Career Catalyst
Career Catalyst 2026 will be announced soon.
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 and is by invitation only.
Career Catalyst is for leaders and decision-makers who are interested in emerging trends and technologies.
Interested in the 2026 Career Catalyst?
The date for the 2026 Career Catalyst will be announced soon. If you’d like to receive information, email us, or fill out the form below.
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 hosted more than 100 leaders from 80+ organizations at the 2025 Career Catalyst. The 2026 Career Catalyst will be announced soon.
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.
Interested in attending Career Catalyst?
If you’d like to join the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies for the 2026 Career Catalyst, please email us for additional information.
When: 2026 Date Announced Soon
Where: TBD
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.