The UAB Career Center brought career readiness to the forefront during Spring Career Week, held February 9–12 across campus. Designed to equip students with the tools, confidence and connections needed for life after graduation, the week highlighted the power of preparation and partnership in action.
Hosted in collaboration with several departments across campus, Spring Career Week reflected the Division of Student Affairs’ strategic priority of fostering student success through career readiness, experiential learning and holistic development.
“Nationally, six in 10 college students report feelings of anxiety around their job search. Preparation can help reduce some of that stress, but so does belonging,” said Lauren Cotant, director of the UAB Career Center. “When Blazers feel confident in what they are wearing, how they present themselves, and who they know, they show up ready. Career Week helped students strengthen networks, gain access to professional clothing, and build their professional toolkit so they could move forward with confidence and a stronger sense of belonging in professional spaces."
The week began with practical preparation opportunities designed to help students put their best foot forward. Hosted in the Heritage Hall lobby, Resume Ready offered fast, personalized resume feedback from Career Center staff. The drop-in format ensured students could refine their materials before meeting employers at the Spring Career Fair, reinforcing the division’s commitment to removing barriers.
During the Suit Up for Success event in the Hill Student Center’s first-floor dining area, students received free professional attire provided by the UAB Career Closet to help them feel career fair–ready and interview confident. Meanwhile, in the Ryals Building Lobby, Public Health students connected with Career Center reps to explore tailored resources and career pathways within their field, demonstrating the importance of meeting students where they are academically and professionally.
The week also created space for inspiration alongside preparation. Another opportunity was presented for students that featured Angela May, a double UAB alumna, who shared her journey from the humanities classroom to the Birmingham Museum of Art. Students got the chance to hear her story, which highlighted the value of transferable skills and lifelong learning, reinforcing the division’s goal of empowering students to translate their education into meaningful careers.
To complete their career fair readiness, students wrapped up their preparation with professional headshots at the Hill Student Center’s Iris photo booth. Headshots are used now to update LinkedIn profiles and personal portfolios, giving students a more polished digital presence, an increasingly critical component of career readiness in today’s workforce.
All of these efforts culminated in the Spring Career Fair, held in the Hill Student Center Ballrooms. There, students connected directly with employers from a variety of industries. From first-year students exploring possibilities to seniors securing interviews, the fair created tangible pathways from classroom to career.
“Career Week provided me with a reasonable timeline to ensure that every aspect of my job application or professional development journey was addressed,” said JaLynn Coley, a senior Biomedical Science major. “I’m an aspiring primary care physician who loves any chance to network with people in varying fields on behalf of my future and to refer to my friends. All in all, Career Week helped me feel confident in my abilities to be proficient in the workforce after graduation.”
Spring Career Week engaged Blazers in hands-on career preparation and networking opportunities. The Career Fair featured 46 employers across 21 industries, including healthcare, government, education, and nonprofit work, connecting students to a wide range of professional pathways. Fourteen UAB alumni returned as recruiters, demonstrating the power of Blazers recruiting Blazers.