Purdue HTM Hosts Professional Development Week, Equipping Students for Career Success

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West Lafayette, Ind. – The White Lodging-J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Purdue University held its annual Professional Development Week from October 22-25, offering students hands-on opportunities to hone their professional skills and make meaningful connections with industry leaders. The week began with a high-impact Professional Development Day on October 22, sponsored by Cintas, followed by a bustling Career Fair on October 23 and concluded with the celebrated Spirit of Hospitality Summit.

Professional Development Day: Laying the Foundation for Career Success

Professional Development Day was designed to equip students with essential career-readiness skills, focusing on resume-building, interview preparation, personal branding, and the art of an elevator pitch. Supported by 26 representatives from 13 companies and three faculty volunteers, the event attracted nearly 200 students eager to build their confidence and refine the skills needed to stand out in a competitive job market. Through hands-on workshops and real-time feedback, students gained insights into how to present themselves effectively and seize career opportunities with professionalism and poise.

Career Fair: Connecting Students with Industry Opportunities

On October 23, Professional Development Week continued with the highly anticipated Career Fair. This year’s fair saw an impressive turnout, with 463 students engaging with 71 companies, represented by 188 corporate professionals. The Career Fair was a unique opportunity for students to engage in networking, on-the-spot interviews, and follow-up arrangements that provided valuable insights into various career paths within hospitality, tourism, financial counseling and planning, retail management, and sales management. The event offered direct access to recruitment and internship opportunities, positioning students for future success.

Culminating Event: The Spirit of Hospitality Summit

Professional Development Week concluded with the Spirit of Hospitality Summit, an annual gathering that brought together students, alumni, and industry professionals across the school’s four majors. This year’s summit united “Experience Engineers” from diverse fields, reinforcing Purdue HTM’s commitment to equipping students with the skills they need to excel in any field they choose. For more information on the summit, visit the official Spirit of Hospitality Summit news release.

Student-Led Leadership: Ensuring a Seamless Experience

The Professional Development Week was coordinated by seven student leaders and one graduate assistant, each playing a critical role in ensuring the smooth execution of the events. Their dedication and expertise helped create an environment conducive to professional growth and meaningful industry connections:

  • Olivia Owens, Director of Registration and Housing
  • Anneliese Hahn, Director of Networking Reception
  • Kiersten Oakley, Director of Communication and Industry Engagement
  • Ansley Warren, Director of Marketing
  • Sydney Case, Director of Career Fair
  • Hailey Davis, Director of Attendee Engagement & Gamification
  • Kedron Knobloch, Director of Speaker Engagement
  • Jackie Chen, serving as Secretary and Graduate Assistant

The success of the week was bolstered by the guidance of faculty and staff members Barclay Gibbs (Chair of Professional Development Day and Career Fair), Abby Lillpop (Co-Chair of the Spirit of Hospitality Summit), Dr. Shawn Jung (Co-Chair of the Spirit of Hospitality Summit), and Robert Ooms (Lead Event Planner from Purdue Conferences and Event Design). Their mentorship and strategic direction helped refine the students’ plans and ensured a smooth execution of each event.

Through a robust lineup of events and the support of dedicated industry partners and faculty, Purdue HTM’s Professional Development Week continues to empower students to navigate the professional world confidently and purposefully, offering a valuable foundation for their future careers.