Liberal Arts Majors: Labor and Employment Relations, Labor and Human Resources, and Psychology
Hometown: Syosset, NY
Current Location: Cleveland, OH
What enrichment activities did you participate in as a student?
I participated in the spring 2011 Disney College Program. In spring 2013, I studied abroad in Perugia, Italy. Later in summer 2013, I interned at Viacom, Inc. in New York City as a Global and Organizational Leadership Development intern. Finally, during summer 2014, I interned at The One Group in New York City as an HR intern.
What was your first job after graduating from Penn State?
I worked in the Human Resources Development Program at Nestlé. I relocated to Glendale, California, for my first rotation.
What was your favorite class?
My favorite class was HRER 536: Diversity in the Workplace during my grad program in HRER. It really unlocked my passion in the diversity, equity, and inclusion space and helped me learn there is an opportunity in a career in this space. It challenged me to think about diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and eventually became a topic for my research paper.
How did your liberal arts education and skills prepare you for life after graduation?
My liberal arts education helped make me more resourceful and strengthened my curiosity. It gave me the courage to speak up in classes, which led to speaking up in meetings at job. It also helped me develop my leadership skills and really gave me the opportunity to collaborate with others.
What networking advice would you share with current students?
Never be afraid to reach out to someone, but make sure you're specific with what you're hoping you can get out of the conversation. If it's to learn about their current job or a topic they are very knowledgeable about, it goes a long way. Don't just look at networking as a way to get a job. There are so many benefits you can unlock through networking and connections to people you may not have had the opportunity to connect with if you didn't reach out.
What role have mentors played in your career progression?
Mentors are there to provide guidance, not give you answers or sway you to think one way. I always relied on my mentors to help me look at situations at all angles and helping me to make sure I was thinking thoroughly about making a decision.