Snapshots: UNO Future of Work Symposium Explores Entrepreneurial Career Paths
UNO hosted its fifth annual Future of Work Symposium on Sept. 17, highlighting how innovation and entrepreneurship are reshaping careers across industries.
- published: 2025/09/22
- contact: Sam Peshek - Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications
- email: unonews@unomaha.edu
Genevieve Custer Weeks, founder and CEO of Tutu School, delivered the keynote. Photo: Ryan Soderlin, UNO Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications.
UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, addressed the audience. Photo: Ryan Soderlin, UNO Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications.
Redesigning Your Career with and Entrepreneurial Approach Panelist Emiliano Lerda with Elevator talks to the audience. Photo: Ryan Soderlin, UNO Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications.
Redesigning Your Career with and Entrepreneurial Approach Panelist Rick Knutdson with Workshop talks to the audience. Photo: Ryan Soderlin, UNO Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications.
Redesigning Your Career with and Entrepreneurial Approach Panelist Alan with Trip MTRLobjects addresses the audience. Photo: Ryan Soderlin, UNO Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications.
Redesigning Your Career with and Entrepreneurial Approach Panelist April Hibbler with Nebraska Opportunity Exchange addresses the audience. Photo: Ryan Soderlin, UNO Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications.
A student asks questions to the panel. Photo: Ryan Soderlin, UNO Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications.
Students take part in a breakout session at the symposium. Photo: Ryan Soderlin, UNO Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications.
The workplace is changing, and at the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s (UNO) Future of Work Symposium, students and leaders explored how entrepreneurial thinking is driving that shift.
📈 What happened:
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The Future of Work Symposium, themed “The Work Revolution: Redesigning Careers with an Entrepreneurial Approach,” drew professionals, students, and community leaders to UNO’s Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center (CEC) on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025.
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Genevieve Custer Weeks, founder and CEO of Tutu School, delivered the keynote, sharing how entrepreneurial thinking can empower individuals to design fulfilling, sustainable careers.
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A panel discussion featured local innovators: Alan Tipp (MTRLobjects), Emiliano Lerda (Elevator), April Hibbler (Nebraska Opportunity Exchange), and Rick Knutdson (Workshop).
💡 Why it matters:
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Careers are increasingly shaped by entrepreneurial approaches, from freelancing to corporate innovation, to self-employment.
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UNO’s symposium provided a forum for sharing ideas and strategies that help workers align careers with skills, values, and ambitions.
🔎 Zoom in:
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Attendees participated in six breakout sessions led by UNO experts and Omaha area business leaders, offering practical insights on redesigning careers in today’s evolving workplace.
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The event emphasized how higher education and community collaboration can prepare students and professionals for the rapidly changing world of work.
About the University of Nebraska at Omaha
Located in one of America’s best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community.
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