LeighAnn Fry, career services coordinator and academic adviser at Penn State York, hangs up a poster promoting the week-long free activities for Penn State York students and alumni from the past five years
Networking is critical when it comes to finding a job that ultimately leads to a career and Penn State York is providing a week of activities designed for students and alumni who graduated in the past five years with opportunities to network with business professionals. Many of those involved are Penn State alumni, and represent a variety of career fields, including business, engineering, government, human services, insurance, and law enforcement, during the annual Career Networking Event on Thursday, March 24.
"Career Week is an annual week-long series of programs to help students connect with alumni and learn more about careers,” said LeighAnn Fry, career services coordinator and academic adviser at Penn State York. “Our goal is for students to explore how many majors can lead to a variety of career paths. In turn, our industry professionals and alumni offer practical strategies and advice from their own experiences. We hope for a great week of engaging, networking, and helping our students explore many opportunities!"
The Career Networking Event begins at noon on the theatre stage of the Pullo Family Performing Arts Center (The Pullo Center) on campus. Register for the networking event online at https://bit.ly/cnevent2022.
Speakers for the networking event include Greg Bennett, Signature Consultants, associate recruiter; Stacy Broad, York County Children, Youth & Families, workforce development program specialist II; Julie Camasi, Campus Door, vice president Contact Center; Michele Christiensen, Donegal Insurance Group, quality assurance/claims training manager; Kim Davies, Eurofins, director of divisional support services; Kevin John, Archetype Glass, project manager; Julie Mann, Puris Holdings, LLC, chief innovation officer; Tessa Miller, Springettsbury Township Police, police officer; Robert Reynolds, Harley Davidson, resident engineer of current products; and Jeff Zechman, Gehman Feed Mill, dairy nutritionist.
A number of other events are planned throughout the week of March 21-25. Fry, along with Iona Conlon, alumni relations and stewardship officer at Penn State York, work together to put the career events in place.
March 21
Career Week gets started at 9:30 a.m. Monday, March 21, via Zoom, with “Life and Work: Being “Social” in an Era of Digital Communication.” This presentation covers research discussing the phenomenon of work creeping into personal lives and strategies for presenting the best social self at work. Those interested should contact Erin Nelsen at [email protected].
Also, on March 21, at 12:20 p.m., employers from various industries will give insight into how students can make the most of their internship. The employer panel, “What Makes a Successful Intern at Your Company?” takes place in the Rehearsal Room of The Pullo Center.
March 22
“Hey, Mom! Look at Me Now: Careers in Liberal Arts,” features a panel discussion around the various ways in which a liberal arts major can lead to a variety of fulfilling career paths. The discussion is at noon in the Rehearsal Room of The Pullo Center and features liberal arts graduates who will share their career paths.
In the evening at 7 p.m., via Zoom, a networking social for graduates of the Penn State Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) major can connect and share their experiences. Current students, alumni, and faculty are invited to attend. Participants must register by Friday, March 18 at https://bit.ly/HDFS2022 to participate.
March 23
Doug Barszcz, federal accounts manager at LinkedIn, will discuss using the social media platform, proactively as a networking tool. “Using LinkedIn as Part of Your Job Search Process”, is set for 12:20 p.m. in Polli Hall of the new Graham Center for Innovation and Collaboration (The Graham Center) on campus.
March 25
The final event of Career Week, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 28, is the annual Penn State York Information Sciences and Technology Dinner/Networking Social, at Heritage Hills Golf Resort, 2700 Mt. Rose Ave., in York. This event is open to students exploring information technology or cybersecurity majors, and is an opportunity to connect with alumni, learn about career services, alumni events, and potential career paths. To attend this event, participants must register at https://engage.tassl.com/event/9310
