VIEW FULL
The Don’t Let AI Choose Your Future webinar on October 20, 2026, will feature experts discussing how AI is reshaping the workforce and the skills needed for future success.
Live Webinar: Don’t Let AI Choose Your Future
AI is changing what employers value and how students prepare for the workforce. In this webinar, College Solutions experts will explore how college students and young professionals can make smarter decisions about their future and build the skills they’ll need to adapt.
Join admission and career experts from College Solutions and What’s Next for a conversation about making smarter decisions in a rapidly changing world of work. Rather than focusing solely on whether AI will replace jobs, this webinar will examine how AI is changing the skills employers value, the nature of entry-level work, and the connection between education and career preparation.
Our experts will explore what these changes mean for students planning their next steps and how to prepare for a future where AI continues to reshape the workforce.
What We Will Cover & Core Takeaways
- How AI is changing the skills employers value
- What the evolving entry-level job market means for college students and young professionals
- How to think about graduate school in a changing workforce
- What skills students should be building now to prepare for the future
- How education and career decisions are increasingly connected
- Questions to consider when evaluating your next step
Featured Instructors & Admissions Counselors
Pierce Coughter
Pierce has 13 years of experience in college admissions and enrollment, including posts as an admissions dean at the University of Virginia's Undergraduate Admission Office and, most recently, Director of Undergraduate Admissions at UVA's McIntire School of Commerce. He has read tens of thousands of applications, traveled to and evaluated applications from hundreds of schools across the country, and advised students through countless different academic pathways and pursuits. Pierce earned his undergraduate degree in history from the University of Virginia and an M.S. in Higher Education from Old Dominion University, with a concentration in Student Affairs. He is a passionate college basketball fan and an enjoyer of local music venues. He lives with his wife, young daughter, and their golden retriever, Casper.
Elizabeth Derby
Elizabeth is the Director of Career Services for What’s Next, where she helps young adults and professionals navigate career decisions and transitions. She brings a diverse background in marketing, journalism, advising, strategy, and coaching to her work with clients. Elizabeth began her career in marketing at Fortune 500 company International Flavors and Fragrances before working as a journalist and starting her own business as an advisor, strategist, and coach in 2011. She earned her undergraduate degree in English from the College of William & Mary, graduating cum laude and serving as student commencement speaker. Elizabeth lives in Charlottesville with her husband and two young sons.
Frequently Asked Questions
What topics will be covered in the webinar?
The webinar will explore how AI is changing the workforce, the skills employers value, and the role of education in preparing for a career. We’ll also discuss decisions around career paths, graduate school, and developing skills for the future.
Who should attend?
This webinar is designed for college and graduate students, parents, recent graduates, and young professionals thinking about their next educational or career step in a changing workforce.
