping the workforce and what higher education practitioners should know as they prepare students for this new reality. Learn what skills matter most—from ethical judgment to digital fluency—and how to better align academic preparation with evolving employer needs.


    2:15pm – 3:15pm       AI Ethics Panel

    Responsible Intelligence: Navigating AI Use in Academics and the Workplace 

    Adrian Anderson, Assistant Director of Academic Integrity, University of South Carolina

    Tony D’Elia, Chief Privacy Officer, State of South Carolina

    Matthew Jay, Chief Operating Officer, PC Techware

    As AI use expands in both classrooms and the workplace, students must navigate questions of integrity, transparency, and responsible application.  This panel will explore ethical imperatives of AI use in academic settings and professional environments.  Join us as we examine the grey zones, expectations, and best practices shaping a new era of learning and working with AI.


    3:30pm – 4:30pm       AI Hot Topics

    Facilitated Roundtable Discussions

    Join us to close out Day One with an interactive roundtable discussion exploring today’s hottest AI topics shaping work, learning, and career development. This informal, facilitated session offers space for dialogue, questions, and fresh perspectives — featuring special insights from a representative of our Gold Sponsor, VMock. Bring your curiosity and join the conversation!


    4:30pm – 4:45pm       Closing Remarks

    5:00pm – 6:00pm       Social Time and Networking – Location TBD (food & drinks on your own)

    *Dinner on your own. (We’ll provide restaurant suggestions for participants.)


    July 17 -- (IN PERSON)          

    8:15am – 9:00am       Networking and Light Continental Breakfast

    8:45am – 9:00am       Welcome and Opening Remarks  

    9:00am – 10:00am    Session

    Candidate to Colleague: AI Tools to Leverage and Improve the Job Search, Interview Process, and Placement Outcome

    Douglas “Doug” Hanslip, Director, Graduate Career Education and External and Employer Relations, Darla Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina

    In today's dynamic job market, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) tools can transform the job search from a reactive process into a proactive, strategic campaign. This presentation explores how integrating AI platforms such as OpenAI or ChatGPT, JobScan, 12Twenty, Career OS, HireLogic, and VMock can significantly enhance each stage of a candidate’s journey—from employer targeting to resume tailoring, interview preparation, and post-interview follow-ups. Attendees will learn how ChatGPT/OpenAI’s natural language capabilities can craft personalized, compelling cover letters and thank-you notes in seconds. JobScan optimizes resumes to align with applicant tracking systems (ATS), boosting visibility. 12Twenty provides real-time market insights and employer data to refine targeting. Career OS offers AI-driven coaching and application tracking, while VMock delivers instant feedback on resumes based on industry benchmarks. HireLogic leverages interview analytics to improve candidate responses and hiring match. Together, these tools form a powerful AI-augmented job search strategy that maximizes efficiency, personalization, and effectiveness. By embracing this AI-enhanced approach, job seekers can significantly improve their marketability and increase their likelihood of securing the right role faster and with greater confidence. 


    10:30am – 11:45am  Faculty Panel

    AI in Instruction: Preparing AI-Fluent Graduates for Emerging Opportunities

    Gareth Rees-White, Instructor, English Department, University of South Carolina

    Byeongwon Ha, Assistant Professor of Media Arts, School of Visual Art and Design, University of South

    Allison Byxbe, Professional Communication Lecturer, Darla Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina

    Gloria Washington, Instructional Designer and Educational Developer, Center for Teaching Excellence, University of South Carolina

    Scott Crittenden, Associate Professor, Physics and Astronomy, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, University of South Carolina

    Faculty in every discipline are rethinking how they teach, assess, and engage students in response to AI's pervasive influence.  In this panel, instructors will share how they’re integrating AI into coursework and preparing students with the fluency needed for a rapidly evolving job market. Learn how academic innovation is aligning with industry expectations across campus.

    11:45am – 12:00pm  Closing Remarks




    Symposium Underwriters:


    Clemson University


    Symposium Sponsors:

    Gold

                   




    Silver




    Bronze





Past events

May 28, 2025 2025 SCACE Annual Conference - Homegrown Talent: From Harbor to Horizons
November 06, 2024 "Gen-erate Impact: Engage & Retain Gen Z"
May 15, 2024 2024 Annual Conference Employer Visit - The Greenville Drive at Fluor Field
May 15, 2024 2024 SCACE Annual Conference
March 15, 2024 Savannah River National Laboratory Drive-In Tour
December 12, 2023 Artificial Intelligence Symposium
October 30, 2023 Haunted By Possibilities: Fostering Neurodiversity in Career Development
May 17, 2023 2023 Annual Conference Employer Visit
May 17, 2023 2023 SCACE Annual Conference
March 30, 2023 Spring 2023 Ingevity - North Charleston
November 17, 2022 Fall 2022 Drive-In: BMW TXcellence Training Building- Greer, SC
July 19, 2022 Handshake Lunch and Learn
May 11, 2022 2022 SCACE Annual Conference
May 11, 2022 2022 Annual Conference Employer Visit
May 26, 2021 2021 SCACE Annual Conference
December 10, 2020 Fall 2020 SCACE Membership Lunch & Learn
August 12, 2020 South Carolina Statewide Virtual Career Fair
February 20, 2020 Spring Webinar: Master Advanced LinkedIn Techniques
November 13, 2019 Fall 2019 Drive-In: Arthrex, Inc - Pendleton, SC
May 22, 2019 2019 SCACE Annual Conference
March 15, 2019 Spring 2019 Drive-In: Nephron Pharmaceuticals
December 20, 2018 Holiday Meetup - Midlands
December 12, 2018 Holiday Meetup - Lowcountry
December 10, 2018 Holiday Meetup - Upstate
May 20, 2018 2018 NC/SCACE Joint Conference: Better Together
January 24, 2018 AHEAD's Career & Placement Special Interest Group & Job Accommodation Network Webinar
November 29, 2017 Fall Columbia SCACE Meet-Up
November 29, 2017 Fall Upstate Meet-up
November 29, 2017 Fall Charlotte SCACE Meet-Up
October 23, 2017 Fall 2017 Drive-In: Lowcountry Graduate Center & Boeing
May 21, 2017 2017 SCACE Annual Conference
March 10, 2017 Spring 2017 Drive-In: College of Charleston
February 16, 2017 SCACE / IT-ology Networking Experience
December 16, 2016 SCACE Social: Low Country
December 14, 2016 SCACE Social: Midlands
December 13, 2016 SCACE Social: Upstate
November 10, 2016 Fall Webinar featuring ITology
October 14, 2016 Fall 2016 Drive In @ Red Ventures
September 08, 2016 Lunch & Learn Webinar | Linked In: Beyond your Imagination
July 21, 2016 SCACE Lunch and Learn Webinar: Linked In: Beyond your Imagination
June 15, 2016 SoACE: 2nd Annual Employer Relations Summit
May 16, 2016 Wine & Design
May 15, 2016 2016 SCACE Annual Conference
March 11, 2016 SCACE Spring Drive In @ Wofford College
May 18, 2015 2015 SCACE Annual Conference
October 15, 2014 2014 Fall Drive-In @ Shealy Electrical
Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software