Browns Summit cancelled

Network opportunity postponed 

By Mac Williams and Sarah Stubbs
@m_williamsm2
@sarahxstubbs

The Browns Summit that was planned for Wednesday, Sept. 7 was cancelled on Tuesday, Sept. 6 less than 24 hours before the event was to take place. It was canceled around 2 p.m.

According to Darin Fields, vice president of academic affairs, the University decided to postpone the Summit because of an unexpected schedule conflict with the Browns executive team.

“This event is very important to the Browns leadership team and UF, and we did not want to hold the event without Browns senior leadership present, so we decided to postpone it to a later date when we can ensure that our students will have meaningful opportunities to learn from and network with our Browns partners,” Fields said.

The event would’ve been the 2nd annual Summit the University has hosted since the corporate partnership with the Cleveland Browns was announced on March 17, 2015.

The Browns Summit, according to Bradley Hammer, the director of career placement at UF, is a networking opportunity as much as it is training in professionalism.

According to Hammer, executives from the Cleveland Browns, including Executive Vice President Brent Stehlik, had planned to be on campus on Sept. 7 to bring their experience and

knowledge directly to students. The Summit was to begin at 12:30 p.m. and through 3 p.m. in Winebrenner Theological Seminary.

Hammer said the Summit is a great way to help build relationships and gain experience interviewing and networking.

“During the Summit (when it is rescheduled), students will hear from the executives who will discuss their careers, skills that are required for their field, and best practices for resumes and interviews,” said Hammer.

At the Summit, students will receive real-world tips on how to impress hiring managers during interviews, hear from Cleveland Browns interns about their experiences and the value of a Browns internship, learn the pathway to a successful career; network with executives from the Browns, and learn about additional opportunities to get involved with the Browns.

If the sessions remain the same when the Summit is rescheduled, students will have the chance to attend: “Inspirational Talk” moderated by Kevin Renshler, dean of the college of business; “Professional Development” moderated by Scott Grant; and “Pathway to a Successful Career” moderated by Hammer.

According to Adam Twining, a current Browns intern, the Summit will be well worth students’ time and effort.

“I think from my perspective this is a great opportunity to network as well as gain real world experience with a fantastic organization like the Browns,” said Twining. “I would definitely recommend this internship and the Browns partnership to other students because it really does open new doors into the career world.”

A date and time has not yet been selected for the rescheduling of the Cleveland Browns Summit.