Providence, R.I.--Providence College alumni representing a dozen career fields came back to campus to give advice to students at the 2009 Alumni-Student Spring Career Night on Tuesday, March 24.

Sponsored by the Office of Career Services, the Office of Alumni Relations, and the Mal Brown Club, the Greater Providence Chapter of the College's National Alumni Association, the event gave more than 75 PC students the opportunity to speak with 60 alumni about careers that interest them or previously unforeseen career possibilities.

Students also got the chance to receive feedback on internships and develop contacts and referrals for possible employment follow-ups from the alumni, who are in careers ranging from law and education to accounting and medicine.

Kate Kennedy '92, a client relationship manager for Mercer, a global leader for HR and related financial advice, products, and services, delivered the event's keynote address. She is the daughter of Dr. John F. Hennedy, PC professor emeritus of English, and Marie C. Hennedy, PC special lecturer in English.

In her speech, Kennedy touched on her PC experience, how she got her first job, and her career path to date.

"I've been the beneficiary of some great advice. Maybe this is the point when I can start sharing (with PC students)," she told those in attendance.

Kennedy told the students to know their strengths and weaknesses, to actively listen during interviews, to keep an open mind to shifting career paths, not to get frustrated if the job search is taking longer than expected, and to take advantage of the vast PC alumni base.

Graduates thanked for building network
Prior to introducing Kennedy, Robert Ferreira '83, assistant vice president for alumni relations, thanked all of the alumni for "giving back to PC's future."

Ferreira noted how the College has more than 47,000 alumni and 32 alumni clubs and chapters across the country. These groups held 104 alumni networking events last year alone, he said.

"I've been doing this for 17 years and I can't tell you how many stories I have heard about PC people helping PC people," he said. "Tonight is a great example of how alumni of Providence College give back to PC."

Alumni happy to give back
Michael T. Byrnes '67, president of the government relations firm Middle Kingdom Advisors, said that participating in the career night was his chance "to pay it back." He added that since his graduation from PC, he has come to "treasure the value of what I received here."

Byrnes, a retired U.S. Army Brigadier General and Army Attaché to China and Outer Mongolia, said mostly business and marketing majors approached him during the event to ask "what direction they should go in."

"My advice is to focus on something that distinguishes you from other candidates," he said, noting that in an uncertain job market "bringing a special skill" would make them more attractive job candidates.

Steven Brown '87, D.M.D., an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, said students asked specific questions relating to his profession and wondered what they could learn from the career path he took.

"Just by talking to them about how doors were opened to me, I think that can help them make their decision," Brown said. "They can talk to someone who went through it, and I think that's helpful."

Students grateful for experience
Like many of the students who attended, Bradley Smith '10 of Dover, N.H., made it a point to stop at various career booths. The economics major said he was impressed by how open the alumni were.

"All students have to do is show up and listen. The alumni love to talk to you," he said, adding that he was interested in learning how the alumni "progressed in their lives" and what advice they would give to a job seeker in the current economy.

"I think it's a great time to get into the business field," he said. "Everyone is starting fresh and companies are looking for fresh minds."

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