Career Catalyst
Career Catalyst 2025 will take place on April 10, 2025 at the UT Conference Center
Career Catalyst is a dynamic annual event that connects leaders from corporations, small businesses, start-ups, government agencies, and higher education to envision collaborative initiatives to create a high performing and talented workforce for emerging and future careers. The event is led by the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies.
Career Catalyst is for leaders and decision-makers who are interested in emerging trends and technologies.
Register for the 2025 Career Catalyst
The 2025 Career Catalyst will take place on April 10, 2025 from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm at the UT Conference Center in Downtown Knoxville.
When: April 10, 2025, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Where: UT Conference Center
Keynote Speaker:
Ian Khan
Futurist and thought leader Ian Khan will share insights during his keynote address, The Convergence Trifecta: Why Blockchain, IOT and AI Will Change Every Industry, providing an understanding of what technologies are going to have the most profound impact on business, timing, and how to adapt to a world driven by tech.
What To Expect
Panel Discussion
Hear from experts during a panel discussion, Emerging Technologies: The Future of the Economy, Security, and Society.
Panelists will be announced soon!
Collaborative Workshop
Collaborate with CECS faculty and staff to explore project-based learning ideas tailored to in-demand industry verticals such as Applied AI, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Game Design, Medical Sciences, and more.
Career Catalyst is a must-attend event for those who are excited about the future of work and for the opportunity to help impact the next generation of talent. CECS does an impeccable job of providing a space for industry and higher education to converge and collaborate.
Barry MathisConsulting Principal
CECS Board of Visitors, ChairmanPYA, P.C
Who Should Attend
Career Catalyst is for leaders and decision-makers who are interested in emerging trends and technologies, preparing students for the future workforce, upskilling and reskilling current employees, and/or providing insights on talent needs and how higher education can better address them.
History of Career Catalyst
The inaugural Career Catalyst was held in December 2023 at the UT Creamery. CECS welcomed 50 leaders from around Knoxville to learn more about CECS, hear from a panel of experts on emerging trends in the workplace, and participate in breakout sessions on how CECS can partner with industry to address talent needs.
CECS held the second annual Career Catalyst in May 2024, welcoming more than 100 leaders Tennessee and beyond. Attendees learned how CECS is addressing the needs discussed during the inaugural event, heard from a panel of higher education experts, including UT System President Randy Boyd, and participated in breakout sessions on CECS programs: RISE and PATH.
CECS looks forward to hosting more than 200 leaders from the southeast and beyond during the 2025 Career Catalyst, scheduled for April 10, 2025.
Interested in sponsoring Career Catalyst?
Career Catalyst is made possible in part through support from our partners. The funds raised to support Career Catalyst will go to initiatives like RISE student mentorship, the Career Pathways certificate, and other CECS led programs.
If you or your organization are interested in sponsorship opportunities, please contact CECS Director of Partnerships, Caleb Knight.
Register for Career Catalyst
Join the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies for the 2025 Career Catalyst!
When: April 10, 2025 from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Where: UT Conference Center
RISE
Responsive Industry Support Ecosystem to match industry professionals with learners who are pursing careers in emerging employment sectors such as Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Sustainability.
PATH
Professional Advancement Through Hands-On Learning. An environment where industry can integrate work-based learning modules specific to their operational needs into a CECS certificate that helps learners build skills in areas of significant workforce demand.
Industry Partnerships
Developing the workforce of the future
CECS works closely with industry partners to understand workforce needs, address the emerging talent gap, and provide students with real-world hands-on experience in the workforce.