2:30 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
Offered at 2:30 p.m. – Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021
Includes “On Demand” sessions which are available for viewing at any time
Includes “On Demand” sessions which are available for viewing at any time
ISC 260
Dr. Per Anderson, professor emeritus, Religion
Dr. Mark Krejci, professor, Psychology
How does the Christian faith understand human work? Are humans meant to work? Can work
Hanson Orchestral Rehearsal Hall – Hvidsten Hall of Music
Nat Dickey, professor/chair, Music
Making music, acting, dancing, painting, photography, ceramics, sculpture, composing, conducting, directing, writing stories, novels, films, or plays – for many of us, these are among the greatest sources of joy and fulfillment in life, especially when doing them with others who share our passion. Have you ever wondered how you can start or continue doing these things you love at college and beyond? We often feel pressure to focus on job and career skills to the exclusion of other things, but did you know that the ways of thinking, knowing, and doing inherent in the arts can lead to better employment opportunities AND help you lead a more fulfilling life? This panel, including examples from Concordia faculty, students, and alumni, will offer multiple perspectives on how participating in the arts can enrich their lives and opportunities now and into the future and give each participant an interactive, creative opportunity to explore how the arts can be a rewarding part of their life in a myriad of ways.
Birkeland Lounge
Susan Larson, Provost and Dean of the College; professor, Psychology
Sonja Wentling, professor, History; Program Director, Global Studies
Members of the Professional Growth Committee
In higher education, we talk regularly about what it means to be a student at a 21st-century college; about the ways the student experience has changed and how higher education is responding to external pressures. Much less time is spent in conversation about the impact these changes have on the role and work of faculty. Guided by our reflection on the goals and vision for “Concordia Leads: The Plan for 2030” and the changing landscape of higher education and its impact on small, private liberal arts colleges, Professional Growth Committee (PGC) has been holding listening sessions centered around the question of “what does it mean to be faculty at a 21st-century liberal arts college?” Members will share highlights from those conversations and facilitate discussion guided by five essential elements: promoting equity among academic appointments, protecting academic freedom, balance and flexibility, fostering professional growth, and promoting collegiality and a greater sense of community. They’ll discuss how these elements resonate with Concordia faculty, what else should be considered essential for faculty work, and how the job revolution may shape faculty work in the future.
OM 332
Darrell Stolle, Chair Department of Education
Given how rapidly the labor market is changing, career indecision is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it might even be desirable, especially if one is prepared for emergent circumstances. This interactive presentation will explore strategies to position oneself to take advantage of unexpected, or chance events and turn them into opportunities for career/life enhancement.
This session is also available for viewing on Zoom.
Jones A/B
2:30 Session Only
Kris Olson, director, Career Center
Jasi O'Connor, director, Institutional Effectiveness
For new college graduates, career readiness is the key to successful entrance into the workforce. But what skills are employers seeking in new graduates? What do students need to do to prepare for the future, and how is Concordia providing these opportunities for students? This session will explore the skills and abilities employers rate as essential for workplace success. We will also share data about how prepared Concordia students are for the world of work, as well as experiences students can explore throughout college that will help them become more prepared for the world of work.
This session is also available for viewing on Zoom.
Barry Auditorium - 2:30 Session Only
Members of Cobbers Mean Business
For most of us, “work life balance” sounds more like a pipedream than a reality. Research suggests that 77% of Americans are working more than 40 hours a week, that the average American commute is almost 52 minutes roundtrip, and that nearly a third of Americans are also working on the weekends. At some point, you can't help but ask: are we “living to work or working to live?” This concurrent session will involve a four-person panel composed of former Cobbers who are currently working in business and communications fields discussing their experiences as young adults in the workforce. They will provide personal anecdotes about their experience dealing with this conundrum and discuss how their perspectives have evolved throughout their years in the working world.
AVAILABLE ON DEMAND- Click here to view
Dr. Shontarius D. Aikens, assistant professor of management, Offutt School of Business
Dr. Meredith G. Wagner, associate professor/chair, Nutrition, Dietetics and Exercise Science; director, Combined Dietetic Internship and Master of Science in Nutrition
This session will feature an overview of five key principles involved in salary negotiations. Each principle will be explained in an easy-to-understand manner so as to be beneficial to all attendees, whether they have a background in business or have never worked for pay. In addition, we will provide real-world examples from different disciplines of how to apply each principle when negotiating salary. At the conclusion of the presentation, attendees will be provided with a list of resources pertaining to salary negotiation for them to reference in the future.
AVAILABLE ON DEMAND - Click here to view
Bree Langemo, JD, director, Entrepreneurship Center; assistant professor, Law and Entrepreneurship
Heather McDougall ’06, CEO and co-founder of Bogobrush
Kara Lee ’20, founder of Kara Lee Creative Co.
Laura Caroon ’06, president and co-founder of Ladyboss Midwest
The world has changed in ways that now requires everyone to think and act like an entrepreneur. An entrepreneurial mindset shifts our perspective in a way that exposes opportunities, ignites ambition, and fosters innovation. And, in today's rapidly changing world, an entrepreneurial mindset is essential for individuals to adapt and thrive whether they work in an established organization, start something new, or work in the gig economy. A moderated discussion with some of Concordia’s most entrepreneurial graduates will include: understanding the new world of work and the need to be entrepreneurial no matter one’s chosen path; embracing entrepreneurship as a mindset that can empower all to be opportunity finders, problem solvers, and value creators; and learning how Concordia graduates create value by being entrepreneurial in the work they do.
Additional Resource: "The Artist Entrepreneur" Book Talk with Dr. Ron McCurdy