The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Industry Symposium and Career Mixer: Charting the Future of Industry

DSA News
March 18, 2024

On Friday, March 1, 2024, the University of Houston's (UH) Division of Student Affairs University Career Services, in collaboration with the UH Hewlett Packard Enterprise Data Science Institute, hosted a groundbreaking event, the AI Industry Symposium and Career Mixer. Held in the UH Houston Room in the Student Center South, this event served as a nexus for students, faculty, and industry professionals eager to explore the profound impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on various sectors and career opportunities.

The symposium, open to all majors including undergraduate and master's students, welcomed attendees with diverse interests in AI and its applications across industries. From healthcare to energy, technology to finance, AI is poised to revolutionize the way we work and live, making this event pertinent to anyone curious about the future of industry in the age of AI.

One of the key highlights of the event was the Industry Insight Talks, where representatives from leading companies shared the latest AI innovations and their transformative effects on their respective sectors. With a lineup featuring companies from energy, healthcare, tech, and more, students had the invaluable opportunity to engage in discussions about the role of AI in shaping the industry landscape directly from the experts.

The Interactive Career Panel session provided students with indispensable insights into the skills essential to thrive in an AI-dominated industry. Panelists offered firsthand advice on how students could distinguish themselves as standout candidates, addressing their questions and concerns. This interactive session served as a bridge between academia and industry, fostering a deeper understanding of the demands and expectations within the AI-driven job market.

Moreover, students had the chance to partake in networking opportunities aimed at career advancement. By connecting with professionals and peers in the field, attendees exchanged ideas, shared experiences, and forged meaningful connections that could potentially lead to internships or employment opportunities post-graduation. The AI Mixer facilitated face-to-face interactions between employers and students, allowing companies to review resumes and conduct on-the-spot interviews, thereby streamlining the recruitment process.

The event boasted an impressive roster of participating companies, including Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), AKM, Paterson-UTI, Auredia, NOV, Metegrity Inc, XWARE, Jumana, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, and Shell, offering attendees a diverse range of opportunities to explore. Interim Vice President for Research and Director of the HPE Data Science Institute, Dr. Claudia Neuhauser said, “This was a timely and well-attended event. We are grateful to all industry participants for spending so much time with our students and alumni, and a special thank you goes to Chevron, who sponsored the event. These types of events are so important for our students to learn about expectations when they enter the workforce, and it is a great opportunity for the private sector in the Houston area to learn about the talent at UH. The collaboration with Dr. Thompson and her staff from University Career Services made it much more meaningful for our students who could talk with industry representatives one-on-one during the Career Mixer. We are very much looking forward to similar events in the future.”

Dr. Monica Thompson, executive director of university career services, stated “I am proud to have been asked to collaborate with Dr. Neuhauser and her team at the UH Hewlett Packard Enterprise Data Science Institute within the Division of Research to host our inaugural event, The AI Industry Symposium and Career Mixer. It is exciting to see students seize the opportunity to engage in networking aimed at career advancement. By connecting with professionals and peers in the field, attendees exchanged ideas, shared experiences, and forged meaningful connections that could potentially lead to internships or employment opportunities post-graduation. Our commitment to facilitating such impactful events underscores our dedication to empowering students for success in the dynamic landscape of artificial intelligence and beyond.”

With over 90 attendees comprising students, faculty, and industry professionals from UH and the greater Houston community, The AI Industry Symposium and Career Mixer proved to be a resounding success. By bridging the gap between academia and industry, this event not only sheds light on the transformative potential of AI but also provides students with the tools and insights needed to navigate the evolving landscape of the AI-driven job

 Written by: Germaine Washington, Director of Marketing and Communications – Division of Student Affairs