51Թ’s youngest leadership donors put the university’s “hello” tradition to good use during a networking luncheon with the Board of Trustees on March 26. The event was sponsored by the Presidents’ Club specifically for its student membership.
Dressed in their professional best, undergraduates from the classes of 2010 through 2013 shook hands and absorbed advice, not just on tactics to land that first job, but also on strategies to achieve long-term professional success.
The event was emceed by board chair Chris Clifford, who led off the Q&A portion of the program with a little fatherly encouragement. “Everyone here will get a job,” he assured the 150 undergraduates. “Over time, you will find your passion.”
But what if I don’t have any idea of what I want to do after graduation next month? What’s the value of a liberal arts degree in a business and science-oriented workforce? Students lobbed the questions and trustees passed on the wisdom that only comes from addressing the same concerns first-hand.
“If you’re not certain about what you want to do, use it as a virtue,” said 60 Minutes producer Jeff Fager ’77, who started his own career writing news copy for free at WEEI radio in Boston. “Get out there and work at anything; there’s something to be learned in everyday life so enter the world.”
Senior Class Gift committee member John Greenfield ’10 found the words comforting. “It’s reassuring because the job environment has changed so much even recently,” he said. “That perspective — it’s a great thing that alumni can offer students.”
The event also highlighted the Presidents’ Club-level support that students are offering their alma mater. With new family memberships, the leadership giving society is seeing more student members than ever before.
The networking luncheon is just one way that the group is making itself an invaluable resource to its student members this year. “We’ve been working on new ways to encourage students and their families to make leadership-level gifts, so it was rewarding to see how successful one of these events could be,” said Senior Class Gift Committee member Andrew Wickerham ’10.
Though several young PC members exited the Hall of Presidents carrying tips and business cards, the document they receive in May will be their most important ticket to achievement. “You’re leaving here with an excellent education,” said Clifford. “Your competence will be recognized.”
The Presidents’ Club will host its next student networking event with the Alumni Council and the Society of Families Steering Committee on April 10 in the Robert H.N. Ho Science Center atrium.