People at a job fair.

June 12, 2025

SIU’s Virtual Partnership Conference facilitates partnerships to enhance recruiting

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s 2025 Virtual SIU Partnership conference on June 25 offers a great opportunity for any employer interested in partnering with the university to provide job and/or internships.  

The SIU Career Development Center event is open to companies of all sizes as well as SIU units and departments. One lucky business will claim the conference prize – free registration for the big SIU Fall 2025 Job and Internship Fair, set for Sept. 16.

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The third annual Partnership Conference runs from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and will include details about available partnership opportunities and access to tools to help simplify and enhance the recruiting process.  Early bird registration for the conference is $50 and available through June 24. Participants can also register the day of the online event for $60.

Sign up at surveymonkey.com/r/G5BFTB2.

Comprehensive, informative speaker’s panel

A diverse lineup of speakers will discuss connecting with SIU’s students to offer job or internship opportunities.

The lineup includes:

  • “Unlocking Connections – Handshake Updates and Partnerships at SIU” by Nicole Wood, Career Development Center employer relations coordinator, and Kendall Perez, Handshake relationship manager. It will provide updated information about Handshake, the online job/hiring platform utilized by SIU.
  • “Engaging with International Students in a Time of Ongoing Change” with Tina Sickinger, director of international student and scholar services at the university’s Center for International Education, and Yi Lee, attorney for Olive Branch Immigration Services. They will discuss the evolving landscape international students encounter as they transition to the U.S. workforce and provide expert insights and guidance regarding international student talent.
  • “Coaching Generation AI: Recruiting and Retraining Today’s Early-Career Professionals” by Craig Engstrom, director of undergraduate programs for the SIU Center for Teaching Excellence, and associate professor of business communication and resume/career coach. He will discuss how generative artificial intelligence can be both an ally and a foe for recruiters and those pursuing jobs and careers.
  • “Leading with Communication” by Josh Houston, communication studies senior lecturer. Noting that strong leadership begins with strong communication, Houston will highlight key communication practices that successful leaders use and encourage participants to ponder their personal leadership and communication styles.
  • “Win the Talent War: How to Attract Young Professionals Without a Big Budget” featuring Nic Skovgaard, founder of AlterEgo Marketing and Grayson Investments. The TEDx speaker will focus on what really works best to connect with today’s young professionals, who aren’t just looking for a paycheck but who seek purpose, growth and authentic connections.

Additional information

All participants who remain on the line at the conclusion of the conference will be eligible to claim the conference prize, free registration for the job fair set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 16.

Details about the September job fair will be coming soon; keep an eye on the job and internship fair webpage for updates.

For questions or additional information about the Virtual Partnership Conference or the Career Development Center, call 618-453-2391 or email careerdevelopment@siu.edu.