University Career Services will give seniors a look into professional life this weekend at the annual Senior Conference.The conference, which features keynote speakers, employers and alumni, offers a head start in life and rewards seniors for coming this far by preparing them for challenges in the future, said Kimshi Hickman, associate director of employer services.

Patrick Combs, an alumni motivational speaker and author of “Major in Success,” will show seniors how to aim for success during an often difficult transition from student to professional life, Hickman said.

“Mr. Comb’s big thing is major and success and how to turn what you’ve experienced into success in the real world,” said Abby Hicks, assistant director of marketing and events.

Senior Conference is modeled after a professional conference. Students stay overnight and attend breakout sessions and workshops, some of which focus on networking or interviewing skills, Hicks said.

Students should leave feeling confident about life after graduation, Hickman said.

“The conference will help students realize that time is of the essence,” Hickman said. “Students who haven’t already gotten their acts together, worked on their resume or started the job search should leave motivated to do so.”

Seniors who have jobs lined up already will benefit from practicing learned skills in a professional setting, Hickman said.

The students also learn about networking – an important part of job searching, Hicks said.

“Employers call our office all the time asking, ‘Do you have alumni resumes with this type of experience?’,” Hicks said.

Conference topics will go beyond the basics of job searching. Hicks said seniors will develop professional life skills as well.

“We’re having a session on balancing professional and family life and financial management in your personal life,” Hicks said.

Seniors can nominate faculty members to attend the professional etiquette dinner Saturday night. The most nominated faculty honorees will dine with students as they learn lessons on self-presentation and table manners.

Speakers will also address whether graduate school is a good idea for certain majors.

“Part of what the conference will do,” Hickman said, “is help students understand that, depending on your major, you may or may not need to go to graduate school.