Like many college students, PC senior Ellen D’Amico is thinking about what she wants to do after she graduates. This October, she learned about how to best prepare for life after PC during three weekly Lunch and Learn events offered by the Office of Career Development and Student Success.

“The Lunch and Learns were an amazing opportunity to listen to professionals and several PC graduates about their jobs and their fields,” D’Amico said. “I gained insight that you can’t get from simply researching and reading about jobs and companies.”

Learning from Professionals

Each event focused on particular types of careers. Representatives from Unum Colonial Life and Enterprise Holdings, who sponsored the luncheons, discussed management training programs and sales during the first event.

Representatives from Unum Colonial Life returned for the second lunch. They joined TD bank representative to discuss sales and management training careers. And representatives from Robert Half International, Diversant, Palladium Hospice and Palliative Care focused on professional staffing and human resources during the last event.

D’Amico enjoyed lunch and took notes during all three. She and a classroom full of PC students learned first-hand what recruiters are looking for in recent college graduates.   The Lunch and Learn guests expressed the importance of having good communication skills, the right personality for the position, a willingness to learn and a good work ethic.

Succeeding in the Job Search

The recruiters also provided students with tips for succeeding in the job search. The employers advised students to always prepare for an interview, add leadership and organizational experience to their resumes, and network.

“The most helpful tip I took away was the importance of networking,” D’Amico said. “I already knew that it was a good thing to do, but they furthered this understanding when telling their own stories of moving up in their fields through hard work and networking.”

The Lunch and Learns also reinforced the idea that work experience is invaluable, even for recent college graduates.

“Internships and work experience are highly desired by employers,” said Kim Lane, associate dean of students and director of career development and student success. “Transferable skills such as problem-solving, teamwork and communication from all majors are also important to employers.”

Exploring Careers While in College

D’Amico is majoring in physics and minoring in math and business administration. She’s looking for physics-related jobs as well as business jobs where she can put her areas of study to use.

“The Lunch and Learns helped me begin narrowing down how I want to put my degree to work,” D’Amico said.

“Having these focused and personal Lunch and Learns allowed me to explore many different job fields, in an environment where I could engage and ask questions.”

Preparing for Life After College

The Office of Career Development and Student Success is planning to offer more Lunch and Learns in the spring semester. The two sessions include Building Strong Communities: Government and Non-profit Careers and STE(A)M Careers: Options Outside Healthcare.

Visit the Office of Career Development and Student Success to learn more about how the office helps prepare students for life after college.