"Try Different Things"

As recruiting season kicks into high gear on campus and students begin the often stressful job search process, the ILR Alumni Association is reaching out to undergraduates.

More than 150 students attended career roundtables hosted Friday by 20 alumni.

Diverse career interests among ILR students and alumni were reflected in presentations entitled "A View from Human Resources and Consultants," "Endless Possibilities: Careers in Finance, Consulting, Entrepreneurship, and Many More," "The Labor, Non-Profit, and Social Justice Perspective" and "The Role of Lawyers."

When asked how to know which field of law is right for a given person, Susan Panepento '85 advised students in "The Role of Lawyers" group to experiment and diversify their experiences.

"You're not going to figure out what you like doing sitting in Ives," Panepento joked.

"You have to get out there and try different things."

Other alumni offered their help to students looking for jobs after graduation.

"If anybody is thinking of working or studying in Los Angeles, let me know. I will help you find an opportunity. I will help you make contacts," said Jeff Winikow '86, who currently serves as a judge on the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

After the breakout sessions, students and alumni gathered in the ILR Lower Courtyard for a barbeque and continued conversation.

Mike Bohling '14 said that the roundtable helped him make contacts and provided him with constructive advice on his job search.

"I will definitely use the advice I got and follow up with the alumni," Bohling said. "It's really useful for someone like me who's looking for a job, to hear what people in these high-up positions in my field are looking for in a candidate."

Alumni Association Vice President Joe Cartafalsa '89 said the event provides an opportunity for alumni to give back to the school.

"All the board members love coming back here," he said.

"They come in from California, Ohio, Texas. People are willing to take a day off because they're looking forward to meeting the students. The support network we have here is really unique to ILR -- it just doesn't exist at other schools."

In 2012, 28 percent of ILR graduates went into human resources or labor relations, 19 percent went into consulting and 16 percent went into financial services. Seven percent went to work for labor unions, governmental organizations or nonprofit groups, according to ILR Career Services.

Keynote speaker Kathleen Weslock MILR '83 began Friday's event by telling students about her own career trajectory since graduating from the MILR program.

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