LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 2, 2026) — When Gatton students talk about careers, they often start with job titles. Industry Intersections asks them to start somewhere else: with industries themselves and the business systems that power them.
Developed as part of Gatton College’s applied learning portfolio, Industry Intersections is a five-week, co-curricular professional development experience that helps students understand how business connects to major sectors of Kentucky’s and the nation’s economies. The program is led by Josh Taylor, executive director of applied learning and international education, in partnership with Hayley Hollenberg, associate director of employer engagement through the Graham Office of Career Management.
Rather than focusing on a single career path, each Industry Intersections cohort explores the intersection of business and a specific industry, combining employer engagement, alumni mentorship, team-based challenges and an immersive Fall Break industry trek.
“The goal is to help students look beyond job titles and see how industries actually work,” Taylor said. “We want them to understand the systems, strategy, and people behind industries they already recognize—but may not have considered as career paths.”
The idea for Industry Intersections emerged in early 2024, sparked by the economic ripple effects of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. Josh saw an opportunity to help students explore how a familiar cultural moment was supported by complex business operations—logistics, marketing, finance, licensing and technology—working together behind the scenes.
What began as a time-specific exploration of the music industry quickly proved adaptable across sectors. With Hollenberg leading employer and alumni engagement, the program evolved into a repeatable model that now serves students across all five Gatton majors.
Over five weeks, students engage in employer-led workshops, industry case studies, and career development activities focused on resume-building, networking, and professional fluency. Each cohort concludes with a Fall Break trek that allows students to see business operations in action.
Industry Intersections is designed to strengthen Gatton College’s applied learning ecosystem while connecting Kentucky’s economic identity to regional and global markets
The 2025 cohort, Branding the Bluegrass, focused on the intersection of business and tourism—an industry deeply tied to Kentucky’s economy and identity.
Students examined the business forces behind sectors that drive tourism across the state, including equine and racing, distilling, athletics and place-based branding. Employer partners joined the program to discuss not only their own career paths, but how their organizations contribute to tourism’s broader economic impact.
“All throughout the program, we had employer partners come in to talk with students about how their companies impact tourism within Kentucky,” Taylor said.
The cohort culminated in a Fall Break trip to Asheville, North Carolina, where students studied the business operations behind the Biltmore Estate, a global tourism brand. There, students met with marketing and management leaders to better understand how strategy, brand experience, and operations work together at scale.
Throughout the five weeks, students worked in teams on a central challenge: developing pitches for how Kentucky could be positioned as a “staycation” destination for college students. One winning team focused on Mammoth Cave, crafting a Gen Z–focused pitch that emphasized visual storytelling and experience-based marketing.
For Taylor and Hollenberg, the value of Industry Intersections lies in how it helps students translate classroom learning into real-world understanding.
By working in teams and presenting ideas directly to industry leaders, students build confidence and professional judgment alongside technical skills. They also gain exposure to internship pipelines and career paths they may not have previously considered.
Industry partners benefit as well, gaining early access to Gatton College talent and fresh perspectives on industry challenges. The program’s design positions employers and alumni not just as guest speakers, but as mentors invested in student development.
Industry Intersections has quickly become a cornerstone of Gatton College’s professional development offerings, with cohorts already planned several years into the future. This fall, the program returns with Game Changers: The Business Behind Sports, an exploration of the business ecosystem that powers professional and collegiate athletics.
Through five interactive workshops, students will look beyond what happens on the field to examine the business functions that make the sports industry possible. Sessions will explore areas including marketing, finance, operations, human resources, partnerships, analytics, event management and public policy, while introducing students to career paths across the industry.
Professionals from organizations including the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Chiefs, Tennessee Titans, FIFA World Cup 26, American Volleyball Coaches Association, VisitLEX and UK Athletics will bring those careers to life. Students will explore the operations behind game day, step inside the front office and learn about opportunities that extend beyond teams and venues into governing bodies, public agencies, sports commissions and other organizations that support the industry.
The cohort will then travel to Indianapolis over Fall Break for an immersive look at the business of sports. At the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, students will explore the operations, strategy and legacy behind one of the world’s most recognizable sporting venues before connecting with additional industry professionals from organizations including the NCAA, Visit Indy and Hamilton County Tourism.
The experience will culminate in a Strategy Showcase that puts students in the role of consultants. Working in teams, they will develop and pitch an original sports-focused development concept for Lexington to a panel of industry professionals and leaders. The challenge asks students to consider not only the concept itself, but how sports can contribute to economic growth, community value and regional identity—and how finance, operations, stakeholder engagement and long-term sustainability would make their ideas viable.
“We’re already working on future cohorts,” Taylor said. “The momentum is there because students want experiences that help them understand how business shows up in the real world.”
At its core, Industry Intersections reflects Gatton’s broader commitment to helping students connect their academic foundation to industries that shape Kentucky’s economy and beyond.
