On August 6, 2026, the Center for Student Experience and Talent will be hosting a Life Design for Working Learners Conference. Life Design is, at its core, applied design thinking: an action-oriented way to help people navigate uncertainty, make better decisions, and build meaningful lives and careers. Emerging at Stanford University, Life Design encourages trying things out and learning from experience.
Event Details:
Date: August 6, 2026
Time: 9:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.
Location: Lubar Entrepreneurship Center (2100 E. Kenwood Blvd., Milwaukee, WI 53211)
Event Website: Life Design for Working Learners Conference
Event Registration: Life Design for Working Learners Registration
Questions: Please email Susi Gomez Kennedy at: gomezken@uwm.edu
More Details About the Conference:
This conference is designed to be both challenging and rewarding, equipping you with tools you can use not only for your own growth, but also to actively coach and support your student employees in their development.
Conference Sessions
9:00 A.M. – Welcome
9:15 A.M. – 10:45 A.M. Session 1: “Design Your Life” with Dr. Leslie Harris
Kick off the day with a big-picture approach to life and career design. You’ll leave with practical ways to guide student employees in reflecting on their goals and making more intentional choices.
10:50 A.M. – 12:25 P.M. Session 2: “Your Life, Your Design: Building a Career That Fits” with Dr. Nathaniel Stern
We’ll explore what gives you energy across four key areas: work, play, love, and health. Then, instead of just thinking about your future, you’ll actively test it. Through simple “prototypes”—like reaching out to someone, trying a new skill, or starting a portfolio—you’ll leave with real steps you can try right away. You’ll gain tools to help students explore career paths, experiment with new possibilities, and build confidence through action.
12:30 P.M. – 1:10 P.M. Lunch 🥪 🥛 (provided with registration)
1:15 P.M. – 2:45 P.M. Session 3: “Design & Build Your Network” with Dr. Ilya Avdeev
This interactive session focuses on moving beyond surface-level networking. You’ll rethink your network as real relationships—not just titles or transactions—and learn how to build meaningful connections with people who genuinely support you. Together, we’ll explore who shows up for you and how to strengthen those relationships over time. You’ll learn how to coach student employees in building authentic, lasting relationships that support their success beyond campus.