By Lucy Honeywell; Photo Credits to Susquehanna University Photos
Susquehanna University’s commitment to student and alumni relations was on full display at Break Through 2026 on Feb. 6 and 7. The first session welcomed 2007 alum, Drew Yeger, who now works at Legacy Partners, a financial management firm. His biggest piece of advice for managing your money is to “save yourself” by saving early on. At the “Leveraging Susquehanna Connections” panel, students were able to ask questions one-on-one with the panelists.
“It is a full circle moment to come back,” said Casey Nickerson, a 2023 graduate. She gave advice on how to navigate the transition from college to work life. Nickerson is also a member of the Alumni Board that oversees University operations and decisions. She was excited to reconnect with her former teammate on the women’s soccer team, Tessa Rendina.
Redina, who now works in higher education, said, “It is so Susquehanna that I can recognize a third of the people in this room.” Also on the panel was her fiancé, Seamus Hanrahan, who she met at Susquehanna.
On Saturday, panels such as “Careers in Healthcare” to “How to get it Write: Publishing and Editing” offered networking for all majors. At the “Navigating a Job and Internship Search” panel, alumni gave tips and tricks about job applications and interviews. Amanda Hamilton, 2023 alum, said her biggest piece of advice is to be confident, even if it is fake. Miles Collins, 2017 alum, stressed the importance of selling yourself and storytelling your experiences to employers.
Miranda Moser, assistant director of career development at the Career Development Center, said, “Break Through is giving students the opportunity to talk to people who have been in your shoes without doing the work for yourself.”
The Career Development Center strives for post-graduation success through on-campus job and internship events. Moser also highlighted the benefits for alumni: “Not only are we inviting alumni to come back to engage with students, but they get something out of it as well. It is just as much for the alums as it is for the students”.
The student and alumni networking opportunities continue with the upcoming Sigmund Weis School of Business sponsored trip to New York City on Feb. 24.