Beyond the Bench series offers professional headshots

Colton Cuevas takes a headshot of Phoibe

Renema, Ph.D.

The Office of Research Education and Training (ORET) recently hosted a professional headshot event for faculty, staff and students as part of the Whiddon College of Medicine's Beyond the Bench: Mapping Your Career DNA professional development series. Participants had the opportunity to receive updated headshots to support professional profiles and career-related materials.

Headshots were taken by Colton Cuevas with Career Development at the University of South Alabama. The session drew a strong turnout, with 61 students, faculty and staff taking advantage of the opportunity.

“Whether you are a student seeking residency, a researcher pursuing grants, or faculty building a global network, a professional headshot grants you access and exposure,” Cuevas said. “It ensures you are recognized as a trusted authority, opening doors and establishing a cohesive professional brand before you even enter the room.”

Haley Kominek, a Ph.D. candidate in the Basic Medical Sciences Graduate Program, brought the idea to Alani Rodgers, Ed.D., assistant director of ORET, after hearing fellow students express interest in updating their headshots for the University’s website and for LinkedIn. Kominek also had a personal motivation, as her own headshot was over three years old. 

“In today’s job market, a strong LinkedIn presence is essential, as networking plays a major role in career development. Having an updated professional headshot helps ensure you present yourself confidently and consistently to future employers and professional connections,” Kominek said. “It was wonderful to see not only students, but also faculty and staff take advantage of the opportunity to refresh their professional images.” 

Those who were unable to attend the session may schedule individual appointments by visiting usajaguars.campus.eab.com/pal/86fpAis3Sl or calling 251-460-6188.

The Beyond the Bench series will continue with additional career-focused resources and guest speakers designed to help trainees identify and prepare for future career paths.