Career Exploration Week returns with STEM focus

For students interested in pursuing careers in science and technology, Sept. 21 kicks off a week of exploration. 

The first in a series of career events held throughout the academic year that focus on a variety of industries, this second annual Technology Exploration Week brings together various departments and invites broad participation from the College’s vast alumni pool for networking, employer recruiting sessions and more from fields related to science, technology and engineering. 

Presented by the Hale Center for Career Development, the Exploration Week series demonstrates the reach career development at Conn has beyond the typical resume-writing and job placement efforts colleges make.  

“Through the Exploration Week program series, we’re providing a vehicle to educate students on a variety of professional industries, connect with our amazing alumni community, and implement professional development learning they’ve acquired through working with the Hale Center and other campus departments,” said Director of Employer Relations Ryan Edmonds.

“We’re excited that this programming series also provides us with an opportunity to collaborate with faculty and align classroom learning to the professional world,” he added. 

The series consists of six events held throughout the year, each with a separate industry focus. In addition to the science and technology week, themes include health and medicine, business and finance, government, law and international relations, careers for the common good, and careers in arts and entertainment.  

Each respective week offers alumni, parents and employers the chance to engage with students and provide opportunities for informational sessions and skill development, with close to 100 alumni and parents participating throughout the year. The science and technology week involves more than a dozen prominent alumni from relevant fields.

Michael Kelly ’10 is one alumnus from the technology sector to participate in the year’s first exploration week. Kelly, who works for Cervello, a Boston-based professional services firm that advises organizations on data use, said he’s impressed with how the College’s career engagement has evolved in recent years. 

“The career exploration week gives students exposure to various career paths and networking connections with Conn alumni,” Kelly said. “When I graduated, I didn't know anything about my line of work, so I figure there is a lot of value for students to hear about any insights we have gained that may help our future alum navigate the beginning of their careers.” 

Kelly’s fellow Camel and coworker, Michael Vascovitz ’10, is also participating in the week’s remote activities.

“When I graduated, I utilized the alumni portal to find Camels who could tell me about their professional experiences and help me sharpen my interview skills,” Vascovitz said. “That benefited me immensely and made me wish I had taken advantage of similar opportunities while I was a student, so needless to say, when we had the opportunity to give back during Career Exploration Week, Mike and I were thrilled to share our experience with current students!”