Career Discovery Series Keynote: Why You? How to Nail the Most Pressing Question of Your Career with Vicki Johnson ’01, Ph.D.

Location: 120 Physical Sciences Building

Register for Why You? How to Nail the Most Pressing Question of Your Career Keynote

Session Description

The candidates who land dream opportunities and command their destiny aren’t necessarily the ones with the longest resumes—they’re the ones who can articulate a future vision so compelling that others want to be part of making it happen. As you stand at the threshold of your career, you can create something more powerful than experience: a vision for what’s possible. In this transformative keynote, ProFellow Founder and Cornellian Vicki Johnson ’01, Ph.D., reveals the storytelling framework that turns uncertainty into confidence and helps you claim opportunities you didn’t think were within reach. 

You’ll discover how to leverage the competitive advantages you already possess, why your future story matters more than your past credentials, and how to authentically answer the question that will define your career: “Why you?” This session will change how you see yourself—and how others see you too.

Key Takeaways: 

• The competitive edge you already have (and how to name it)

• How to create meaningful connections with selectors that inspire investment

• A proven framework for crafting your most compelling narrative

Following the keynote, stay for a live Q&A and an in-person book signing. As a special thank-you, the first 50 graduate students/postdocs and 50 undergraduates who attend in person will receive a free copy of “Pitch Your Potential: The Formula to Win Selective Opportunities and Leverage Your Story for Success.” A virtual option will be provided for participants unable to attend on campus.

Speaker Bio

Vicki Johnson ’01, Ph.D., is founder and director of ProFellow®, the leading online resource for professional and academic fellowships. She is a Cornell Class of 2001 alumna (government, Arts & Science), a four-time fellow, a top Ph.D. scholar, and an award-winning social entrepreneur. She is the forthcoming author of the Wiley book “Pitch Your Potential: The Formula to Win Selective Opportunities and Leverage Your Story for Success.”