Students Meet Professionals at 33rd Annual Career Day

Pacific Union College hosted its 33rd annual career day on Thursday, February 20. The event brought nearly 50 professionals from diverse fields to campus, offering students the chance to learn first-hand about the careers that interest them. Also visiting campus for the day was Brittany Collins Cheney, who discussed her journey from PUC to a law career as part of the college’s Colloquy Speaker Series.

Whether freshmen still deciding on a major or seniors starting the job hunt in earnest, students who stopped by the side rooms of the Dining Commons spoke with professionals actively employed in diverse careers. By meeting with representatives, the Career and Counseling Center hopes that students can have confidence in knowing where a major can take a person in their career path.

“We want students to gain exposure and discuss potential job networks to help them with life after college,” said career counselor Laura Gore, who coordinates the fair as part of her work in the Career and Counseling Center.

Representatives were available to answer questions from students, exchange business cards, and also provide internship, volunteer, or employment opportunities. “We hope that students use this as a networking tool to start developing contacts and learn the options that are available to them after college,” said Gore. Many of the career consultants who volunteered their time were themselves graduates of Pacific Union College.

Prior to the two-hour Career Day event, Brittany Collins Cheney spoke for the Colloquy Speaker Series. Cheney dialogued with Michelle Rai, professor of communication, and explained her path from PUC to Downey Brand LLP, the largest law firm in Sacramento. After graduating summa cum laude from PUC in 2007 with her bachelor of arts in international communication, Cheney completed her law school education at the top of her class, graduating in 2012 from King Hall School of Law at the University of California, Davis.

A product of Seventh-day Adventist education from preschool through college, Cheney reminded students that as graduates of PUC, they are well prepared for graduate school or the work world. “I think PUC grads are competitive in the job market, at least that was my experience,” Cheney shared. “You’re getting a fabulous education and there’s no reason you can’t compete with grads from big name schools.”

 Career Day is part of a series of job-oriented events organized by Gore each year. An Internship and job fair and graduate school fair, as well as regular resume workshops, provide additional opportunities for students as they connect their calling to a career.