PITTSBURGH— Students are invited to expand their professional network and connect with employers during the second annual Pittsburgh Connect: Penn State Student Networking Summit at the Energy Innovation Center, Duquesne Light Brightspace, 1435 Bedford Avenue, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 25. The event is free and open to all Penn State students regardless of campus, year or major and is made possible through a collaboration of the Franco Harris Pittsburgh Center at Penn State, Readiness Institute at Penn State, and Penn State Career Services.
Noah Rock is a finance major in the Smeal College of Business. He said Pittsburgh Connect assisted him in developing the professional skills he needed to introduce himself to recruiters.
“This event provided me an avenue to learn about many different career paths and how they may align with my interests, especially within areas of finance,” Rock said. “The recruiters were kind and were willing to discuss opportunities, as well as their personal insights into internships and jobs I could potentially pursue.”
The day will feature workshops, a career-fair-style networking session, and an industry panel discussion titled “Unlocking Pittsburgh’s Workforce: What Employers Want and How You Can Stand Out.” It will be facilitated by the Executive Director for PUMP Josiah Gilliam and will feature Ellyse Williams, talent catalyst for E.M. Williams LLC.; Eric McAllister, manager for inclusive economic growth for Allegheny Conference and Marie Pelloni, director of talent attraction and STEM development for Pittsburgh Technology Council.
Businesses and organizations that will be available to talk to students about employment opportunities include:
- Allegheny Intermediate Unit
- Brunner Marketing Agency
- Burson Global Communications Agency
- Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh
- City of Pittsburgh
- Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
- DICK’S Sporting Goods
- First National Bank
- Lifetime Financial Growth
- Michael Baker International
- Northwestern Mutual
- Pittsburgh Penguins
- Schneider Downs
- Seubert & Associates, Inc.
- Sheetz, Inc.
- State Farm
- The Motherhood
- UPMC
“This event is an excellent opportunity for Penn State students to not only learn the ins and outs of the workforce but also to connect with key employers in Pittsburgh’s growing industries,” said Justin Aglio, associate vice president for Penn State Outreach and executive director of the Readiness Institute at Penn State. “Our goal is to support students in developing the skills necessary to thrive in a complex, ever-changing world.”
Aglio went on to say how the summit plays a part in the Penn State Outreach mission.
“The goal of the summit is to foster collective impact and expand partnerships within and beyond Penn State,” Aglio said. “By connecting students with industry leaders, alumni and employers, Pittsburgh Connect strengthens the ties between Penn State and the Pittsburgh region, creating pathways for students to enter high-demand careers and make a meaningful impact on their chosen fields.”
Click here to learn more about the day’s itinerary, and to register for Pittsburgh Connect: Penn State Student Networking Summit.
The Readiness Institute and Franco Harris Pittsburgh Center at Penn State are services of Penn State Outreach.