Human in the Room: What Employers Actually Hire For (and How to Show Up With It) | Full Sail

Today's students are entering a workplace shaped by rapid technological change, new tools, and evolving expectations. While technical skills open doors, long-term opportunity is shaped by something more human-and often harder to name. In this co-presented workshop, Phil and Betsy Gardner (CEO of the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce) explore the capabilities employers consistently rely on when making hiring and advancement decisions: presence, judgment, and trust. Phil brings perspective on how AI, automation, and digital platforms are reshaping how careers are built and evaluated. Betsy complements that view, where she works closely with CEOs (and is one herself!) and hiring leaders across industries. She offers a clear, current view into how employers assess readiness, professionalism, and potential once candidates are in the room. Together, they translate employer expectations into practical, observable behaviors students can develop early, helping them connect what they're learning now to how decisions are made in real organizations. Presenters: Phil Pallen Betsy Gardner For more information about Full Sail University visit our site: https://www.fullsail.edu/ Subscribe to Full Sail's YouTube channel and never miss a video: https://www.youtube.com/@fullsailuniversity?sub_confirmation=1 CONNECT WITH US Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/FullSailUniversity Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/fullsail Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/school/full-sail-university Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/fullsail Snapchat - https://www.snapchat.com/add/fullsailsnaps TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@fullsail X/Twitter - https://twitter.com/fullsail From Oscar and GRAMMY-winners, to animators, to creative directors and entrepreneurs, our Hall of Fame alumni have made significant contributions to their industries – as well as the Full Sail community. Every year, we celebrate their accomplishments through a weeklong event complete with educational panels, entertainment, and more. Located in Winter Park, Florida, Full Sail University offers academic certificates, undergraduate programs, and graduate programs designed for the world of entertainment media and emerging technologies. Full Sail’s creative approach to education provides an immersive, fast-paced, and relevant learning experience that mirrors the workflow and collaboration found throughout today’s rapidly evolving industries. #fullsailuniversity #fullsail #fullsailhof