Over 40 Bryan graduate students attended the recent Alumni Career Panel to listen to alumni share stories of how they progressed in their professional lives from graduate students at UNCG to where they are currently in their careers.

During the first half of the discussion, which was hosted by the Bryan School’s Graduate Career Services, panelists shared their backgrounds and recollections of their job searches during graduate school and offered tips for students to gain a competitive edge in their job searches. The second half of the session was an interactive discussion to allow students the opportunity to ask questions and to receive tailored advice on their career interests from the diverse group of panelists. The panel included:

Chris Barko, MBA ’00: Lead Project Analyst and Engineer for Laboratory Corporation of America

Renee Hiner, MBA ’93: Director of Risk Management for Volvo Financial Services

Anita Luthra, MSITM ’02: Technical Project Lead for GMAC Insurance

Sean McGinnis, MBA ’06: Senior Project Manager of Global Web Communication for the Center for Creative Leadership

Neil Shoffner, MBA ’00: Associate Marketing Manager for Hanesbrands Inc.

A recurrent theme echoed by several of the panelists was the importance of using internships, mentoring, and job shadowing as networking opportunities to advance one’s career. While the original focus of the conversation was on how to conduct a successful job search, alumni also shared their insights on the bigger picture of building and managing productive and fulfilling careers. Panelists stressed the importance of always keeping abreast of developments in their fields through the regular reading of trade journals and other professional publications as well as constantly seeking out opportunities for continuing education.

-November 2006