{"id":819,"date":"2023-05-31T14:48:45","date_gmt":"2023-05-31T18:48:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.darden.virginia.edu\/career-development\/?p=819"},"modified":"2024-02-07T14:01:03","modified_gmt":"2024-02-07T19:01:03","slug":"event-spotlight-darden-recruiter-roundtable","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.darden.virginia.edu\/career-development\/2023\/05\/31\/event-spotlight-darden-recruiter-roundtable\/","title":{"rendered":"Event Spotlight: Darden Recruiter Roundtable"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Gathering Together Again<\/h2>\n

T<\/span>here is a distinct joy in being able to resume in-person interactions which are the hallmark of MBA recruiting relationships. When the venue happens to be Kimpton\u2019s brand-new Forum Hotel at Darden<\/a> against the verdant backdrop of springtime in Virginia, the renewal of human connection is even more gratifying. On May 10 and 11, Darden\u2019s Career Center hosted a recruiter roundtable with some of its closest recruiting partners in attendance, including representatives from all major industry sectors. For most of these guests, the roundtable provided a first taste of The Forum Hotel\u2019s state-of-the-art amenities, world-class design, and outstanding hospitality.<\/p>\n

Kevin Kennedy, the Career Center\u2019s Managing Director for Employer Engagement and Recruiting, spearheaded the team effort to bring recruiters, Career Center staff, and students together after the 2022-23 hiring season. Of the recruiter roundtable goals, he says, \u201cWe wanted to create a welcoming space to debrief on this past year and look toward the future of MBA recruiting. We also aimed to connect with one another on a personal level as we exchanged innovative ideas, all while showcasing Darden\u2019s newest option for recruiting events.\u201d<\/p>\n

Connecting and Exchanging Ideas<\/h2>\n

The two-day event kicked off on Wednesday with a casual welcome reception on the graceful Camelia Promenade, where guests enjoyed a view of the nearby Arboretum, followed by dinner. Thursday morning began in the sunlit Oak Boardroom with a case-inspired discussion on the \u201cStrategist\u2019s Challenge\u201d led by Professor Mike Lenox. In time-honored Darden fashion, Professor Lenox \u201ccold called\u201d his audience (several of whom were Darden alumni) and engaged them in Socratic dialogue, inviting their thoughts on a wide range of recruiting-related topics, including AI and the implications of Chat GPT, and the evolution of hybrid and remote work options. Next up were tours of the hotel and the Darden Grounds.<\/p>\n

After an al fresco lunch on the Promenade, attendees spent the rest of the afternoon diving into the details of the 2022-23 recruiting cycle and discussing what 2023-24 will look like. Finally, the student panel gave recruiters the chance to hear directly from a diverse group of First and Second Year students.<\/p>\n

\"Darden
Darden Recruiter Roundtable Student Panel Participants. Andrew Shurtleff Photography, LLC.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Meaningful and Actionable Feedback<\/h2>\n

The invaluable feedback received from students and employers alike will help recruiting partners and the Career Center enhance MBA recruiting for the 2023-24 season, and beyond. We asked company representatives what keeps them coming back to recruit Darden students, and recurring themes in responses included:<\/p>\n