Tag: Connecting

Speed Networking

Posted By under Advertising, Alumni, Campus News, Entertainment, Networking , , , , , , , , , ,

By: Ciera Britton, Lion’s Eye Staff Editor, clb434@psu.edu

Penn State alums at the Speed Networking with Alumni event offered students the unique opportunity to practice before the real interview.

The event was an opportunity for the students to network with the alumni and practice their ‘‘elevator speeches.’’ The Speed Networking with Alumni saw a total of 14 alumni and 27 students attend. The feedback received from both the alumni and students was encouraging and very positive.

The collaboration of the Student Government Association (S.G.A), Blue and White Society (B.W.S), Career Services and Alumni Relations made the event a success. The event was open to all students; for two internship prep classes (CNED 280 and BA 420), participation was mandatory. For the first half of the Speed Networking with Alumni, the students rotated from one alumni station to another after every four minutes.

“I attended the event because it was an excellent opportunity to network and meet knowledgeable and experienced PSU alumni,” senior Jodi Mitchell said.

Jim Callagher, who is employed by Hotel and Restaurant Management, shares his reasons why he is always there to help the students of Penn State.

“PSU is what it is all about,” Callagher said. “It is important to share our business experience with future students in the business world. It can help them with better interviewing skills.”

Penn State alum Michael Cappelletti works at Warfel Construction Company.  He was honored to attend.

“Penn State has the best students,” Cappelletti said. “They are always present for events and great at networking. I am here to help the students learn to reach out, to communicate and to network.”

After lunch, Penn State Assistant Director of Development and Alumni Relations Virginia Harrison explained how she could not miss the event.

“I am the adviser to the Blue and White Society and in the campus alumni relations office,” Harrison said. “I came to see and help alumni and students network and interact.”

Numerous connections were made for potential opportunities, and students are better equipped and more confident as they prepare for upcoming job opportunities.

Don’t stop now

Posted By under Advertising, Alumni, Campus News, Commencement, Entertainment, Graduation, Networking, Op/Ed , , , , , , , ,

By: Sharifa Small, Lion’s Eye Staff Writer, sns161@psu.edu

As Penn State Brandywine 2016 commencement draws near, students are wrapping up research projects, internships, independent study classes and exams in preparation for what lies ahead.

The commencement ceremony is set to be held on Saturday, May 7, at 10 a.m., in the Commons Building/Athletic Center. Additionally, the commencement speaker will be Jennifer Morgan, President of SAP North America.

While many students are counting down the weeks until graduation day, which tends to be the busiest, others are reminiscing about their first day on campus.

Will Gruehn, a senior Corporate Communications major, is set to graduate this spring. He remembers his first day as a freshman.

“It was fairly uneventful,” Gruehn said. “I remember thinking that the campus was a lot smaller than I initially envisioned it.  I also remember being very shocked by the general size of most classes, but as the days passed by, the class sizes were a thing of the past.”

Within the weeks leading up to graduation day, there are always activities on campus to either ease one’s mind of final exam stress or help a student look for a job. Such activities include mock interviews, speed networking with alumni, career day prep (Resumania), career day and internship poster and capstone presentations. There are also fun events like Tunes Thursday, Movie Night, Senior Send-off, Spring Fling and much more.

Commencement is a joyous occasion. With that being said, seniors are urged to RSVP with attendance and ticket requests by April 20 for the commencement ceremony as well as pick up their cap and gowns, as it is very much needed for the service. Seniors are still required to RSVP even if they do not plan to attend the commencement ceremony, to ensure an appropriate count of attendees.

“I have a lot of mixed feelings about graduation, Gruehn said. “I honestly cannot wait to be finally finished with research papers, presentations and exams; however, I am also a bit sad about the prospect of leaving my friends behind.”

Congratulations to those seniors graduating. A new chapter will begin soon. It starts with being called a Penn State alum.

Speed Networking with Alumni

Posted By under Advertising, Alumni, Campus News, Contact, Entertainment, Food, Networking , , , , , , , , , ,

By: Sharifa Small, Lion’s Eye Staff Writer, sns161@psu.edu

One way for college students to learn about what the real world has to offer is to network and connect with alumni.

Penn State Brandywine’s Career Services collaborated with the Student Government Association, Blue and White Society and University Relations to host the annual Speed Networking with Alumni event on February 24.

The purpose of the event was for students to get a better understanding of and experience with networking. By practicing networking, students may feel more comfortable when engaging in two-way dialogue.

Olivia Shiner, a junior business management major and the President of S.G.A., was one of the many people who made the event a success.

“This event offers an excellent opportunity to make contact with people from Penn State and within the local area,” Shiner said. “Because of the past speed networking events, I have met many alumni. Plus, I know at least three people and myself who have worked with alumni after the event.”

Shiner believes networking is essential and once students start talking to people, they will realize what they have in common and how others can help in a job search.

How it worked

The networking event took place in the Tomezsko Lounge during common hour.  The lounge was staged as a coffee house; refreshments, lunch and music were available. There were 27 students and 14 alumni in attendance. Each alum was assigned to a numbered table and each student received a number upon arrival, which placed them as a group.

The group consisted of one alumni and two to three students. For the first half of the event, and at the sound of a bell, participants were able to take turns asking questions and delivering their elevator pitches. Each session was timed, so students rotated to the a new alum’s table every four minutes.

Photo by: Sharifa Small
Photo by: Sharifa Small

Observing the success of the event, and one of the many people in charge was Christine Allen, the Career Services Coordinator.

“Feedback from both students and alumni was very positive,” Allen said.  “Students were primarily from two Internship Prep classes, (BA 420 and CNED 280) but student leaders opened the event to all students. Many connections were made for potential opportunities and students are better prepared and more confident as they prepare for Career Days on March 1st and March 24th.”

Denita Wright Watson, Penn State Great Valley’s Academic Program Manager, said she loves participating and been to several of these events.

“I think it was a great event,” Watson said.  “The students were very well prepared, and they asked thoughtful and insightful questions and were very receptive to receiving advice. One thing that stood out to me was the way in which the students traveled in pairs to each station. I think it allowed them to offer support to each other. What I noticed in some of the groupings is that one person might have been nervous. However, the person they were paired with was very reassuring in making the person feel more comfortable by nodding and smiling.”

Virginia Harrison, Penn State Brandywine Assistant Director of Development and Blue and White Society Adviser, said she enjoyed seeing Penn Staters connect.

“The Speed Networking event at Brandywine was an excellent opportunity for alumni to be mentors,” Harrison said.  “It also gave them a chance to come back to campus and remember their time here.

Career Day will be held March 1 and 24; March Madness/Resumania will be held on March 21 and 22 to help students prepare. For more information or a list of all the events, visit www.bw.psu.edu/acs-events-fairs, or stop by Career Services located in 104 Main Building.