Penn State Beaver’s homecoming week festivities started off with an alumni and student networking event.
Forty-four students, 13 alumni and 14 Penn State Beaver employees, some of whom are also alumni, participated in the Oct. 13, 2022, event in the Student Union Building Lodge, which began with a question-and-answer panel discussion.
Alumni who participated in the panel were Laura Tocci ’82 Marketing, Kevin Malobisky ’89 Science, Michael Lincheck ’01 Electrical Engineering, and Matthew Welch III ’12 Telecommunications, ’18 Information Science Technology. Students asked the panelists about their college experience, career paths and for advice as they prepare for the job market.
Following the panel discussion there was a speed networking event. Students rotated to various tables — decorated with flowers from the student farm — to talk to alumni and Penn State Beaver employees about their careers and ask for advice.
Students also had an opportunity to participate in mock interviews. Alumni Jade Wiatrak ’19 Business, Allison Springer ’17 Business Management Marketing, Julia McDowell ’04 Business, Deborah DeCostro ’82 Economics, David Kroll ’09 Business Administration, and Amanda Leseman ’17 Administration of Justice interviewed students to give them practice for their future job search.
While the event was slated to last for two hours, students and alumni were so engaged they continued to chat afterward, and several students found internship opportunities for the future.