Networking & Career Exploration Connect Networking & Career Day Sponsored by the David S. Rocchino Family Foundation in partnership with the Scholar Alumni Society

Connect Networking & Career Day brings more than 50 Scholar alumni to campus for a day of career-related panel discussions and networking. With expertise in a variety of fields, Scholar alumni are ready to share their knowledge and perspectives with current Scholars. Whether you are exploring majors, considering internships, preparing for graduate or professional school, or sending out resumes for employment, this event is for you.

Apr 4

Optional Networking Reception

  • 5:30 PM
  • Nittany Lion Inn, University Park
Apr 5

Connect 2025

  • 1:00 - 5:00 PM
  • Forest Resources Building, University Park
Scholar RSVP
CONNECT Networking and Career Day logo

Event Schedule

Overview

12:00 - 1:00 PM Free Professional Headshots Atrium
12:30 - 1:30 PM Event Registration & Check-In Atrium
1:00 - 1:40 PM Welcome Remarks & Event Overview Room 112, Auditorium

1:40 - 2:25 PM Session 1 Panels

Panels
Legal Eagles: Navigation Exciting Paths in Law Room 102

Delve into the exciting journeys of legal professionals who have made their mark on the legal field. Gain insights into law school, the legal profession, and its opportunities.

Social Science Safari: Alumni Adventures in Education, Psychology, Sociology, and Social Work Room 105

Join us as we showcase alumni in psychology, sociology, social work, and education. Our alumni will share their experiences in helping individuals, communities, and the education sector. Discover how these social sciences and education can be a powerful force for positive change and community betterment.

Innovation & Passion Unite: How Alumni Dared to Follow Their Dreams Room 106

Explore inspiring stories of alumni who followed their passions into careers, started their own ventures, and took risks based on their values. Learn about unconventional career paths and how your major can lead you to unexpected opportunities.

Science & Engineering Innovations: Solving Today's Problems and Creating Tomorrow's Future Room 107

Explore how a STEM degree can propel you into a world of opportunities from engineering to industries like consulting, law, finance, sustainability, and more. Discover the practical applications of STEM degrees as our alumni share their experiences and insights on how they have applied STEM knowledge in diverse career paths.

2:25 - 2:45 PM Networking Session 1 Atrium

Network with panelists from the first session. Scholars will have the opportunity to speak one-on-one or in small groups with the alumni present. Additionally, alumni will be located around the atrium to talk about topics including the job search process, resumes, cover letters, personal statements, elevator pitches, and networking and mentoring, among other subjects.

2:50 - 3:35 PM Session 2 Panels & Table Talks

Panels
The Art & Science of Sustainable Futures: Cross-Disciplinary Approaches to Environmental Stewardship Room 102

Join the conversation about environmental sustainability. Discover how alumni from diverse backgrounds come together to tackle environmental challenges, from engineering to policy development.

BizBuzz: Thriving in the Business World Room 106

This session will equip you with a comprehensive understanding of finance, marketing, management consulting, investment banking, and more job options. Discover how to stand out in the recruitment process and pursue a business career, regardless of your major.

The Data Revolution: Insights into Data Science & Analytics, Ethical and Legal Issues Room 107

Data literacy is essential in today's world. Explore how our alumni utilize data in various fields, from economics to statistics to data analytics. Discover the convergence of skills from computer science, mathematics, and business analytics while considering the ethical and legal implications of data usage.

Even More School? Graduate School (MBA, STEM, Arts & Humanities) Room 112

Are you considering extending your education for a few more years? Attend this panel to gain insights into the decision-making process behind graduate school. Discover the varied career options that await you after completing your advanced education.

Table Talks
Telling Your Story: Verbally Sharing Your Story in Interviews and Networking Interactions 1st Floor Atrium (behind staircase)

Learn how to share your story verbally during an interview or through networking interactions.

Telling Your Story: Sharing Your Story in Writing Through Your Resume, Cover Letter, Personal Statement, and Email 2nd Floor Atrium

Learn how to tell your story through your resume, cover letter, personal statement, or email.

3:35 - 3:55 PM Networking Session 2 Atrium

Network with panelists from the second session. Scholars will have the opportunity to speak one-on-one or in small groups with the alumni present. Additionally, alumni will be located around the atrium to talk about topics including the job search process, resumes, cover letters, personal statements, elevator pitches, and networking and mentoring, among other subjects.

4:00 - 4:45 PM Session 3 Panels & Table Talks

Panels
Telling Your Story: Communicating About You as You Strive to Achieve Your Professional Goals Room 101

The ability to effectively and concisely convey your story is a critical career and life skill. From networking to interviewing, to writing about yourself, you will often be asked, “Tell me about you” and this session will provide an overview of strategies to respond as well as practice generating a response that you will be confident and comfortable sharing.

Healthcare Horizons: Exploring Careers in Medicine and Beyond Room 102

Explore a wide range of healthcare career options beyond medical school. Learn about nursing, M.D. and D.O. pathways, biobehavioral science, communications science, and healthcare policy from Scholar alumni who have experienced these paths.

Diversity and Inclusion: Alumni Transforming Workplaces Room 105

Join us to discuss how alumni have been at the forefront of championing diversity and inclusion in their respective fields. Explore the compelling business case for diversity and equity, emphasizing their essential role in creating more inclusive workplaces and driving positive change in society.

Navigating the Public Sector: Shaping Policies for a Better Tomorrow Room 106

Join alumni who have pursued careers in government, NGOs, nonprofit organizations, and more, whether at the local, state, or federal levels. This panel will discuss the importance of public service, the various career paths available in these sectors, and the opportunities that drive positive change in communities and the nation as a whole.

Consulting Chronicles: Decoding the Consulting World Room 107

This panel is designed for Scholars from any academic background interested in the world of consulting, whether it is management consulting, economic consulting, CSR consulting, or more. Dive into the unique aspects of each consulting field and gain insights into the work associated with them. Discover how your academic background can be an asset in the consulting world.

Table Talks
Telling Your Story: Verbally Sharing Your Story in Interviews and Networking Interactions 1st Floor Atrium (behind staircase)

Learn how to share your story verbally during an interview or through networking interactions.

Telling Your Story: Sharing Your Story in Writing Through Your Resume, Cover Letter, Personal Statement, and Email 2nd Floor Atrium

Learn how to tell your story through your resume, cover letter, personal statement, or email.

4:45 - 5:00 PM Networking Session 3 Atrium

Network with panelists from the third session. Scholars will have the opportunity to speak one-on-one or in small groups with the alumni present. Additionally, alumni will be located around the atrium to talk about topics including the job search process, resumes, cover letters, personal statements, elevator pitches, and networking and mentoring, among other subjects.

Successful Scholar Alumni Alumni Bios

Learn more about the Scholar alumni attending this year's event.

Robert Anderson headshot

Robert Anderson Assistant Counsel - Compliance, PSEG Long Island

Samuel Bonsall headshot

Samuel Bonsall Deloitte & Touche Teaching Excellence Professor of Accounting, Penn State Smeal College of Business

Charles Burrows headshot

Charles Burrows Deputy Director of Pro Bono Services, Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania

Alexis Collins headshot

Alexis Collins Associate Booking Producer, MS NOW (formerly MSNBC)

Rachel Dungan headshot

Rachel Dungan Director, AcademyHealth

Ilya Ekshtut headshot

Ilya Ekshtut Partner, Avalanche Investments

Atif Ghauri headshot

Atif Ghauri President, UltraViolet Cyber

Sean Griffin headshot

Sean Griffin Humanitarian Program Advisor, US Department of State

Andrew Gutberlet headshot

Andrew Gutberlet Project Delivery Division Head, Applied Research Lab, Penn Statee

Duncan Hayes headshot

Duncan Hayes Principal, Bates White Economic Consulting

Gabriel Hiestand headshot

Gabriel Hiestand Staff Engineer, Herbert, Rowland, & Grubic, Inc.

Karah Hughes headshot

Karah Hughes Administrative and Programs Coordinator, Centre Helps

Nathan Jacobs headshot

Nathan Jacobs Patent Agent, Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks, P.C.

Marvin Johnson headshot

Marvin Johnson Associate Director, Marketing - Scrum Master, Merck

Sue Kelley headshot

Sue Kelley Associate Teaching Professor of Biobehavioral Health, Penn State College of Health and Human Development

Andrew Kreider headshot

Andrew Kreider Communications Director, Chester County, PA

Catherine Kuhns headshot

Catherine Kuhns Senior Research Associate, Urban Institute

Ellie Manca headshot

Ellie Manca Senior Manager, Global Publications, Aegnus

Ed Marx headshot

Ed Marx Vice President, Enterprise Analytics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Ed Marx is the Director of Enterprise Analytics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he has worked since 2011. His team works with leaders across the Medical Center to help them frame their opportunities and questions, design the analytics that will most effectively address their needs, and present the results of their analysis. Ed spent seven years with McKinsey & Company before accepting his role at Vanderbilt. During his time there, he helped create the McKinsey Hospital Institute (renamed Objective Health), an offering focused towards community providers that enabled them to capture bottom line impact and build capabilities through proprietary analytics, web-based performance tools, and benchmarking/expertise. He led the development of client solutions including a cost allocation model, physician utilization analyses, and lean training/implementation. Prior to McKinsey, Ed spent four years with Procter & Gamble where he led teams in the installation and equipment setup of new diaper production lines. Ed graduated summa cum laude and with honors from Penn State with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and earned his Masters of Business Administration from Harvard Business School.
Krishna Mehta headshot

Krishna Mehta Senior Mechanical Engineer, GFT

Philip Meier headshot

Philip Meier Vice President, ZMC

Since graduating from SHC, I have worked at KPMG in their Deal Advisory practice and currently work as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs. In my previous role at KPMG, I was challenged to not only form opinions on M&A deal matters that drive the decisions made by our private equity clients but also recommend actions to implement post-acquisition strategies. During this process, I have driven the decision making process of M&A investors as an advisor and led efforts to obtain our clients the best acquisition terms. This experience prepared me to lead M&A transactions in my current role on the TMT desk as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs. From a mentoring perspective I am well positioned to provide insight to students interested in pursuing careers in consulting, accounting and banking. I can speak of my professional experiences and which experiences at SHC really accelerated my professional development as well as advice on relevant professional designations (CPA, CFA, etc.) in the field.
Nicole Miao headshot

Nicole Miao Manager, Omnichannel Engagement Analytics, Customer Insights & Analytics, Nordstrom

Matthew Popek headshot

Matthew Popek Transportation Planning Manager, Montgomery County (PA) Planning Commission

Dana Ray headshot

Dana Ray language strategist, healthcare justice advocate,

Galen Reeder headshot

Galen Reeder Senior Vice President, Operations, dormakaba

Luciano Ricondo headshot

Luciano Ricondo Partner, Merchant & Gould P.C.

Jeffrey Ruben headshot

Jeffrey Ruben President, WSFS Home Lending, WSFS Bank

Lisa Ruch headshot

Lisa Ruch Assistant Dean and Professor of Humanities and General Education, Bay Path University (MA)

Sarah Shaffer headshot

Sarah Shaffer Rates & Regulatory Director, EQT Corporation

Alysha Ulrich headshot

Alysha Ulrich Climate Policy Specialist, State of Delaware

Logan Wincott headshot

Logan Wincott Law Student, Penn State Dickinson Law

Jack Yoskowitz headshot

Jack Yoskowitz Litigation Law Firm Partner, Seward & Kissel LLP

Schreyer Scholar Hannah Lombardo

With their small size and engaging professors, the hallmark feature of honors classes is being able to facilitate the deeper and more meaningful learning of course material in an intimate setting. Having that personal feedback in an environment that promotes asking questions has been very formative in my education.

Hannah Lombardo ' 20 Science BS/MBA