Career Fair 2023: A Chance for Mercy Alumni to Hire Mercy Students
Mercy’s 2023 Career Fair was a celebratory event even before it began: it was the first time since 2019 that the College has been able to bring together students and potential employers to showcase opportunities for jobs and internships. Some 60 employers filled the Rotunda on the Dobbs Ferry Campus, representing a wide swath of industries including health care, law enforcement, arts education, veterinary medicine and multiple non-profit agencies. The Mercy students were ready, and it showed.
“We have met several of your nursing students today and are excited to tell you we’re bringing them in next week for interviews,” said Ann Tinsley, talent acquisition manager for St. Johns Hospital. “With Mercy students, they come prepared, they have their resumes, they ask questions and they interview well.”
Sara Shepherd ’08, M.S. ’15, Mercy’s Director of Employee Relations, says the Career Fair is “a way for students to get into networking, push themselves out of their comfort zone, meet people, talk about their career interests – things they might not normally be doing. It is very important for them to get out and build these connections.”
Vanessa Valentin ’23 who earned her degree in behavioral science, found several companies she was interested in, and found the experience of interviewing enlightening. “I think it’s great to be able to interact with potential employers not only to see what they’re about, but they ask questions. And we get to ask them questions. It helps to be professional, and it helps with your elevator pitch.”
The Career Fair was especially gratifying for former Mercy College students, who returned as employers to make opportunities available to students. Daniel Montez ’21, M.B.A. ’22 was hiring for the KIPP public charter schools. “I went to KIPP as a student. Then I went to Mercy. Now I work back at KIPP and I’m hiring Mercy students!” Asked how it felt to be on the other side of the table, Montez said, “My friends on the opposite side are just like me. And I can’t wait to have them on my team because we all went to a great institution.”
Another alum, Candacee Williams ’12, is working for the Bronx District Attorney’s Office and said she was “so excited to be back at my old stomping ground.” She said the DA’s office had both internships and entry level positions available.
Pat Brendon, of the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, was impressed by students’ enthusiasm. “One thing that impressed the daylights out of me was that even before this started, there was a line of about 20 students here dressed to a tee. I don’t see that every single time college students come to us. Mercy students are ready to go.”
To watch highlights from the Career Fair, click here.