This page is no longer being updated and remains online for informational and historical purposes only. The information is accurate as of the last page update.
For questions about page contents, contact the Communications Division.
Nearly 40 alumni representing a variety of organizations and graduate schools will return to campus noon-5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10 in the Pfenning Alumni Center for Lafayette’s fourth annual Leopard Career Connections Day.
“This is an opportunity to create and expand networks, meet and learn from alumni who have been successful ‘beyond the hill,’ and gain valuable insights into various careers and industries,” says Alana Gallo, assistant director of Career Services. “Alumni are excited to share their backgrounds and experiences with students, and we are fortunate to be able to have such an incredibly talented alumni base to work with.”
Interested students should RSVP to Career Services, 201 Hogg Hall, by Monday, Feb. 5. A $10 refundable deposit is required at time of registration. For more information, contact Gallo at x5533 or visit the website.
History graduate Michael Malekoff ’75, national director of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation’s Walk to Cure Diabetes program, will deliver the keynote address “The Power of the Leopard Connection” 12:30-1 p.m.
Following Malekoff’s address will be three concurrent alumni panel sessions; students may choose one panel from each session to attend. Alumni will discuss their specific career experiences within the broader scope of their panel’s topic. All panels will be held in the Wilson Room, Pfenning Alumni Center. Business casual dress is required.
The first session will take place 1:10-2 p.m. and will feature research, science, and technology careers; business, communications, and consulting careers; and “Liberal Arts Majors: Finding Your Niche.”
Alumni discussing careers in the research, science, and technology fields will share tips on transitioning from a major to a career and how to showcase strengths, lab skills, and experience to potential employers. Panelists will include representatives from Merck & Co.; Neilsen Kellerman, Inc., a company that designs, manufactures, and distributes weatherproof instruments for active lifestyles and technical applications; the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; Merrill Lynch; and PsychoGenics, Inc., a company that helps pharmaceutical companies and nonprofit organizations validate targets and select compounds to advance in clinical trials.
The business, communications, and consulting careers panelists will talk about the importance of making a good impression and a great connection as well as offer tips on building portfolios and conducting a successful job search. They include representatives from Capgemini Consulting, a company that helps clients handle changing business and technology issues; the General Lafayette Inn; Chartic LLC, a Boston-based strategy consulting company; Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Inc., fixed income and capital market specialists; and STA Technologies, a company offering multimedia and security solutions.
Professionals with liberal arts degrees will share how they marketed their education and skills to employers and discuss how to apply a liberal arts education to a variety of fields. Alumni panelists are coming from HarrisMartin Publishing; Strategic Edge Communications; Columbia Artist Management; Commerce Banc Insurance Services; the Radnor Hotel; and Bethlehem’s Banana Factory.
Session two will be held 2:10-3 p.m. and will include “Young Alumni: Surviving ‘Off the Hill,’” public service and non-profit careers, and “From Campus Leader to Professional Success.”
Young alumni, who will be providing advice on adjusting to life beyond the “comfort zone,” living on a budget, and the realities of relocation, will be from the Vanguard Group; BNP Paribas Securities Corp.; Rohm and Haas, a global manufacturer of specialty chemicals; SEI Investments; and a graduate student in education.
Those alumni in public service and nonprofit careers will discuss the “feel good” results of their work, scope of the field, and tips on conducting a successful online job search. They include representatives from Monmouth University; the United Nations Foundation; the National Security Council; and the Partnership for a Drug Free America.
Past campus leaders will return to talk about how students can market their transferable skills to potential employers. Joining the panel will be alumni from Credit Suisse First Boston; the Food Network; Turner Construction; a past Olympian in swimming; and an alumna with extensive experience traveling abroad.
There will be two panels in the final session of the day 3:10-4 p.m. – “The Power of Experience” and “Pursuing Graduate School: When and Why.”
Discussing how beneficial internships are in securing permanent employment will be alumni working for the Radnor Hotel and M&T Bank.
Alumni who have pursued advanced degrees will share their decision-making processes and discuss the benefits of going to graduate school right after college versus entering the workforce. They include alumni who have earned an MBA from the Wharton School of Business at University of Pennsylvania; an elementary education certification from Arcadia University; M.S. physical therapy from Duke University; J.D. and M.A. degrees from American University; and an MPA from the Robert Wagner Graduate School of Public Policy at New York University.
There will be a reception for all student and alumni participants 4:10-5 p.m. in the Wilson Room.
Gallo encourages all majors and class years to attend this year’s event.
“It’s a great event for all class years – whether students are planning on graduate and professional school or work,” says Gallo. “You can never have too many business cards!”