WATCH: Future Leaders Conference inspires OC students with AI innovation and career workshops

Hundreds of students gathered at the JW Marriott in Anaheim on Wednesday for the Future Leaders Conference, an event designed to help young participants explore career opportunities, build essential skills and connect with industry professionals.

Previously known as the Student Leadership Summit, the conference was presented by Vital Link in partnership with the Orange County Department of Education and its OC Pathways initiative. This year’s program featured a special focus on artificial intelligence, offering interactive sessions with real-world applications in academic and professional settings.

The Future Leaders Conference ran from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., beginning with a welcome session and keynote address before attendees broke out into workshops that included hands-on experiences. Topics included financial literacy, resume building, networking and time management, alongside sessions that emphasized internships, apprenticeships and volunteer opportunities.

Our Media Services team was there as OC students gained a greater understanding of career pathways while enhancing skills such as leadership, communication and problem-solving. Take a look at the video above.