This page is no longer being updated and remains online for informational and historical purposes only.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.
By Stephen Wilson
They wear black robes and tassels, earn a degree, and leave after four years of life on the Hill. Graduates then use mindsets and skill sets developed from their coursework, research, travel, athletics, campus engagement, civic leadership, and friendships.
How do they use their education in the next phase of life? Wonder no longer. Here’s an update on where some of the Class of 2019 landed.
Lauren Johnson ’19
Biology
Sales representative of the Specialty Diagnostics Group, Thermo Fisher Scientific
What’s the job?
I am a part of the Diagnostic Sales Development Program along with five other recent college graduates. We train for six months in different locations around the country to prepare us for a field-based sales role come January. During the program we partake in several different workshops to learn sales skills and shadow reps in the role we will hold. Our roles will include managing a territory of different hospitals with specialty diagnostic product portfolios. Thermo Fisher is the leader in serving science, whose mission is to make the world a healthier, cleaner, and safer place, so I am excited to begin my career here.
How did you find it?
I found out about this role from attending the Boston Career Track program last January. I met Tara Mayo ’10, who was working in the program and had mentioned the opportunities within Thermo Fisher. She guided me to the specific job page and referred me. Gateway Career Center was extremely helpful in preparing me for my interviews and offered great advice.
How psyched are you?
I am very excited about this job after starting. At first it was definitely nerve-wracking traveling across the country to start my career, but it has been enjoyable. I like what I do and believe that I can make a career out of it. This role has really combined my passion for science with my sales and leadership skills. I moved to LA for the first six weeks of the program. I then moved to San Jose during Labor Day weekend for the next portion of the program. Following these next two months I go to another city and then around January will be placed into a city full time for my field sales role. I have tried to focus on keeping in touch with family and friends as much as possible because it is tough being far and moving so often.
How did Lafayette prepare you?
I was a biology major and anthropology and sociology minor at Lafayette. I have found my science background to be extremely helpful so far because my role requires my knowledge of the products we provide to hospitals to help diagnose patients. It all comes down to understanding the science behind it, which Lafayette has provided me. The liberal arts background has also been beneficial in giving me a broader knowledge base.
Missing College Hill?
I will miss being a student-athlete at Lafayette the most. There was nothing better than the support from my teammates, coaches, and faculty. All the leadership skills and experiences from the game have certainly helped me as I begin my career. I will miss the fantastic Lafayette community who was always so supportive. Roll Pards! Beat Lehigh!
Chris Panaguiton ’19
Mathematics and economics
Associate project manager (APM), Suvoda
What’s the job?
Suvoda is a software (IRT) company in the clinical trials industry. As part of the services delivery department, I work with my team to deliver our IRT services to our clients and ensure that our system is performing per study design. As an APM, my main responsibilities include supporting the project manager and senior members of the team with initial build and system maintenance tasks as well as being a main point of contact to our clients.
How did you find it?
I first learned about this job through the Gateway Career Center website as I was looking for jobs that seemed interesting to me, but I had missed the Suvoda information session on campus. I was able to hop on a phone call with one of Suvoda’s representatives and fellow alumna Abby Williams ’15. From there, I attended a two-day January externship program at Suvoda and fell in love with the company culture. I applied to Suvoda, went through the interview process, received an offer, and moved to the greater Philadelphia area.
How psyched are you?
It was definitely hard saying goodbye to my friends and family back home in the Chicago suburbs, but nonetheless I made the postgrad move to Philadelphia in June. It was definitely a whirlwind of a process from living on a college campus for four years to living pretty much on my own away from my family. But I always learn better on the fly, so it has been a fun time getting acclimated to “real life.” I just stayed positive, open-minded, and just put myself out there. I’ve made a lot of friends at Suvoda, people who enjoy spending time together outside work. That was a piece of advice given to me when I was looking for a company I wanted to be a part of: You meet many people at work, so find out if employees hang out together outside work and if the company hosts team-bonding events. This is especially beneficial if you’re moving to a completely new place and don’t know a lot of people in that area.
How did Lafayette prepare you?
My Writing Genres/Professional Writing course has helped. I also use a lot of skills that I developed in college like analytical thinking, problem-solving, and communicating through email.
Missing College Hill?
I miss the convenience of having everything so close to me, such as my friends, the gym, any building I needed to go to, and Wawa.
Bridget Coffey ’19
Government & law and policy studies
Special situations associate, Sloane & Company
What’s the job?
I provide day-to-day account and media relations support for a variety of Sloane’s investor relations efforts, shareholder activism, and crisis communications clients. As an associate, my main responsibilities include monitoring press coverage, clipping certain articles that pertain to our clients, and sitting in on conference calls.
How did you find it?
I found the job through a Lafayette connection! I networked with Erica Bartsch ’04. The conversation we had sparked my interest in PR, and then she put me in touch with the rest of the special situation team. After three rounds of interviews, I got the call that I had received a job offer.
How psyched are you?
I am very excited to be working here. Sloane has a great reputation within the PR and activism community. I have already learned so much about markets, media relations, and shareholder situations.
How did Lafayette prepare you?
The most important skill I learned at Lafayette was time management and the ability to prioritize. With my job, it is essential that you understand the importance of certain news outlets and articles in regard to the respective client. In some cases, you have to stop what you’re doing and go quickly flag an article. This ability to prioritize and successfully manage my time came through a multitude of academic and extracurricular experiences I had at Lafayette.
Missing College Hill?
I will miss the ability to see my friends at a moment’s notice to take a quick walk to Wawa or just to catch up. I will be living with my best friends in Hoboken (N.J.), so at least I will be able to see them after work hours have ended!
Nicole Eng ’19
Biology
Second lieutenant, United States Army
What’s the job?
I have felt a deep sense of patriotism and respect for the military for as long as I can remember. My mom, a psychotherapist for police officers, many of whom are also veterans, instilled in me the value of honoring those who put their lives on the line every day for mine from an early age. I watched my dad, a civilian in the United States Army, take immense pride in his job since he knows he is doing what he can to serve his country. In high school, I realized that I wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself and serve my country. A quote I try to live by is, “If not me, then who,” which I think aligns well with the Cur Non spirit. I have so much respect for the men and women who protect our great nation, why shouldn’t I as well? After successful completion of Officer Candidate School, I will be a second lieutenant in the United States Army. As such, I will lead soldiers in a branch to be determined in Officer Candidate School.
How did you find it?
I thought about becoming a soldier in the United States Army since I was in high school. The desire to serve my country only grew during my time at Lafayette. Consequently, I used the time I had at college to foster the skills necessary to being an effective officer and prepare me for the application process. My Gateway counselor provided useful recommendations for ways in which I could make myself the best candidate, including finding possible summer internship opportunities, proofreading my officer essay, and encouraging me to conduct a mock interview to prepare me for my selection board.
How psyched are you?
I am very excited to become a United States soldier because it’s been a dream of mine for about six years. I am eager to join the workforce and gain independence as well as to serve our nation, lead other soldiers, and challenge myself both mentally and physically. However, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit anxious for the training I must first complete.
How did Lafayette prepare you?
I used the time I had at Lafayette to foster the leadership and time management skills necessary to becoming an effective officer through my role as co-president of Lafayette College Republicans and teaching assistant positions. These experiences have helped me take constructive criticism, improve how I work with and communicate with others, as well as prepare for and execute the tasks that are under my responsibility. I am confident these skills will be applicable and extremely useful as an officer in the Army.
Missing College Hill?
I will miss the community at Lafayette the most. Living so close to my friends and the close relationships with my professors and mentors cannot be matched. I will also miss the school spirit and traditions that made Lafayette such a special place to me for four years.
Abbott Price ’19
Mechanical engineering
Associate engineer, Pratt and Whitney
What’s the job?
I work in the Aero Thermal Fluids organization, and my work focuses on secondary flow analysis on Pratt and Whitney’s new line of commercial jet engines.
How did you find it?
I worked in the same group last summer as an intern, and I accepted a full-time position in the fall.
How psyched are you?
It is really exciting to work on commercial jet engines and to know that the projects I’m involved in are being used every day by thousands of people. I moved to West Hartford (Conn.) after graduation. I grew up in the area; however, I moved into an apartment with a Lafayette alum which is very exciting and fun!
How did Lafayette prepare you?
Studying mechanical engineering at Lafayette has really helped me feel confident and comfortable in my new position not only technically but also as an effective member of a dynamic team. It’s really great to be able to see the application of classes I took to my everyday work and to see the finer details of the major concepts we learned over the four years.
Missing College Hill?
I will miss so many things about Lafayette from the engineering classes to sitting on the Quad on warm spring days, to running to Gilbert’s between classes with my fellow engineers to grab lunch. But most of all I think I will miss the people. My professors and peers shaped my college experience so much and made it some of the best four years of my life!
Molly Martindale ’19
Geology and theater
Coach, Schuler Scholar Program
What’s the job?
I am working for the Schuler Scholar Program, which equips high-achieving and underrepresented students to gain access to and succeed at highly selective colleges and beyond. To date, Schuler has helped more than 1,200 first-generation students, students of color, and low-income students in Chicago on their path to college and beyond. My role in Schuler has me working with students in a high school on reading enrichment, academic support, learning strategies, and the college selection and application process. Throughout the year I will lead students in various leadership and cultural activities outside school.
How did you find it?
I found the job through the Gateway Career Center website where I searched for job opportunities in the Chicago area.
How psyched are you?
I am extremely excited about this job and working with students on their personal journeys through high school. I feel humbled and lucky to be able to serve these students as a mentor. I have moved from my hometown in Toledo, Ohio, to Libertyville, Illinois. I had ample help from my parents as I packed and prepared for my move. Schuler provided my housing near the high school I am working at for the next two years.
How did Lafayette prepare you?
Being an admissions ambassador at Lafayette was not only my favorite activity in college, it helped to prepare me for this job. Working in admissions allowed me to interact and connect with prospective students and families from many diverse backgrounds. I learned more specifically about the college admission process and how certain populations access institutions like Lafayette. My time at Lafayette through admissions and the liberal arts setting allowed me to develop skills that would help me connect with people on an individual basis, like how professors and advisers at Lafayette connected with me on an individual basis during my four years.
Missing College Hill?
I already miss the faculty in the geology department at Lafayette. I have never had a space where I felt so at home, and that was totally enabled by the faculty and staff in Van Wickle Hall. I also dearly miss my friends. I realize that I took for granted how easy it was to take a quick walk down Hamilton Street to be surrounded by the love and laughter of my sweetest friends. Finally, I miss the scenic walk down the hill to the Arts Campus, which allotted a beautiful and convenient time for daily reflection on how lucky I was to be a part of the Lafayette community!
Erin Rome ’19
Chemical engineering
Lubricant sales engineer, ExxonMobil
What’s the job?
Over the summer I moved north of Houston for three months of training for my role in industrial lubricant sales. I started at ExxonMobil’s headquarters in Spring (Texas), giving a presentation for my division, which is Fuels & Lubricants (F&L). I will officially begin my role in October, which will be somewhere in the continental U.S.
How did you find it?
Through my interaction with the Gateway Center, I was fortunate to get an internship over the summer of 2018 with ExxonMobil. I was able to apply for the job through CareerSpot, and then I had one on-site interview at Lafayette followed by a Skype interview. This led to my internship, which was in F&L on the fuels side. On the last day of my internship, I was offered a full-time job. I am very excited to go into this sales role because although I enjoyed studying chemical engineering, I will be able to have a job that is technical but also deals with interacting with people.
How did Lafayette prepare you?
I feel as though Lafayette has prepared me well for this setting as I was always able to interact with professors and other students and often work in teams during my time in college. I am so thankful that I was able to get this dream job due to my education and opportunities at Lafayette, and I am excited that I will be able to live and experience different parts of the country over the next few years.