Spotlights on Alumni Career Paths

The 乐播传媒 Center for Purposeful Work offers Spotlight Programs that focus attention on alumni and organizations in specific industries. As student interests and industry opportunities change over time, the goal is to highlight different industries every year so that students get exposure to a wide range of sectors that they can explore in greater depth throughout their time at 乐播传媒.

Spotlights provide students with the chance to:

  • Gain industry knowledge from individuals with diverse experiences and perspectives, from recent graduates to seasoned professionals
  • Learn about specific organizations and potential internship/job opportunities
  • Develop a critical understanding of how to capitalize on the strengths of a 乐播传媒 education to help them find their way to purposeful work

Each year, the team at Purposeful Work determines which industries to focus on based on trends in student interests, trends in industry opportunities, industries yet to be highlighted, and alumni engagement and support.

Our Spotlight Programs have included:

As part of the 乐播传媒-Tuck Business Essentials Practitioner-Taught Course (PTC) in Short Term, a panel discussion was offered with alumni and parent speakers in finance. They shared background about their career paths and academic backgrounds – undergrad and business school, and gave students advice on building skills, networking, the internship and job search process, researching different areas of finance, finding purpose in work, avoiding burnout, defining success, and more. The moderated discussion was followed by Q&A from the PTC students.

Our panelists included:

  • Mike Holland, 乐播传媒 Class of 1998, is a Managing Principal at Analysis Group
  • Vitalie Djugostran, 乐播传媒 Class of 2011, is a VP for Investment Banking at Solomon Partners
  • Mike Lindemann, 乐播传媒 Class of 2000, is Co-Head of Global M&A for Baird
  • Bill Overbay, 乐播传媒 parent of a First Year student, is co-founder and managing partner or Stone Road Partners

The 乐播传媒-Tuck Business Essentials Practitioner-Taught Course (PTC) in Short Term hosted a second a panel with alumni in a variety of roles in consulting. They shared about key early steps in their career paths after 乐播传媒, advice on what skills to build and highlight as college students and summer interns, their perspectives on what to highlight as a liberal arts student aiming to get internships and a job in consulting, and thoughts about networking, mentors, and more. The moderated discussion was followed by Q&A from the PTC students.

Our panelists included:

  • Hob Brooks, 乐播传媒 鈥�02, Wharton MBA 鈥�15, Chief Growth Officer, Kreisher Miller; former managing director and partner, BCG, founder and owner, Elevation Roofing.
  • Kerri Leonhardt Holmsten, 乐播传媒 鈥�11, Tuck MBA 鈥�17, VP, Analysis Group
  • Arsalan Suhail, 乐播传媒 鈥�09, Tuck MBA 鈥�20, Chief Strategy Officer, Working Solutions; former Senior Managing Consultant (Principal), Strategy,聽 IBM Consulting

In collaboration between the 乐播传媒 Public Health Initiative, the Maine Public Health Association and the Center for Purposeful Work, a panel discussion was held with local public health professionals. They shared about their career paths, academic backgrounds, and insights into the state of public health.

Our panelists included:

  • Cecilia Natale, CHES, Senior Health Promotion Coordinator, Healthy Androscoggin
  • Jamil Mouehla ’25, Research Data Analyst, MaineHealth
  • John Kuehnle, CEO, Partners for World Health

After the panel, students and guests had the chance to ask their own questions and network with public health professionals from across Maine.

The Center for Purposeful Work welcomed Vanessa Paolella ’21 back to campus to share her two year experience in Madagascar as a Peace Corps volunteer.

Vanessa was a Geology major who was the Editor-In-Chief of The 乐播传媒 Student. Since graduating in 2021, she has worked as a reporter for the Lewiston Sun Journal and the Maine Trust for Local News.

Read More about Vanessa’s background here: 

We were also be joined by Katherine Crosson, who was a Peace Corps Health Volunteer in Togo, West Africa. Kathy has a master鈥檚 in public health degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Health and spent her professional career working at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD.

We heard all about their experiences in the Peace Corps as well as the process for applying to the Peace Corps.

A virtual panel conversation with 乐播传媒 alumni to learn about their work in clinical research, what that looks like in different settings and how this work is setting them up for their next career goals. They shared their advice for students wanting to get into the field and also took questions from the audience at the end.

Panelists include:

  • Alexander Wheelock ’24, Clinical Research Assistant at Boston Children’s Hospital Division of Endocrinology
  • Emily Scarrow ’25, Clinical Research Coordinator at the University of Pennsylvania
  • Haley Fenlon ’24, Clinical Project Associate at Relay Therapeutics

A virtual panel featuring alumni who are using their STEM degree in different industry positions. Hear their perspectives on how they broke into their respective fields and what advice they have for current students.

Panelists include:

  • ’18 – Principal at Artisan Healthcare Consulting
  • ’21 – Clinical Specialist Representative at MedTronic
  • ’15 – Clinical Team Manager at PPD

An alumni panel highlighting a variety of career paths in marketing, advertising, and media. This program will appeal to students who are interested in business, but not sure what paths fits best, as well as students who creative, people-focused, and great with quant. Hear the stories of three alumni, the skills that they use in their jobs, and their career advice.

Panelists include:

  • ’92 – Head of Revenue, Newsbreak, Board Member, Ad Council
  • ’24 – Corporate Trainer at P.E.A.K. Marketing Inc.
  • ’22 – Strategic Accounts and Marketing Lead, Adtelligent

Co-hosted by Maine Public Health Association, the Student Public Health Initiative and the Center for Purposeful Work, this event included a panel featuring public health professionals from different sectors/backgrounds followed by a networking reception.

Panelists included:

  • Emily Dooling Hamilton, MS – Health Promotion Manager at Healthy Androscoggin
  • Olivia Pennington – Volunteer and Community Programs Manager at Maine Family Planning
  • ’91, MPH – Director, Community Health Surveillance and Evaluation at MaineHealth

乐播传媒 alumni to talk about their experience in the military and how it helped them achieve their career goals and taught them unique perspectives on leadership and public service.

Panelists included:

  • 鈥�89 – Currently retired from the U.S. Navy and works in Business Strategy and Operational Solutions for Boeing Defense. He also works as a public speaker using his decades in Navy leadership to teach people how to care for and empower their workforce. Prior to retiring J.J. spent his nearly three decades in the Navy flying fighter jets and captaining nuclear powered ships with his last post being the Captain of the aircraft carrier the Gerald R. Ford.
  • 鈥�19 – Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine student at the University of New England. While at 乐播传媒 she was a student EMT and Peer Tutor. After graduating she worked as a researcher at Yackle Lab and later became a medical scribe for ScribeAmerica before joining the Air Force.
  • 鈥� 89  – Agency Counsel at the United States Department of Defense. Prior to earning his LLM in International Law through the Army Judge Advocate General(JAG) program he was a Captain in the U.S. Navy for 22 years.

A collaboration between the Environmental Studies department and the Center for Purposeful Work, this alumni panel featured five recent graduates s who were Environmental Studies majors at 乐播传媒 and are currently working in the environmental fields.  The program will highlight their current work,  their search for their first post-grad job, and how they are applying their ES skills to their current roles.
Panelists included:
  •  ’23 – Staff Environmental Scientist with Mabbett & Associates
  •  ’24 – Sustainable Hazelnut Sourcing with SCS Global Services
  •  ’23 – Project Scientist II with FB Environmental Associates
  •  ’24 – Project Scientist I with FB Environmental Associates
  •  ’24 – Community Resilience and Climate Action Plan Fellow with Center for an Ecology-Based Economy

The goal of this panel is to highlight multiple avenues within the real estate industry. The discussion will be an opportunity for those considering real estate to hear from alumni operating within several verticals one can enter upon graduation.

Panelists included:

  • Development, Sustainability & Property Technology: , Independent Advisor & Strategist, Major: Cultural Anthropology
  • Hospitality Research & Advisory: , Head of Hotels Research & Data Analytics, , Major: Spanish
  • Investment: , Vice President of Acquisitions, , Major: Environmental Studies
  • Underwriting: , Underwriting Analyst, , Major: Economics
  • FACILITATOR: , Incoming Wealth Management Analyst, , Majors: Economics & Spanish

Careers in International Affairs in 2023/24

In this program, guest speaker offered insights into his own career pathway and聽 advice for students interested in pursuing careers in international affairs.

Patrick currently serves as Senior Director for Strategy, Research, and the Center for Global Impact at the International Republican Institute, a non-partisan and non-governmental organization that works to advance democracy and freedom worldwide. As Senior Director, Patrick manages a team of 30 thematic experts, researchers, and global project staff who help IRI monitor and develop innovative approaches to address emerging trends and challenges. This includes helping IRI incubate and scale up innovative, cross-cutting, democracy and governance programs to address global challenges to democracy, as well as maximize impact in priority technical areas such as political processes, electoral transitions, fragility and stabilization, countering authoritarian influence, and digital democracy. He also oversees IRI鈥檚 institutional efforts on monitoring, evaluation and learning, and applied research.

Concurrent to serving at IRI, Patrick is a Nonresident Fellow in the Foreign Policy program at the Brookings Institution. Before joining IRI, Patrick served on the U.S. Secretary of State鈥檚 Policy Planning staff in the Department of State as the lead advisor for fragile states, conflict and stabilization, and foreign assistance. From 2018-2019, he conceptualized and managed the process to advance the new U.S. approach to fragile states. Prior to Policy Planning, he served in State鈥檚 Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations as Senior Advisor for Policy and Strategy. Prior to government service, Patrick was a Research Fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, where he led a research study on how rising powers like China, Russia, and India use foreign aid to advance their national interests and the implications for U.S. national security.

Patrick is an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University, teaching courses on stabilization and political violence. His book, Great Powers, Weak States, and Insurgency: Explaining Internal Threat Alliances, was published in 2017.

Success as STEM Scholars in 2023/24

In this program designed for current STEM Scholars, graduates from the class of 2023 shared their experience in their first professional jobs, how the STEM Scholar program prepared them for the world of work, and what they are doing next in their careers related to science.

Panelists included:

  • 聽– Data Analyst, Ayers Saint Gross
  • – REACH Postbaccalaureate Researcher, Stanford University School of Medicine
  • 聽– Clinical Research Coordinator, Cardiology Division, Massachusetts General Hospital

Careers in Psychology and Beyond in 2023/24

In this collaboration between Purposeful Work and the Psychology Department,聽 graduates who studied psychology discussed a wide range of career paths in journalism, technology, non-profit and community development.

Panelists included:

  • , Reporter, The New York Times
  • , Program Manager, DEI Programs and Strategy, Boston Planning & Development Agency
  • , Outreach and Training Coordinator, Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project
  • (University of Chicago, ’06, Ph.D. ’12), UX Research Manager, Project Starline, Google

Social Services in Portland, Maine in 2023/24

To explore opportunities in social services in Portland, Maine, this virtual panel brought together representatives from Avesta Housing, 75 State Street, and Preble Street — three social services agencies focused on supporting diverse communities in Portland.

Panelists shared: how and where they decided to start their careers with nonprofits and social services, how their undergraduate experiences prepared them for post-graduate life and work, how their early jobs in social services led them to their current roles, and what keeps them committed to doing work that can be challenging and complicated. They also shared what characteristics, experiences, and qualities they think effective social service professionals have, and what kind of entry-level and summer opportunities exist for students and graduates exploring the field.

Panelists included:

  • , Resident Services Manager, Avesta
  • , Senior Director of Teen Services and Anti-Trafficking, Preble Street
  • , Director of Independent Living, 75 State Street
  • Moderator: , Resident Service Coordinator, Avesta

Pre-Law Reflection Series in 2023/24

Current Law School Students

For this session of the reflection series, three 乐播传媒 alumni currently in law school shared their experiences with the application process, and their insights on what to expect in your first and second year of law school as well as what you can do now to prepare for what is ahead.

Panelists included:

  • , Northeastern University School of Law
  • , Boston College Law School
  • , George Washington University Law School

Practicing Lawyers

For this session of the reflection series, this panel brought together alumni currently working as practicing lawyers from a variety of firms and practices.

Panelists included:

  • , Partner, Brann & Isaacson
  • , Principal, Groom Law Group
  • , Partner, Clifford & Golden
  • , Founder, Sinclair Law LLC

Careers in Public Health in 2023/24

This virtual panel brought together local public health professionals to discuss their career paths, academic backgrounds, and insights into their work within the field.

Panelists included:

  • , Executive Director, Maine Women’s Lobby
  • , Director of Outreach, Maine Mobile Health Program
  • Hibo Omer, Executive Director, New Mainers Public Health Initiative
  • , Western Public Health District Liaison, Maine Department of Health and Human Services

Alumni & Parents in Education: Public, Charter & Private in 2023/24

This virtual panel explored opportunities in public, charter, and private education as panelists discussed their pathways from college to their current roles, as well as the unique benefits and challenges of three different educational contexts.

Each panelist addressed: how their undergraduate experiences prepared them for post-graduate life and work, how their unique schools and school systems operate, what keeps them motivated and committed in their daily work, and what kind of entry-level and summer opportunities exist for students and graduates exploring the field.

Panelists included:

  • , Assistant Head of School, Hebron Academy
  • , Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education, Newton Public Schools
  • , Recruitment and Retention Manager, KIPP Massachusetts

A Dialogue on Leadership in 2023/24

Guest speaker , a retired aircraft carrier captain for the U.S. Navy, joined the 乐播传媒 community to discuss his unconventional approach to authentic leadership. His 鈥渟how them you care鈥� leadership style focused on connection, humility, and empathy improved the morale, culture, and performance of each Navy organization he led.

With a military career spanning three decades and culminating in serving as the captain of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS GERALD R. FORD, he led thousands of young sailors in the unforgiving world of fighter and aircraft carrier aviation. J.J. was the first technical advisor for Top Gun Maverick and helped Paramount create the original screenplay. He was also the Executive Officer of the aircraft carrier USS NIMITZ, Commanding Officer of the amphibious assault ship USS Anchorage, and Commanding Officer of an FA-18F Super Hornet squadron. Prior to assuming command positions, J.J. was an F-14 Tomcat instructor pilot and a Top Gun graduate, and he successfully completed the prestigious Navy Nuclear Propulsion Program. He completed multiple overseas aircraft carrier deployments, logged 3,900 hours in fighter aircrafts, completed 740 aircraft carrier landings, and completed 137 combat missions over Iraq and Afghanistan.

J.J. received his B.A. in Physics from 乐播传媒 College, an M.S. in Education from Old Dominion University, and an M.A. in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College. While at 乐播传媒, J.J. played football, rowed, and was a student athletic trainer. He currently works for a major defense aerospace corporation, serves on the 乐播传媒 College Alumni Council, and started his own leadership consulting business.

Understanding the World through Spectator Sports in 2023/24

聽is a history professor and an award-winning writer and sports journalist who served as senior research supervisor for NBC Olympic Sports across eight Olympic Games, winning the Emmy at the London Olympics in 2012. A leading scholar of sports, culture, and politics, she is currently Chair of the Division of Social Science and Communication and Professor of Sport Studies at Manhattanville College.

In this program, Professor Bass and Marianne Cowan from the Center for Purposeful Work discussed:

  • Empowerment and equity in sports – and why it matters – from the 1968 Olympics to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
  • Looking at the world through the lens of spectator sports
  • Balancing and choosing CNN, NBC, mainstream media, and teaching history in the college classroom

Careers in Government, Policy & Public Service in 2023/24

As part of Government, Policy, and Public Service Week, Purposeful Work hosted a panel of alumni who spoke about their career trajectories, how 乐播传媒 helped them achieve their goals, and the purpose they find in their respective roles.

Guests included:

  • , Senior Manager of Government & Public Affairs, Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association
  • , Deputy Director, Global Health Bureau鈥檚 Office of Infectious Diseases
  • , Economic Policy Analyst, Bipartisan Policy Center
  • , Director of Government Affairs, Maine Department of Corrections
  • , Director of Scheduling, U.S. Senate – Senator Joe Manchin’s Office

Careers in Human Resources in 2022/2023

This panel engaged guests in a discussion about their pathways from college to their current roles in different areas of human resources — talent acquisition, learning and development, executive search, and organizational change. They also shared how their undergraduate experiences prepared them for life beyond college as well as their current roles and responsibilities.

聽Guests included:

  • , Senior Vice President, Global Human Resources, The Academy, Bank of America, Enterprise Strategic Initiatives Education & Change Management Executive聽
  • , Associate, Financial Services & Technology Officers Practices, Heidrick & Struggles

Careers in Tech in 2022/2023

Product Management

Associate Product Manager , discussed his exploration and entry into technology, his journey to Atlassian, finding purpose in product management, and all the lessons he learned along the way. He provided insight into what exactly product management entails, the relevant skills to pursue this kind of work, and how you can get started while still at 乐播传媒.

Software Engineering

乐播传媒 alumni shared their experiences and advice for students interested in exploring engineering and software development. A variety of 乐播传媒 experiences set them on the path to where they are today, so they connected those dots for us and discussed how they continue to craft work that aligns with their interests and sense of purpose.

Guests included:

  • , Partnership Engineer, Pinterest
  • , Lead Software Engineer, Logickull
  • , Software Developer, Comcast

User Experience (UX)

乐播传媒 alumni who are also UX professionals shared what drew them to UX work, how they established themselves in the field, and where they think the field is going. They shared guidance and resources for how a student ca determine whether UX is a field where one can find meaning and purpose.

Guests included:

  • , Design and Research Operations Manager, CDK Global
  • , freelance product designer
  • , Director of UX Design, Fidelity Center for Applied Technology

Careers in Higher Education in 2021/2022

Featured alumni in admissions and financial aid, advancement, athletics, and student success. Alumni discussed their pathways from 乐播传媒 to their various areas of higher education and shared how their 乐播传媒 degrees prepared them for navigating through different institutions and roles.

Panelists included:

  • , Associate Dean of Advancement, University of Washington, Michael G. Foster School of Business
  • , Associate Provost for Student Success, UMass Amherst
  • , Director, Harvard Financial Aid Initiative and Senior Admissions Officer, Harvard University
  • , Associate Athletic Director, Emerson College

Women in Entrepreneurship in 2021/2022

Featuring a panel of 乐播传媒 alumnae founders and innovators, trustee , co-founder of Upswing Strategies, facilitated a conversation about women in entrepreneurship and innovation.

Panelists included:

  • , Founder, Global Family Travels
  • , Founder, Lukafit
  • , Chief of Staff, LinkedIn Talent Solutions
  • , Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer, Zen Data Privacy;聽 President and Chief Product Officer for a stealth start-up

Opportunities in Social Justice in 2021/2022

Highlighted alumni with diverse backgrounds and experiences that fall under the umbrella of social justice. From economic justice to racial justice, from community work to policy work, alumni shared their unique pathways through the academy to domestic and global stages.

Opportunities in Journalism in 2020/2021

Highlighted alumni with backgrounds and experiences in various areas of journalism. Alumni shared their pathways to their current roles at: the Miami Herald Media, the New York Times, and the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University.

Opportunities in Policy in 2020/2021

Highlighted alumni engaged in policy research, communications, consulting, and strategy, with representation from: Brookings Institution, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), DCI Group, and Internet Association.

Opportunities in STEM + Business in 2020/2021

Focused on alumni operating in roles and organizations at the intersection of STEM and business. From healthcare to pharmaceuticals, from marketing to operations, alumni shared their academic and professional pathways from 乐播传媒 to: Boston Scientific, CVS, LevelEx, and Pfizer.

Opportunities in the Environment in 2019/2020

This alumni panel and networking event exposed students to alumni with a broad range of experiences in environmental careers, including: climate impact research, corporate sustainability, environmental law, municipal planning, and urban planning.

Panelists included:

  • ’16, Ceres
  • ’04, Street Plans
  • 鈥�14, City of South Portland
  • ’16, Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies
  • ’10, UMass Amherst
  • 鈥�85, P鈥�23, Mintz Levin

.

Opportunities in Mental Health in 2019/2020

Invited students to connect with alumni and friends operating in the mental health space. Students had the opportunity to hear about the similarities and differences in the work being done by those with a PhD, a PsyD, an MD, a DNP, and a MA/MS in counseling.

Opportunities in Entrepreneurship in 2019/2020

Provided students with the opportunity to hear 乐播传媒 alumni discuss their experiences with entrepreneurship, ranging from building their own businesses, to supporting their communities, to innovating within large organizations. Led by 乐播传媒 Trustee and longtime entrepreneur , the program also served as a kick-off for Bobcat Ventures, 乐播传媒鈥檚 entrepreneurial program and pitch competition.

Opportunities in Consulting in 2019/2020

Offered students the chance to hear from alumni engaged in different kinds of consulting work, with representation from: Analysis Group (AG), Artisan Healthcare Consulting, Beacon Group, Business Intelligence Advisors (BIA), and Ernst & Young (EY).