Westminster College Hosts Professional Networking Symposium Friday
NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. — Students and job-seekers alike will have an opportunity to build their professional networks during the Professional Networking Symposium at Westminster College.
The event is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. on Sept. 10, and attendees can participate in person or virtually. Featured parts of the event include a career fair, breakout panels and networking opportunities with alumni and experienced professionals, according to a press release.
Sessions are designed to address specific topics and interests for students in all majors. The will include participants with directly relevant work experience and will be moderated by experienced professionals.
“My professional network expanded exponentially as a result of the Professional Networking Symposium,” Lauren Millhorn, a junior English major said about the past two events. “I have made phenomenal connections with people I still speak with on a regular basis, and those connections have led me to awards, interviews and internships. Our alumni are willing to give as much guidance as possible, and this symposium is a true testament to that.”
Closing the symposium is the “Before You Swipe Left” keynote session scheduled for 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. in the Mueller Lecture Hall of McKelvey Campus Center During the open forum, alumni and students will discuss workplace environments, challenges and professional growth.
Keynote panelists include:
• Tony Brown, chief talent officer for Fisher Phillips LLP and Westminster Board of Trustees member
• Lisa Peters, retired senior executive vice president and chief human resources officer for BNY Mellon and Westminster Board of Trustees member
• Dr. Jamie McMinn, Westminster vice president for academic affairs and dean of the College
• Gina Vance, Westminster vice president for student affairs and dean of students
• Kim Christofferson, Westminster director of human resources
The speed session “Developing Your Network and Job Skills in the Real World” will be moderated by Curtis Sprouse, president and CEO of the Boston-based EurekaConnect. Sprouse brings professional experience in the high-tech, health care, pharmaceutical and finance industries, including as a founding member of Boston Market Strategies Inc. That session is scheduled from 11:50 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Businesses represented at the career fair include 31st Street Studios, Aston Carter, BNY Mellon, Bittel & Co. Insurance, Civil & Environmental Consultants Inc., Cohen & Co., Coliseum Medical Center, Duquesne University School of Pharmacy, Event ID, Excela Health, HD Davis CPAs, Highmark Health, Hill, Barth and King LLC, JFS Wealth Advisors, the Pennsylvania State Police, SoftWriters and Widener University Commonwealth Law School.
Students who register in advance and attend the symposium are eligible for a student networking award through the endowed Networking Success Fund. The award is given to students who demonstrate success in networking at the symposium and follow up with contacts after the event.
Participating alumni are invited to attend a casual post-event reception from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Hop Asylum, 138 S. Market St.
For more information about the symposium, visit Westminster.edu/pns or contact Kara Montgomery at 724 946 7363 or montgokh@westminster.edu.
Image: Westminster College
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
