December 18, 2018
For nearly 40 years, students from St. John’s University interested in career opportunities in and around Washington, D.C. have been offered a unique networking opportunity through the Alumni Insider’s View...US Capital program. Thanks to the generosity of alumni—who are where these students hope to be someday—students enjoy several days in our nation’s capital, absorbing the knowledge and practical experience offered by a host of St. John’s graduates.
Offered by the Office of Alumni Relations and University Career Services, this year’s trip took place from October 9 to 13; more than 40 participating students were exposed to a wide array of informational activities, tours, and networking receptions. Some of the highlights included visits to the US Secret Service James J. Rowley (’36L) Training Center, the FBI Headquarters/J. Edgar Hoover Building, the US Supreme Court, the US Capitol, and for the first time—the White House.
Students attended two panel discussions about leadership and networking moderated by Brian Browne ’93C, ’97G, Executive Director for University Relations and Assistant Vice President for Government Relations, and William L. Murphy, Esq., Assistant Professor, Division of Criminal Justice, Legal Studies, and Homeland Security, College of Professional Studies.
“The St. John’s University Alumni Insider’s View… (AIV) Program is an excellent example of the networking benefits that come with membership in the St. John’s family,” Mr. Browne observed. “The DC AIV program has changed and expanded over the years, but what endures is the personal commitment from dedicated alumni who want to help the next generation of students from St. John’s.”
Cooper Miqueli, a Government and Politics major, said interacting with St. John's alumni working in the DC area gave him a clear vision for the path his future might take “and all the amazing opportunities available to a St. John's graduate in the DC metropolitan area.”
“The highlight of the trip was visiting the White House and the Secret Service training facility,” observed Joselyn Matamoros, an Accounting major from the Staten Island campus. She added, “I became an American citizen two years ago, and I’m a first-generation college student. It felt surreal. My family migrated to the United States in search of the American dream, and I felt this was perhaps my first step in attaining that dream.”
“Before I went on the trip, I was pretty certain that I wanted to work on Capitol Hill,” observed Sociology major Brylan Hoover-Hankerson. “However, after talking to alumni involved in the Foreign Service, US Securities and Exchange Commission, and nongovernmental organizations, my eyes were open to the countless possibilities that exist for someone interested in government service.” He noted that the common thread shared by all the alumni he met was one critical piece of advice: “Never be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and take advantage of all the opportunities presented to you because you never know what path your career will take.”
“I think it is important to expose our students to the wealth of potential employment and internship opportunities available to them in different metropolitan locations, including the nation’s capital,” observed Kathleen McGovern, Esq. ’88CBA, ’91L. Ms. McGovern is Senior Deputy for Litigation at Ernst & Young and currently sits on The Peter J. Tobin College of Business Board of Advisors. “It is great for alumni, because it helps them stay connected with—and support—St. John’s in a meaningful way.”
The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences offered more than 30 of their students a similar opportunity that same week. Their trip included visits to the US headquarters of AstraZeneca, the US Department of Health and Human Services, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and the US Food & Drug Administration, among several others, as well as networking opportunities.
“Alumni and speakers at each institution provided students with insight into their professional careers, the mission of their respective institutions, and their education experience,” said Russell J. DiGate, Ph.D., Dean, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, noting that the program continues to grow each year. He added, “Through the AIV… program, students have been able to secure new rotation opportunities at Walter Reed, the Association of Managed Care Pharmacists, and the Pharmacy Quality Alliance.”