Break Through events connect you to alumni who have been exactly where you are and who want to help you as you move toward graduation and beyond. Take a Career Trek to visit alumni working in major cities, or let them come to you during the student-alumni networking conference held on campus each year.
Either way, you’ll get tips on everything from how to make the most of your college experience to making friends after graduation and landing your first job. Whether you are in your first or last year at Susquehanna — or somewhere in between — Break Through has something for you.
Take advantage of these FREE networking opportunities, open to all majors in all class years.
And who knows? It might lead to an internship or even a job!
Break Through 2021: February 8 -11, 2021
Digital Photography
9:05 a.m.
From geological and environmental sciences to adventure travel photographer and guide, learn how this alum turned his passion into a career and get insider tips for story telling through digital photography.
Colby Brokvist ’99, Expedition Leader, Natural Habitat Adventures & Southern Yosemite Mountain Guides
Accounting Careers
9:45 a.m.
Which provides a better working environment, corporate or public accounting firms? Alumni panelists will discuss the benefits of both and answer your questions to help you decide.
Afi Ahama ’17, Financial Control Analyst, JPMorgan & Chase, Jon Bartholomew ’03, Owner, J.M. Bartholomew, Ethan Ellenberger ’09, Manager, Financial Planning & Analysis, The Hershey Company, USA
Keynote: Connection in the Age of Disconnection: Networking During a Pandemic
11:30 a.m.
Networking can be intimidating, but it has never been more important - or easier. Mimi Diallo ’19 talks about how networking helped her land her dream job and shares tips with you to make the most of Break Through.
Aminata “Mimi” Diallo ’19, Social Media and Community Manager for Founder and Exective Chairman Daniel Lubetzky, KIND
Podcast to Print: Careers in Digital Content Creation
1:45 p.m.
There are many opportunities that await you after graduation in digital content creation. Hear from our alumni about how they marketed themselves to secure opportunities in this competitive job market.
Heather Casey, ’20, CCI, Joey Maltese ’15, Editor, Music Connection Magazine, Brett Marcy ’98, President, Apollo Communications, LLC, Ken Selinger ’68, President, CCI Communications, Inc.
Fail Forward: When Plan “A” Doesn’t Work Out
6:30 p.m.
Everyone fails. It’s what makes us human and allows us to learn from our mistakes. Listen as our alumni panelists talk about the times they’ve stumbled, and how their best laid plans led them down unintended paths that were even better for them in the end.
Viulka Arias Guzman ’15, English Teacher, Camelot Education, Tia Banks ’16, PR and Social Media Strategist, Marissa Jadrosich-Forget ’99, Teacher, Hemet Unified School District
Fulbright Scholarships
6:30 p.m.
All you need to know about Fulbright Scholarships.
Holly Belkot ’13, Manager of Strategic Initiatives, Globalgiving
Careers in Marketing
7:00 p.m.
This panel will introduce you to career opportunities in marketing and provide information that can aid you in your job search.
Pete Comber ’90, Regional Vice President, Central/Northeast, Houston Wire and Cable Company, Daniel Gates ’08, Manager of Global Product Development Team, FedEx Corp
Greek Life Networking
8:00 p.m.
Greek alumni will discuss their fraternity, sorority and service organization experience, provide tips for marketing your Greek experience, and discuss life after college and how to stay involved in your chapter.
Anytime: Careers for Majors – Alumni Interviews Available on Kaltura
Learn from our alumni about their career paths to see what opportunities are out there for you. Learn the skills and qualifications you should be using to stand out in this competitive market. And learn how to market yourself to the fields and careers you are most interested in exploring
Luxury Brand Careers
10:05 a.m.
From high fashion to luxury hotels, learn from panelists about their paths to careers in this increasingly competitive field. Also, obtain recommendations for how to market yourself as a strong candidate in a field that ranges from industries in sumptuous edibles to extravagant cars, clothing, and jewelry.
Sloane Barton ’17, Manager in Training, Four Seasons Hotel and Resorts, Brianna Harden ’19, DTC Allocator, Lucky Brand, Ashley Spoto ’17, OMA Planner, L’Oreal Paris
Careers in Earth Science
10:05 a.m.
Learn from our alumni about their career paths in Earth Science to see what opportunities are out there for you. Learn the skills and qualifications you should be using to stand out in this competitive market.
Ali Binder ’20, Environmental Scientist, Stell Environmental, Melissa Felter ’01, Geologist, CEI Consultants, Inc.
Lighting Design
10:05 a.m.
Learn about the field of lighting design from a leader in the industry.
Craig Housenick ’98, Director of Photography, Jimmy Kimmel Live
Mock Interviews and Resume Review
11:30 a.m. (Sign Up Required Via Handshake)
Practice and hone your interview skills with alumni who will provide feedback in a supportive, yet helpful way.
Megan McMullen Blue ’02, Major Gifts Officer, White Plains Hospital
SU FACT Networking for Female Athletes
11:45am - 12:45pm
Session 1: SU FACT NETWORKING FOR FEMALE ATHLETES
12:45 - 1:45pm
Session 2: SU FACT NETWORKING FOR FEMALE ATHLETES
The same information presented at both sessions. Discussions on Vocation, Body Image, Resilience, and Translating your Athletic Experience to the Workplace.
The Possibilities of a Music Degree
3:00 p.m.
In the classroom, on the stage, or behind the scenes, learn about the possibilities of a music degree.
Jake Stamatis ’13, Resident Artist, Opera Memphis, Tim Accurso ’13, Principal Pianist & Music Administrator, Opera Santa Barbara, Parker Adel ’15, Product Insights & Sales Analysis - Creator Marketplace, Spotify, Lauren Flynn ’14, Preferred Program Coordinator, John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, Annie Luebke ’14 Mills, Choral Music Teacher, Stone Hill Middle School
Maximize Your Summer
6:30 p.m.
Learn how to maximize your summer break with an internship, job shadowing, or volunteer experience that adds value to your résumé and gives you relevant experience in your field. Get tips on how to search for and identify opportunities, as well as apply.
Sandra Altman ’11, Admission Counselor, Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering, Paige Wagner ’17, Campus Recruitment Analyst, BlackRock Inc.
By the Numbers: Data and Analytics in the Workforce
7:00 p.m.
Numbers don’t lie. That’s why so many business and industries rely on data and analytics to make decisions, set goals, and evaluate their success. Hear from a panel of alumni about how research, data science, reporting, coding, search engine optimization, and more play important roles in their professional lives.
Jackie Heffner ’09 Feather, Marketing Data Analyst, Citadel Federal Credit Union, Matt George ’14, Manager, Business Analytics, The Hershey Company, USA, Ryan Mason ’13, Senior Research Analyst, Ruder Finn
Careers in Politics and Law
8:20 a.m.
Learn about the intriguing field of political science and law in public, private, and nonprofit settings.
Scott Heller ’82, Attorney, Rosenberg, Jacobs, Heller & Fleming, Jacqueline Kennan ’16, Associate Attorney, Adkins Law, PLLC at Adkins Law PLLC, Orville “JR” Reynolds ’00, Deputy Borough Cheif-Major Case Unit, New York City Law Department
Mock Interviews and Review
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. (Sign Up Required Via Handshake)
Practice and hone your interview skills with alumni who will provide feedback in a supportive, yet helpful way.
Caroline Corrigan ’19, Technical Recruiter, Mondo
Working Internationally
11:30 a.m.
Learn how these alumni have successfully navigated searching for international opportunities, how application process differs, and how you can be a competitive candidate for global roles, both with domestically based and international companies.
Rhonda Bowen ’81, Business English Trainer/Owner, Bells-Bowen’s English Language Service (Germany), Kyle Robertson ’11, Vice President, Operational Risk, JP Morgan Asset Management (United Kingdom)
Rocking Your Humanities Degree
6:30 p.m.
The humanities - including history, international studies, languages, philosophy, and religion - tell us where we have been and help us envision where we are going. Alumni panelists from diverse career fields will show that you can go anywhere by marketing the skills gained in the humanities, including critical thinking, writing, research, and cultural competency.
Bijan Nekoie ’12, Advisor, Department of Defense, Devon Balent ’17, Social Media Specialist, IKEA, Jackie Newell ’13, Project Manager II, Covetrus
Engaging Audiences with a Career in Public Relations and Advertising
7:00 p.m.
Gain a behind-the-scenes look at the communications industry from professionals working in the field. From marketable skills like copywriting and creativity to standing out in a crowded field, communications specialists offer their advice on how to succeed in a competitive job market.
Kelly Dencker ’90, Executive Vice President, Coyne PR, Adam Rothenberg ’07, Vice President, Research, Phoenix Marketing International, Samantha Virgil ’15, Account Supervisor, BCW Global
Let’s Keep Talking…With Alumni of Color: Facing Fears in Careers
8:00 p.m.
When you think about your future career, what scares you most? Are you okay with failure? Join the Alumni of Color Advisory Council as its members discuss how to face your fears along the journey to success.
Tia Banks ’16, PR and Social Media Strategist, Viulka Arias Guzman ’15, Teacher, English Teacher, Camelot Education (moderator), CJ (John C.) Williams ’17, Associate Director of Admission, Perkiomen School, Lisa Lim ’14, Program Coordinator, Penn State University
Getting It “Write”: Creative Writing, English, Publishing and Editing
9:45 a.m.
Hiring managers report that strong writing and critical thinking skills are a top priority in recruitment of candidates. Our alumni panel will review their academic backgrounds and how their degrees led to their careers. They’ll also offer tips on marketing your degree successfully.
Sarena Pollock ’20, Publications Support Assistant, Intermediate Unit, Alyssa Moore ’15, Assistant, Root Literary Agency, Christina Joell ’18, Associate Publicist, HarperCollins Publishers
Careers in Public Policy
10:25 a.m.
Public policy makers change the world. Learn how these alumni panelists are changing the world through their jobs.
Stephanie Demarco ’15, Legislative Assistant, U.S. House of Representatives, Haley Klosky ’16, Analyst, Professional Development Program, U.S. Government Accountability Office, Sage Weikel ’16, Manager, Emergency Management, Beth Israel Lahey Health
Mock Interviews and Review
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. (Sign Up Required Via Handshake)
Practice and hone your interview skills with alumni who will provide feedback in a supportive, yet helpful way.
Sam Berger ’15, Supervising Budget Analyst, Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget, City of New York, Paige Wagner ’17, Campus Recruitment Analyst, BlackRock
Women in STEM
11:45 a.m.
Meet alumnae who role-model positive work-life balance in their respective STEM careers and get advice about how you can successfully do the same.
Emily Leboffe ’17, Medical School Student, Penn State College of Medicine, JoAnn Pochekailo ’77 Suzich, Head of Research, Immunocore, Megan Janssen ’06 Schroeder, Pharmacologist, US FDA
That Was Your Major? How I Found a Different Path
6:30 p.m.
Hear alumni talk about their nontraditional career paths, how they use their liberal arts education in their daily jobs, and why they decided to pursue alternative career choices.
Andy Nagy ’08, Senior Volunteer Engagement Specialist, American Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Loren North ’00, Owner, Loren E. North, Bespoke Sustainable Styling, Katie Patschke ’14, Executive Office Coordinator, American Anthropological Association
Careers in Finance
8:00 p.m.
This panel will help you get a better idea of the practical jobs that align with a degree in finance. Also, our alumni will help you understand the qualifications you’ll need to land one of these competitive roles.
John D’Anna ’10, Head of Client Service, Hirtle, Callaghan & Co., Stacy Koppenhaver ’92, Financial Crimes Manager/Assistant Bank Secrecy Act Officer, Caelan Perez ’15, Associate, Securitized Products Group, MUFG