February 10, 2026 — The Center for Career Services hosted its Spring 2026 VIP Networking Event, giving Marist students the opportunity to connect with over 30 alumni professionals across a variety of industries. Alumni returned to campus to share career advice, answer questions, and offer insight into different career paths through one-on-one conversations and networking activities.

Many students attending said the event helped them better understand how networking works in real life and opened doors to future internship and job opportunities. With a global alumni network that now numbers well over 50,000, Marist invests heavily in a variety of programming that leverages that network to prepare students for post-graduate success. Here’s what attendees had to share about how the event shaped their outlook on their own career readiness:

“Events like this help students long term because they connect us with people beyond campus and give us real-world perspectives we don’t always get as sophomores,” said Megan Meyer '28, a communication major with a public relations concentration. “Hearing alumni share how they started, how they grew, and where they are now is really inspiring and helps me better imagine my own path.”
 

“Being here taught me that networking really starts with just starting — once you talk to someone, you’re already getting your foot in the door,” said Karyn Devine '28, a criminal justice and psychology major. “Talking with Jessica Wexler from the Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse opened my eyes to supportive career paths beyond hands-on law enforcement, and she even offered me an internship, which showed me how powerful events like this can be.”

“I really believe in Career Services events because one of these opportunities directly helped me land my internship with Paramount,” said Alexa Giambra '26, a communication major with concentrations in public relations and advertising. “A Marist Road to the Workplace trip introduced me to Paramount Communications, and experiences like this show how networking, referrals, and showing genuine interest can truly set students up for success.”

“One of the biggest things I learned at the VIP Networking event is the importance of asking questions and being open to where those conversations can lead,” said Azaliah McFarlane-DeCordova '26, an English major with concentrations in writing and theatre and a music minor. “Talking with professionals in person helps you better understand your options and gives you confidence navigating the career search beyond a screen.”
 

“Being at the VIP Networking event has helped me think more intentionally about how people collaborate and what it’s really like to work within different teams,” said Gavin Hard '26, a digital media major with a concentration in animation. “For students entering competitive fields, events like this encourage flexibility, curiosity, and the confidence to explore opportunities that may exist outside the obvious or traditional paths.”

 

 

 

 

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