What will universities and employers need to do to help graduates secure great jobs in the near future? It starts with a conversation on the changing job market and what employability looks like for students.
While Texas continues to maintain a robust job market for graduating students, the nature of that market is shifting. Skills and competencies and an emphasis on internships and experience are making this pathway narrower for students.
On Oct. 25, Texas State University and the President’s Commission on Student Success hosted the campus's highly anticipated Elevate Employability Summit. This summit brought together students, faculty, industry leaders, and university leaders to discuss the evolving landscape of employability and workforce development.
For that conversation, TXST invited several top employers to campus to facilitate this discussion, including Indeed, Huron, Oracle, and RBFCU Credit Union, to have an open discussion on how TXST can collaborate for student success.
To highlight efforts in employability, TXST Career Services also presented the inaugural Alumni Pathways Report. This report, produced by Lightcast (an economic forecasting company), sheds light on more than 60,000 TXST alumni and their career paths. This critical report will help the university better understand what happens to students after graduation.
Important highlights included 87% of TXST graduates staying and working in the state of Texas after graduation, nearly 40% of graduates will continue their education at some point after graduation, and Austin has the highest concentration of Bobcat alumni than any other city.
The summit began with a warm welcome from Cynthia Hernandez, Ph.D., vice president for the Division of Student Success. She highlighted the university’s recent achievements and ongoing initiatives to enhance student success and employability.
During her address, Hernandez emphasized the university’s commitment to providing practical experiences that connect college to career.
“By offering internships, co-op programs, and work-integrated learning opportunities, employers can give students hands-on experience and a real-world understanding of their chosen professions,” she said. “This practical exposure is invaluable in helping students develop the skills, confidence, and professional networks that will support their career progression.”
Panel Discussions and Workshops
One key feature of the summit was a series of panel discussions and workshops designed to provide attendees with valuable insights and practical advice. It is rare for hiring managers from four major employers to spend time in one space to discuss employability, and these companies spoke to more than 140 faculty and staff and nearly 60 students.
These industry experts shared their perspectives on what employers are looking for in candidates and how students can stand out in a competitive job market.
Matt Berndt, head of Indeed’s Job Search Academy and a panelist, summed up the day when he said, “If I can get college students to work on one thing, it would be developing their story. Storytelling is the best skill job seekers can develop to give employers the best insight into who you are and why they should hire you.”
Networking Opportunities
The summit also offered ample networking opportunities, allowing students to connect with potential employers and industry professionals. Networking opportunities were held at the end of the panel to facilitate meaningful conversations and foster relationships that could lead to internships, mentorships, and job offers. Many attendees found these interactions invaluable, providing a chance to make a lasting impression on recruiters and learn more about various career paths.
The Elevate Employability Summit was part of the Elevate Student Success Summit, a series of campuswide engagements focused on how TXST can focus on developing the conditions that matter for success. The Elevate Student Success series is sponsored by the President’s Commission on Student Success and is presented three times a year.
The next Elevate Student Success Summit will be held in April 2025 with more details coming soon.
