For the third straight year, the University of South Carolina Career Center has proudly partnered with universities around North and South Carolina to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the future of work and career development.
USC hosted the two-day summit, Redefining Career Readiness: How AI & Innovation are Shaping the Future of Hire Education, at the University Conference Center in the Close-Hipp Building on July 14 and July 15. The event built on the momentum of previous gatherings held in Greenville, S.C. (2023), and Chapel Hill, N.C. (2024).
This year’s conference welcomed 17 participating institutions from around the state and southeastern U.S and 10 employers. The event was made possible through the support of the Darla Moore School of Business Executive Education program, VMock and the conference's steering committee. Additionally, Amazon served as a supporting sponsor. Both Vmock and Amazon provide key AI career development resources, pushing forward the conversation of the event.
“It could not be a better time to be embracing the thoughts around AI and its use in workforce development,” says Rex Tolliver, Vice President for Student Affairs and Academic Support. “The conversation we are having is not about who or what AI is going to replace but how we are going to use it to enhance the work and to improve the processes to provide new opportunities for our students.”
Helen Powers, Director in the USC Career Center and board member for the South Carolina Association of Colleges & Employers (SCACE), launched the summit series in 2023 in response to rapidly evolving trends in generative AI.
“We saw a need to get ahead of the curve and create a space for collaboration, exploration, and leadership in this area,” she says. “This summit is about making AI more accessible and actionable for those of us guiding students in their career journey.”
This year, conference sessions focused on understanding generative AI and how it can be used in higher education to better cater to Generation Z and a changing workplace landscape. Joel Wooten, who serves as academic director of the master’s in Business Analytics program and an associate professor of Management Science at the Darla Moore School of Business, gave the opening keynote address, “Understanding the AI Landscape.”
“It does two things. You can use it personally to prepare yourself, look at a resume, cover letters, practice for interviews and know what companies are looking for. It’s also developing a skill that employers are going to be seeking, knowing what different applications are capable of,” Wooten says. “I’m going to use ChatGPT for the things it’s really good at, but AI should be an assistant and not the worker.”
Employer partners at the conference say they want to see candidates coming out of college with a strong knowledge of how to use AI to their advantage while maintaining integrity and genuineness in their applications.
“I’m using this first as a networking source and also a chance to learn about AI and how it impacts the industry standards,” Alan Plunket, a regional recruiter for Fastenal and an employer member on the SCACE board, says. “I’ve seen resumes, cover letters and follow-ups that have some of the telltale signs of AI writing, which I don’t mind because they’re still going the extra step to reach out and to polish up their communication skills.”
As the world of work continues to evolve, USC’s Career Center remains at the forefront — bringing together educators, employers and thought leaders to ensure students are not only prepared for the future but empowered to shape it.
Mark Anthony
Safia Anwari
Mark Brown
Erica Elbery
Jessica Gibson
Vicki Hamby
Ashley Hubbard
Kristin Kelly
Nicole Montgomery
Erin Mullen
Helen Powers
Andrea Williams
Brooke Brown (UNC-Charlotte)
Neil Burton (Clemson)
Lewis Hightower (Anderson University)
Caitlin Moore (UNC Chapel Hill)
Ellen Pate (Tri-County Community College)
Dave Sargent (Clemson)
Jennifer Stoner (Furman)
Verne Walker (Coastal Carolina)