FloridaACE 2026

Hackathons/Buildathons are often perceived as resource-intensive, yet they can be quickly implemented as high-impact, career-focused experiences. This session introduces a scalable model for launching campus hackathons/buildathons in as little as three hours to two days using Base44. Designed for FloridaACE professionals, this presentation highlights how hackathons can drive student engagement, build AI and digital skills, and connect experiential learning to career readiness outcomes. Attendees will learn best practices for planning and facilitating hackathons across disciplines, engaging non-technical students, and aligning events with employer needs. Real examples of student-built tools—such as healthcare management systems and small business solutions—will be shared to demonstrate impact. Participants will leave with a clear framework, actionable resources, and strategies to implement hackathons on their campuses, enhancing student outcomes, employer engagement, and innovative programming across career services and higher education.

Student interest in entrepreneurship is soaring, creating new challenges and opportunities for career coaches. Trends show a rise in entrepreneurial mindsets, reflected in both students’ academic choices and the expansion of entrepreneurship programs—from fewer than 100 in the 2000s to over 300 today, according to The Princeton Review. The 2023 EY Gen Z report found that 42% of Gen Z are likely to start a business, and a ZenBusiness study revealed 84% view entrepreneurship as the most exciting career path, with 75% aiming to become business owners. This interactive session provides practical tools to assess entrepreneurial readiness, offer targeted resources, and build confidence in guiding students through diverse career paths. Attendees will learn how to meet students where they are, gain strategies to support students’ entrepreneurial ambitions while helping them navigate the full spectrum of career possibilities, and walk away with tools to better serve this growing population.

Employers consistently emphasize that while resumes may open doors, it is human skills that secure opportunities and sustain success. Yet many students struggle to clearly demonstrate these skills in meaningful, authentic ways. This session equips educators, advisors, and career development professionals with practical strategies to intentionally develop and articulate essential workplace skills such as communication, adaptability, teamwork, and leadership. Participants will explore how to move beyond surface-level resume building and instead embed skill development into everyday student interactions, programming, and advising. Through real-world examples and actionable tools, attendees will learn how to help students recognize their strengths, translate experiences into marketable skills, and confidently communicate their value to employers. Participants will leave with immediately applicable strategies to better prepare students for successful transitions into the workforce.