Liberal Arts Major: Labor and Employment Relations
Liberal Arts Minor: Communication Arts and Sciences
Hometown: Weedsport, NY
Current Location: Garnet Valley, PA
Tell us about enrichment activities you participated in as a student.
I was a springboard diver and competed on the team all four years. I was also the team representative and founding member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Board (SAAB), which lead to being the D1 NorthEast student-athlete representative to the NCAA's student-athlete council. Additionally, I was the treasurer for Penn State's Labor Studies Club. Each spring I tried new things, which resulted in helping big brothers/big sisters; skydiving; showing a pig at the Little International Livestock show; and being a hugger for Special Olympics.
What was your first job after graduating from Penn State?
It was with Fluor Daniel in their Industrial Relations Department. Fluor Daniel was a multi-national, predominately non-union, construction company. My office was in Greenville, South Carolina, but I also traveled extensively.
What was your favorite class and/or who was your favorite faculty member?
Labor Negotiations was my favorite, because we debated on an actual contract and were able to see what the final outcome was. The class negotiated within self-imposed narrow parameters, but the real negotiations totally evolved the contract. This taught us to think expansively and look for unusual compromises.
How did your liberal arts education and skills prepare you for life after graduation?
It was a well-rounded education grounded in key core curriculum. Many things I learned, as well as how to think, have served me well in my career and life.
What networking advice would you share with current students?
The more people you know, the more opportunities that will be presented to you. What is fantastic is as you build a network you also get to reach out and connect others who might not have met otherwise.
What role have mentors played in your career progression?
They have given me the confidence to try things and have been a safe place to discuss ideas and concerns. I've learned from their experiences and benefited from their wisdom.