From left, Alyssa Snizek, assistant director of alumni relations; Kevin Foley '93; Dan McMorrow '85; Martha Reynolds McVeigh '80; and Stacey Moulton, assistant director of career technology and counseling.

Sponsored by the Office of Career Services and the Office of Institutional Advancement, the event featured three speakers: Kevin Foley '93, vice president at J.P. Morgan; Dan McMorrow '85, president of Bayside Home Mortgage Corporation; and Martha Reynolds McVeigh '80, senior economic crime investigator in the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office.

McVeigh said today's economic situation makes it even more important to explore various potential career prospects.

"When we talk about the pitfalls of finding a job in this economy, there's nothing that's recession-proof," she said. "If you have an opportunity to go try something, grab that opportunity. See what grows out of it."

Foley agreed, saying that this is the time to take chances and examine different options.

"Right now, there are very few dead-end jobs for you," he said. "It's all about gaining some good experience. Chances are that this isn't going to be your job for the rest of your life. You just have to know that it may be a one- or two-year stop."

The panelists agreed that the uncertainty of the market right now makes any kind of long-range planning difficult.

"I won't deny that this is the most trying time I've seen in the mortgage industry," said McMorrow.

Foley added, "I'm on the front lines restructuring mortgages, and we're taking our lumps. It's an incredibly interesting and incredibly timely role, and I've been learning a lot."

While the panelists acknowledged the economy's uncertainty, Foley, an accounting major while at PC, said the College is instrumental in giving students "skills and a set of values that you need for the rest of your life."

He encouraged students to be enthusiastic and committed to their work, regardless of their profession.

"There are a lot of smart people in the world, but not all of them have passion for what they do," Foley said. "That passion can make the difference."

McMorrow, who majored in American studies at PC, added that the knowledge he gained at PC has remained valuable to him throughout his professional experience.

"The liberal arts education puts you in a position where you can talk to people on many different levels in a business environment, and learn how to think critically about a variety of issues," he said.

McVeigh described how she initially planned to be a music major before ultimately graduating with a degree in English.

All three speakers invited students to use them as a resource for their own questions.

"We all look back so fondly on our time here, and we want to talk about what we did and help young people climb up the ladder and do well," McMorrow said.

- Joe Miller '10