Join Kentucky Career Development Association (KCDA) colleagues for a day of learning, professional development, and (re)connection at the organization's annual drive-in conference!

Schedule

• 10:00 AM – Welcome & Keynote
• 10:45 AM – 11:00 AM  – Break
• 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM – Breakout or Table Topic Sessions #1
• 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – Lunch
• 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM – Breakout or Table Topic Sessions #2
• 1:45 PM – 2:00 PM Break
• 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM Breakout or Table Topic Sessions #3
• 3:00 PM – 3:15 PM Closing
• 3:15 PM – 3:45 PM KCDA Business Meeting

Location

The Margaret A. Cargill (MAC) Natural Sciences & Health Building at Berea College

Learn more about the MAC Natural Sciences & Health Building, Berea College, and Berea College's Office of Internships & Career Development.

Breakout Sessions Topics include:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Job Search,
• Navigating Disability & Disclosure in the Job & Internship Search Processes, 
• Career Development Programs beyond Major Declaration & Job Search, 
• On-campus employment and its role in Career Development,
• Career mentoring programs, and 
• The value of internships.

Keynote Speaker: Mae Suramek – Civic, Community, & Entrepreneurial Leader

Mae began her professional journey as a Human rights investigator for the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Human Rights Commission and the North Carolina Human Relations Commission. She then served as Alumni Director of Berea College and as Executive Director of a regional 17-county non-profit, the Bluegrass Rape Crisis Center.  After spending 20 years getting an up-close and personal view of the funding challenges of the non-profit world, Mae saw an extraordinary opportunity for non-profit organizations and businesses to partner more strategically for the better good, and she went on to create Noodle Nirvana, a socially-conscious restaurant in Berea, KY that raised nearly $200,000 for four non-profits during its seven years of operations. Following the closure of Noodle Nirvana after the pandemic, Mae returned to her non-profit roots and currently serves as the Operations Director of the New Americans Initiative, an organization that works to empower civic engagement in Kentucky immigrant and refugee communities. Mae and her husband, Adam are also partners of the Good Dwellings Group, a real estate business that is committed to promoting equal and accessible housing in Kentucky. Mae has a B.A. in psychology from Berea College and an M.A. in counseling from Eastern Kentucky University.