Spring Forward: Colgate Alumni Inspire Career Growth

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This spring semester, the Colgate network came out in force as alumni returned to campus to share professional insights with students through panels, information sessions, workshops, and coffee chats.

Career Services hosted a number of industry-specific events featuring alumni. Events included Demystifying Careers at the Intersection of Law and ESG, Technical Interviewing for Finance, and a Conversation on the Intersection of Tech and Finance.

Student Dinner with U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus Kathleen Doherty ’85
Private student dinner with former U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus Kathleen Doherty ’85 (third from right)

Former U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus Kathleen Doherty ’85 returned to Colgate for a lecture sponsored by the Lampert Institute and a private dinner for 10 students coordinated by Career Services. During the dinner, she offered insights on her career in global diplomacy, emphasizing the importance of gaining early international experiences.

Students interested in career paths in communications and public relations heard from Liv Mikesell ’24, who shared applicant tips and insights on her role at Sloane & Company, a strategic communications firm specializing in media and investor relations, crisis management, and public affairs.

Joe Kasztejna ’96 from Abbott hosted several events with students about career paths in the global health care services and products industry.

Tom Sulger ’22, Christopher Norris ’13, and Marisa Gorelov ’08 from Evercore, an ​​independent global investment banking firm, spoke to students about the industry, recruitment, and company culture over coffee chats and an info session.

Luke Weeks Presents Python
Luke Weeks ’00 presents Python Fundamentals

Luke Weeks ’00 returned to campus to teach Python Fundamentals, exposing students to key skills needed in computer science, software engineering, and other programming-related fields.

“For a two-day seminar, I was able to learn a great deal of information about Python basics, which I can see as extremely useful in my preparation for my upcoming summer internship,” said Kegan Foley ’26.

To supplement this programming, Career Services advisers hosted skills-based workshops tailored for students at each stage of their career development. Sessions included Interviewing 101, Writing and Targeting Résumés, Summer Experience Search for Juniors, Senior-Year Job Search, Professional Self-Advocacy, and workshops on LinkedIn and Big Interview.

To stay updated on events and opportunities, students are encouraged to read Career Services’ weekly newsletter, What’s Going On, which hits inboxes every Sunday at noon. Colgate alumni interested in sharing their advice and experiences with students should contact careervolunteer@colgate.edu.