This April, the Charlottesville-based Darden Career Center Employer Engagement and Recruiting team hopped in cars and made the short trip up to Washington, D.C. for the Recruiter Roundtable. With planning for next year underway, this event is an annual opportunity to come together with valuable employer partners and reflect on the lessons learned together.
Rooftop Welcome Reception
For the first time, the event was held at UVA Darden DC Sands Family Grounds in Rosslyn, Virginia, home to the working professional degree programs. The Roundtable started off with a rooftop reception and welcome dinner overlooking the Potomac river and monuments of Washington, D.C. Attendees from a variety of industries and firms were able to informally connect and wind down after a day of travel. The biggest takeaway? Icebreakers truly do help bring groups closer together!
One of the highlights of the following day was an opening session led by Dean Scott Beardsley. The driving message in his welcoming talk was, unsurprisingly, “Why hire Darden?” He spoke about some of the distinguishing attributes of Darden graduates—from their exceptional hard skills and commitment to ethical leadership, to the sheer ability of Darden grads to work hard, together.
What’s Good, What’s Great, and Where to Grow?
The Darden team has several goals heading into these annual roundtables. Learn more about the employer perspective for hiring MBA graduates; find areas for improvement in the recruiting process for both students and firms; and identify the key strengths Darden students bring to firms. The roundtable also provides a rare opportunity for our employer partners to connect with each other in a non-competitive, transparent environment.
Our conversations throughout the day explored several key areas:
- The Rise of AI: How can Darden students stand out in a competitive landscape?
- On-Grounds Recruiting Experiences: Our partners openly discussed the reality of decreased funding for travel and the logistical challenges of getting the right people in the room. We also heard positive feedback and explored alternative options available such as continuing to support virtual events and taking advantage of the improved Darden facilities like the Rosslyn grounds and the Forum Hotel.
- The Hiring Landscape for International Students: There was robust conversation around the unique challenges and complexities of hiring students who require sponsorship. We discussed the current trends, plus the benefits of hiring this valuable population.
- Industry Trends in Recruiting: We listened and learned to identify the trends that are influencing the way companies secure top talent from MBA programs. It is our goal to ensure that our students are well-prepared to successfully recruit.
In addition to the discussions and workshops, participants also had the opportunity to tour Sands Family Grounds and hear from a panel of students in the Executive and Part-Time MBA programs.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the attendees and panelists whose participation and openness to engage with peers led to a truly successful event. We look forward to continuing to build and grow these relationships during the upcoming recruiting season.
Recruit Darden Talent
If you would like to connect with our team and take steps to recruiting Darden talent, contact Kevin Kennedy, Managing Director of Employer Engagement & Recruiting.
Do you have a short-term project, internship or full-time role you are looking to fill? Complete this form to gain access to resumes for available Darden talent.
Or, post a job on the Darden Career Portal.
