Alumni conversations panel creates stronger networks for current students

(Photo: Rebekah Hazleton)

by Rebekah Hazleton
edited by Bailey Matteson

Five FPU business-related alumni gave their advice and support to current students on Friday November 1 at the alumni conversations panel.

The panel included Jonathan Slavin ’92, Kristen Tracy Jones ’10, Justin Wingate ’01, Andrew Nawn ‘92, and Joshua Castro ’17. Each alumnus is involved in the financial advising and trading job market and offered to help network with current students to find jobs and gain experience.

Dr. Mack Bean, associate professor for the College of Business, and Katie Copeland, director of Alumni Relations, invited the alumni to campus. The goal of the panel was to strengthen relations with alumni and create opportunities for student internships and careers.

“I want be able to give students strong alumni connections, which we did not have when we were graduating,” said Slavin, who is currently the global head of equity trading at Morgan Stanley.

Each alumnus described their career paths and opened a discussion for students to ask questions. After the event, they stayed in the Cheshire community room and made connections with students.

Nawn gave the group of students 15 tips to ensure success in any career. He stressed the importance of writing handwritten letters to clients and said that the simple task can set anyone above a competitor.

Senior Erin Kelly, a sports and recreation major, talked with each of the alumni and left the event with business cards to continue conversations with them. They were eager to answer her questions and become a part of her network.

“I hope someday that I can come back and be on that same panel giving my advice and making connections with students that graduate after me,” said Kelly.

Transparency Statement: I attended the event on Friday at 2:00 p.m. and spoke with Dr. Mack Bean, Katie Copeland, and all of the alumni that were on the panel. I spoke with students that were at the event as well.