Did you make it to Handshake Access 2022? Check out any sessions you missed or relive the experience on our on-demand Handshake Access Hub.
Over 12.5K employers and higher ed professionals signed up to hear from Mindy Kaling and leaders at Grow with Google, Twitch, Mastercard, Waymo, Chevron, and 60+ others during the largest, most impactful conversation about how Gen Z is influencing the future of work.
They weren't disappointed! From a candid conversation with Mindy Kaling that was so authentic we felt like we were chatting over coffee in her living room, to thought-provoking discussions about mental health and Gen Z trends, attendees walked away with actionable insights for expanding access to great careers.
And we had fun! We kicked off Day 1 with a DJ who spun hits from the 50s to today—and hosted an entertaining round of music trivia. We up-leveled our talent acquisition skills to build leading early-talent acquisition programs with Handshake pathfinders courses, watched a talented artist paint a digital masterpiece in real time, captured memories in the virtual photo booth, and even earned SHRM professional development credits (PDCs).
Handshake Access 2022 was an event to remember. But don’t take our word for it!
Here’s what a few of our attendees had to say
- A huge THANK YOU to the Handshake team and Christine Y. Cruzvergara for the amazing opportunity to connect with industry and higher ed professionals, and to hear from amazing panelists and speakers like Mindy Kaling, Lynn Pasquerella of the American Association of Colleges and Universities, and Emily M. Dickens of SHRM.
- Wrapping up #HandshakeAccess2022 today was inspiring, informative, and truly gave me hope for the future of young students and professionals.
- These last two days at Handshake’s virtual conference, [Handshake] Access, have been filled with so many nuggets of wisdom regarding recruiting Gen Z, mental health in the workplace, and how employers and university career centers can partner together to support students!
- Hands down best hour I’ve spent in a long while! What an awesome, real and inspirational time! #HandshakeAccess2022
If you missed the live conference this year (or couldn’t attend every session you wanted to), don’t worry! We’ve got on-demand sessions coming soon on our Handshake Access Hub. You can also catch up on favorite moments, takeaways, and photobooth snapshots by reviewing the hashtag #HandshakeAccess 2022 on LinkedIn.
Here's a sneak peek at some of the crowd-favorite quotes from our speakers.
Top 5 most-quoted lines from Handshake Access 2022
“Destiny and success favor the decisive.”
Mindy Kaling, Emmy-nominated writer, producer, New York Times best-selling author, director, and actor
Mindy gave this piece of advice for students and young people starting their careers. She also shared how her entertainment career started with an internship. Mindy emphasized the importance of shadowing opportunities for early talent and the importance of sponsorship, mentorship, and allyship.
“Don't underestimate your hustle. Lean into it.”
Emily M. Dickens, Chief of Staff, SHRM
When asked about how first-generation college students can advocate for themselves and overcome imposter syndrome, Emily said it’s important for them to remember how far they’ve already come. “Your hustle got you a seat at the table, and it will continue to take you far.”
“It's not all about who you hire. It's also about who stays at your organization.”
Arezoo Riahi, Head of Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity (EID), Waymo
When thinking about diversity at our organizations, Arezoo reminded us that diversity is not all about hiring. Rethinking qualifications—like years of experience or location—can diversify our teams, but only if those diverse team members choose to stay.
“It’s never too late to be what you might have been.”
Cynthia Bowman, Chief Diversity & Inclusion, Talent Acquisition Officer, Bank of America
Cynthia spoke about what Bank of America is doing to reduce barriers to entry for Black jobseekers and her own experience embarking on her career when few executives looked like her. She shared these words from her mom, which guided her career journey, reminding us that our current state shouldn’t dictate our future.
“I am a person learning too.”
Liz Fosslien, Best-selling Author, Head of Content and Communications, Humu
When asked about facing uncertainty, overcoming self-doubt, and battling perfectionism, Liz Fosslien, co-author of No Hard Feelings and Big Feelings, reminded us to give ourselves grace as leaders. When we remember that we’re continuously learning—and are honest about that with our teams—we become more open to feedback and positive change.
Building a brighter future for talent
We left Access inspired by the wisdom and insights of everyone who participated this year—our partners, our speakers, and our community. If you missed out on the fun, check out the sessions on demand—coming soon!
Thank you to our partners!
We're grateful to our partners for making Handshake Access possible by sharing their experiences and insights with all of us. Interested in joining us as a speaker next year? Submit your interest here.
