GOLD Launches Professional Networking Series

St. John’s University Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD) hosted their first Professional Networking Series (PNS) program, which focused on millennial career topics that affect recent graduates, on March 14. The event also provided opportunities for networking and engagement.

More than 50 alumni attended the program featuring a panel discussion with industry leaders at the New York Hilton Midtown. Panelists included Allie Aoanan ’12TCB, ’13MS, Tax Associate, Goldman Sachs; Sherwin Cadore ’10TCB, Director of Sales Enablement, Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.; Marisa Clemente, Associate Director of the New York Program, Brown University; Michael Hughes, M.B.A. ’01TCB, Private Wealth Advisor, Goldman Sachs; and Peter Lyons, Sales Development Team Manager, Reelio.

The evening was hosted by GOLD Leadership member Gregory Krantz ’13C, who introduced discussion topics that ranged from learning how to pinpoint your exact career interests, leaving a job too soon, having difficult conversations with managers, and making transitions.

Panelists highlighted the importance of hard work, maintaining a strong work ethic, having confidence in your abilities, building a brand, strengthening relationships, and being patient. The evening’s main takeaway involved transparency; the key to success is to be transparent with yourself, your family, and your company and manager. Let them know what you are willing to do and what you can offer because it is important to build value. The ultimate goal is to design a life rather than a career, which is a concept often undervalued by millennials.

“Begin with the end in mind and then ask yourself, ‘Where am I going and where do I want to go?’” said Mr. Lyons. “Once you do that, it is important that you build relationships with people and prove yourself, because once you are able to get people to invest in you, you are bound to be successful.”           

Another lesson learned was that every experience provides a learning opportunity. “Anyone can learn from people above, below, and parallel to them,” said Ms. Aoanan. “It is crucial to recognize that during your career it is acceptable to outgrow a company, change paths, and transition into something else—in fact, that is normal and welcome.”

View the full Flickr gallery here. 

Produced by: Brooke Collins, Public Relations Major, Class of 2022