UTRGV offering innovative IRIS booth for professional headshots

By Tawny Turner

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS– The UTRGV Career Center is helping prepare students for a successful future through a variety of resources.

In Spring 2024, the Career Center introduced an innovative resource called IRIS Pods, a photo booth designed to provide the UTRGV community with the chance to get quick and easy professional headshots.

The pods, which produce high-quality headshots for students, staff, alumni and faculty are located on the Brownsville Campus in BINAB 1.105 and on the Edinburg Campus in ESTAC 2.101. They are available for use during the regular Career Center hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Individuals are able to use the pod free of charge by entering a valid email address, accepting the terms of usage and following the remaining instructions. No appointment is necessary.

Professional headshots are important for a variety of uses, including:

• Social media.
• Handshake, LinkedIn, other networking profiles.
• Websites.
• Presentation panel press or promotion materials.

As a result of UTRGV’s new partnership with Sam’s Club, the company has provided substantial funding to support initiatives such as student career support, student computer lab support and student competition support, all to benefit UTRGV students. The Sam’s Club monetary contribution contributed to the purchase of the IRIS Pods.

UTRGV Career Center Director Kamara Jackson said acquisition of the two IRIS pods supports the mission of UTRGV to position students to be global leaders.

“Having access to this technology helps students to present themselves in this ever-changing and competitive professional environment,” Jackson said. “Students will have the opportunity to develop their brand presence with this high-quality equipment.”

For more information, visit the Career Center on the Edinburg or Brownsville campus or contact the Center at careercenter@utrgv.edu