BEGINS: Aug. 3 ENDS: Oct. 30
About Career Conversations
Career Conversations is the University of Arizona's annual performance and development process for staff. Starting in 2026, the process includes a standardized rating scale, a required three-phase timeline, and a 100% completion expectation. It now lives in EDGE Learning rather than a paper or Word form.
With the input and support of their supervisors, this three-month annual cycle, supplemented by continuous feedback throughout the year, empowers staff members to review their accomplishments, identify their strengths, and chart a path to achieve their career aspirations.
Key Changes in 2026
- Staff and supervisors will use EDGE Learning, the university’s learning management system, to complete Career Conversations, replacing the process of uploading a document to UAccess.
- As part of their Career Conversations self-reflection, staff will enter an overall performance rating. This rating, along with other Career Conversations categories, will be discussed and reviewed with supervisors. Training for supervisors and staff on performance ratings is now available in EDGE Learning.
- Career Conversations will take place August through October with specific actions needed each month in the EDGE Learning dashboard:
- Aug. 3-31: Staff conduct self-reflection by completing each Career Conversations category.
- Sept. 1-30: Supervisors review staff entries, including performance ratings, and enter comments.
- Oct. 5-30: Supervisors meet with staff to discuss and align entries before their Career Conversations submission.
- The university will require 100% completion of Career Conversations for all staff across colleges and divisions. EDGE Learning will collect completion data during the three-month cycle, which HR will provide to college and division leadership.
For Staff
Learn how to make the most of Career Conversations! Career Conversations allow you to gain essential feedback, unlock your potential, and map out your next steps. They are an opportunity to gain new skills, challenge yourself, and achieve success professionally.
For Supervisors
As a supervisor, you have the unique opportunity to shape expectations and inspire your team's growth and career development. Through Career Conversations, you can empower your staff to pursue their aspirations while also contributing to your unit's and the university's success.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Arizona Board of Regents requires that every staff member receive at least one formal performance review per year. Until now, Career Conversations has been the mechanism for that requirement but without a consistent rating system or uniform completion expectation.
The 2026 changes meaningfully align the university with that requirement. The data collected this year establishes the first institutional baseline for performance across all units, information that has never existed before at this scale.
Future uses of that data, including potential merit linkage, succession planning, and targeted development programs, will be determined by university leadership.
The core purpose of Career Conversations has not changed; it is still the annual process for staff performance reflection and growth conversations. What has changed is the structure: a standardized rating scale, a required three-phase timeline, and 100% completion as an institutional expectation.
The process now lives in EDGE Learning rather than a paper or Word form. If you used Career Conversations in prior years, the sections will feel familiar. The rating section is new.