Initially launched to centralize recruiting knowledge and encourage career exploration, the Industry Nights program, piloted by the Center for Career Development, has opened the door to an innovative engagement model that facilitates impactful and genuine connections between employers and students.
Through the program, the CCD aims to address competitive industries, provide a venue for students to learn about accelerated timelines and encourage students to connect with employers they may not have considered before.
Industry Nights engages students in all stages of career development from seniors ready to apply for professional roles to underclassmen seeking to learn about a particular industry. By including both educational and networking opportunities in one setting, the program seeks to foster a supportive environment that allows some students to simply come to learn about the highlighted industry and lets others form meaningful connections with alumni and recruiters from employers of interest.
Three criteria are considered when organizers are developing an Industry Night event: student interest in a specific industry to ensure student attendance, a significant pool of prospective employers, and the prospective employer’s ability to offer quality, full-time internships and volunteer roles of interest to student participants.
These touchstones help host high-impact, mutually beneficial events that meaningfully engage employers and students and ensure a dynamic session that educates students and connects them with employers to learn more about a particular industry and its opportunities.
Since the program was launched in August 2022, the CCD has hosted 10 Industry Nights. Nearly 400 Rice students have attended at least one of four events since August 2023, and six of our seven academic schools have been represented. Across all Industry Night events thus far, 54% of attendees have been freshmen and sophomores engaging in early, critical career exploration.
While the CCD continues to host Industry Nights for popular industries such as consulting and finance, the center has also branched out with Social Impact Careers Night, Tech Careers Night, Policy Internships and Careers Night, and Research Careers Night.
The CCD has partnered with various departments and organizations on campus to execute these events and engage relevant student populations, including the Rice Business Society, the Social Policy Analysis Student Advisory Committee, the Center for Civic Leadership, and the Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry.
The flexible format of these events makes it possible to regularly host events, engage students with varied interests, and create signature events that inspire Rice students to attend. The program’s offerings show students that the CCD is here to support them in every stage of their career development.
Shelby Flavin-Rosales
Recruiting Coordinator and Alumni Liaison
Camille Elmore
Associate Director for Employer Engagement and Data Management Center for Career Development