Rodriguez focused on the challenges of a work-life balance when working remotely and how young professionals can maintain their health and well-being in a world where employers have constant online access to employees. Her advice was to resist the urge to respond to off hour messages, make self-care a priority, and make time for family and friends.

“I feel we get caught up in the fact that we are so readily available to everyone all the time,” explained Rodriguez.  “If you want to perform well you need to remember it’s ok to say no.”

Despite the challenges of staying at home during a global pandemic, Rodriguez says she has never been happier.

“I had time to settle in before COVID hit but it’s tough staying home in a city apartment with no yard.” Said Rodriguez “It’s Interesting and I’m taking it as it comes.”

Through such a whirlwind two years, Rodriguez encourages students and alumni alike to follow their dreams despite how intimidating some of the changes may be.

Alumni played a major role in both events as they returned to share stories and advice on working in their field, how they obtained their current positions, and how the skills they learned within their major have translated into other professions.

“It’s like Thanksgiving or Christmas for a traditional family” said Dr. Scott Inch, Professor in the Department of Mathematical and Digital Sciences who said that the event is his yearly favorite, as it brings former students “home” to BU and provides invaluable industry insight to current students.

“I appreciate how willing our graduates are to go out of their way to be helpful to the program and to our current students” said Inch “They all generously donate their time and are so happy to help.”

The alumni panels for both events were enhanced by presentations on various career topics such as the importance of study abroad experiences for cultural understanding and language, confidence in interviewing, preparing for the world of work through job shadowing and searches, internships and other career experiences, as well as how to apply one’s major in an unrelated career field, such as using a music degree to advance toward an MBA.

“This is a great way to help prepare for the job market, internships or graduate schools” said Angela Ciucci, Administrative Assistant to the Dean of the College of Science and Technology, and organizer of the Pathways event “It’s a great opportunity to interact with alumni, businesses, and professionals who work in the field of science and technology.”

The Pathways program involved a networking luncheon among returning alumni, current student and faculty/staff, as well as a Dean’s Reception later in the evening.  A Communication Studies networking reception was also held in another part of campus where alums, students and faculty shared some food and drink, a few BU stories, and some business cards.

“The networking luncheon is a great opportunity for these upperclassmen to directly network with alumni working in prospective career fields” explained Dr. Ellen Kehres, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry “It is a great way to help prepare for the job market, internships or graduate school.”

Kehres added that while Pathways may have been seen as something for upperclassmen closing in on graduation, it was also an opportunity for students, especially freshman and sophomores, to gain insight on making the most of their college experience and thinking about career fields they may not have thought about before.

Likewise, Bielen pointed out that the COLA Symposium was not designed solely for career advice and networking, but also to help students understand how to use the skills gained from a Bachelors of Arts degree in real life situations. For example, students had the opportunity to attend presentations about resiliency and relationship communication, proper money management, saving and investing for retirement, how technology is changing the way we live, the nuances of ethics in media, and how to control one’s body language. There was also a gallery talk in Haas by exhibiting artist, Catharine Haggarty and a student discussion of digital and public history in the humanities.

In addition, the symposium’s keynote was given by Dr, Elijah Anderson, Lanman Professor of Sociology at Yale University, and addressed the ways in which people of different races and classes interact with each other in various environments, and the role that race plays in those interactions. The evening lecture, The Cosmopolitan Canopy: Race and Civility in Everyday Life, was well attended by students and the general public.

“It [Liberal Arts education] really is like a ‘Swiss army knife’ of skills learned” said Bielen, referring to the symposium logo. “We hope that students gain understanding of how valuable their liberal arts education will prove to be as they move through their lives.”

With less than a year left at BU, his focus had shifted to gaining employment and decided to attend the Career Intensive Boot Camp, a 2.5 day professional development experience, part of the Professional U collaborative, that is designed to prepare students for the transition from student to professional.

“I had concentrated so much on learning the IT stuff and ignored preparing for the business world” explained Dutkiewicz “Boot camp focused on the transition and the importance of networking.  I hadn’t even started to think about networking yet when I attended.”  

While at the event, Dutkiewicz learned how to use keyword searches for job openings, how to apply to positions, the finer points of business etiquette when meeting with a prospective employer or client, and suggestions for tweaking his resume from alumni volunteers.  

“At first I was so nervous.” recalled Dutkiewicz “I didn’t realize the business culture; I didn’t understand that aspect or realize all of the little things associated with it.”

While Dutkiewicz benefitted from the entire event, it was mock interviews that he found to be the most helpful, citing the fact that he felt much better prepared to answer questions about himself after going through a few trial runs.

“Mock interviews were the biggest challenge until I did it” recalled Dutkiewicz “I was so scared, but afterwards, I was thinking how awesome it was.  I felt that the first one was intimidating, but I was able to do really well in my last one.”

Dutkiewicz not only credits the mock interview process and involvement of BU alumni in obtaining his first professional position, but the emphasis on networking and submitting applications as well. After attending the Career Intensive Boot Camp, Dutkiewicz realized that he had a competitive advantage compared to his peers.

“Alumni at the event helped a lot” explained Dutkiewicz “I looked at my friends who are just starting to apply now and I’m thinking ‘Oh my, you don’t even know the processes! This stuff takes time; if I had just started applying now, I wouldn’t be working until end of summer.”

Dutkiewicz started his position as a Technical Business Analyst a mere three weeks ago -just 48 hours after he received his degree.  As he explains it, he will use the information in the company databases to make their products better and their process more efficient.

“I’m nervous, but I’m also really excited” he said. “I finally get to see how I can apply everything I’ve learned.”

“I’m happy.”

As for the future, Dutkiewicz plans to return to school for his MBA and earn a rank in upper level management. He also plans to help fellow Huskies as an alumni volunteer at a future Career Intensive Boot Camp.

“If I didn’t go to Boot Camp, I probably wouldn’t have a job” explained Dutkiewicz “I wouldn’t have known what to say, the interviews would not have gone as well, and I wouldn’t have started applying as early as I had.”

The guests of honor spoke passionately about the life changing impact of their experience at Bloomsburg University, as well as the joy of giving back to the university and its students. Legacy families were recognized as current students stood with their alumni parents and grandparents, and an additional 79 alumni were honored as Grimes Loyalty recipients for their involvement with the university in 2017.

“You never know what impact you can have on someone” said Distinguished Service Award recipient, Elizabeth Swivel “I am where I am because of Dr.  Bryan.”

“Giving back can be very, very rewarding” added William T. Derricott '66 Volunteer of the Year Award, Duane Greenly “Whether it be your time, your talent or your wealth, there is a high correlation between giving and having something given back to you.”

Alumni involvement is a vital part of Bloomsburg University students’ success and the university is proud to honor our distinguished alumni! Thank you!