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What Employers Wish Every Graduate Knew: Skills for Success Beyond the Classroom
Wednesday, October 21, 2026 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm EDT
What Employers Wish Every Graduate Knew: Skills for Success Beyond the Classroom
Presented by Dr. Carrie Curtis, Former Educator, Current Primary & Secondary Education Lead, Submarine Industrial Base Program Office; Will Cooper, Founder & President, Tortoise Growth Strategies; and Joseph Welsh, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, Rhoads Industries
Sponsored by BuildSubmarines.com
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What do employers wish students knew before entering the workforce? Academic and technical knowledge can open doors, but employers consistently point to another set of skills and behaviors that often determine long-term success: communication, teamwork, problem solving, adaptability, reliability, attention to detail, and a commitment to quality.
Drawing on perspectives and real-world examples from advanced manufacturing and the Submarine Industrial Base, this edWebinar gives educators an inside look at what today's employers value, why precision and quality matter in the workplace, and how educators can intentionally help students develop these habits before they graduate.
This recorded edWebinar will be of interest to teachers, librarians, school leaders, district leaders, and education technology leaders of all grade levels.
About the Presenter
Dr. Carrie Curtis serves as the Workforce Development Education Initiatives Lead for the U.S. Navy’s Submarine Industrial Base (SIB) Program Office. A former educator with more than 12 years of experience at the secondary and postsecondary levels, she brings a teacher’s perspective to national workforce development efforts. In her current role, Dr. Curtis works with education, industry, and workforce partners to expand career exploration, hands-on learning, and educator resources that connect classrooms to the submarine industrial base. She is passionate about helping students and educators understand the wide range of skilled and degree-required careers available and connecting classroom learning to meaningful future opportunities.
Will Cooper is a workforce and economic development leader focused on driving strategic expansion for government initiatives, purpose-led businesses, and non-profits. As the Founder and President of Tortoise Growth Strategies, he leads strategic workforce and economic development, strategy, partnerships, and business development initiatives that help clients navigate competitive landscapes, identify new opportunities for sustainable growth, and develop people. Will has deep knowledge of the business and non-profit sectors from leadership roles in large international companies, digital media startups, non-profit boards, and civic organizations. Will currently serves as the Project Manager and Career Coach with the Defense Workforce Innovation and Training Center and their program partner, Equitable Cities Collaborative.
Joe Welsh serves as Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at Rhoads Industries, where he focuses on government relations, strategic workforce initiatives, and supporting the nation's submarine industrial base. An attorney and workforce development advocate, Joe also serves on Pennsylvania's Workforce Development Board, contributing to statewide efforts to strengthen education, training, and employment opportunities. His work brings together industry, government, and workforce development partners to address critical labor needs, expand skilled career pathways, and support the growth of American manufacturing and shipbuilding. Through his leadership and collaborative efforts, Joe helps connect workforce priorities with the long-term needs of the defense industrial base.
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BuildSubmarines.com serves as the central hub for recruiting the 140,000+ workers needed to build and sustain the U.S. Navy’s fleet of nuclear-powered submarines. This platform connects individuals with stable, impactful career opportunities that directly contribute to the Navy’s ambitious goal of adding three submarines—one Columbia-Class and two Virginia-Class—through its “1+2” plan.