The Collat Career Center welcomed a dynamic mix of industry professionals, students, faculty and staff to the school recently for its highly anticipated Employer Drive-In, a collaborative, hands-on event aimed at building stronger ties between business and workforce needs.
Held at the Collat School of Business, the event brought together employer partners, students, faculty, staff and campus representatives with the goal of showcasing how Collat prepares students to become career-ready professionals and exploring ongoing opportunities for employers to engage meaningfully with the school throughout the year.
Showcasing innovation, talent and collaboration
The Employer Drive-In provided attendees with an immersive experience that highlighted the school’s forward-thinking educational model. With activities such as an interactive leadership escape room, the event developed skills in problem-solving, teamwork and critical thinking.
“Collat ProEd really enjoyed the opportunity to challenge participants with our leadership escape room,” said Cori Perdue, director of the Professional Education Department at the Collat School of Business. “It was rewarding to watch professionals from different companies come together to problem solve, collaborate and demonstrate teamwork under pressure in such a dynamic setting.”
Participants also learned about the newly revamped UAB Center for Sales Leadership Program, which sparked excitement among attendees.
“Initially, I expected the event to be another long, note-taking conference, but I was pleasantly surprised,” said Whitney Weathersby with Enterprise Mobility. “It turned out to be highly interactive and insightful, keeping me engaged throughout. The experience not only exceeded my expectations but also made me genuinely excited for future events.”
Bridging the gap between education and employment
The event's core theme highlighted the importance of aligning academic experiences with the evolving needs of today’s workforce. Through engaging panels and candid conversations, employers shared feedback on skill gaps and hiring expectations, while faculty and staff showcased how Collat is responding through innovative teaching methods such as the integration of AI tools in the classroom.
“The Employer Drive-In gave us the chance to practically show employers how Collat is preparing students for real-world success,” said Rita Stewart-Hampton, director of the UAB Collat Career Center. “And more importantly, it allowed us to listen and learn from our employer partners about how we can better serve their talent pipelines.”
Strengthening partnerships year-round
The Employer Drive-In served as a launchpad for ongoing collaboration between the school and the business community. Attendees learned about year-round engagement opportunities such as internships, mentorships, classroom collaborations and guest speaking roles that will enhance student career outcomes throughout the 2025–2026 academic year.
At the event, UAB Head Football Coach Trent Dilfer delivered a powerful message about resetting mindset in the face of challenges and change. He reiterated the resilience needed in both business and education.
Looking ahead
The Collat School of Business is committed to creating mutually beneficial relationships between higher education and the business sector. As the fall recruiting season approaches, the insights and connections made during the event will shape new opportunities for employers to connect with UAB’s next generation of business leaders.
For information on how to partner with the UAB Collat Career Center, visit our website or contat