Annual Leadership Dinner Celebrates Student-Alumni Connections

When College of Sciences External Advisory Board Chair Heidi Schindler (ABIO 1991) was a student at Georgia Tech, she struggled to find help with career opportunities in the sciences.

“Once I decided I didn’t want to go to med school or into academia, the Career Center didn’t have answers for me,” says Schindler. “I found my own way.”

As an alumna, she appreciates the emphasis now placed on student career education and makes student engagement and mentoring a priority.

“Attending events like the Student and Alumni Leadership Dinner is important to me because I don't want students to feel unsupported — like I once felt. Alumni know people. We know the business world, and we want to help students make the connections that shape their futures.”

A Networking Extravaganza

The Student and Alumni Leadership Dinner, organized by College of Sciences Career Educator Program Manager James Stringfellow and Director of Alumni Relations Leslie Roberts, is an annual event that encourages networking and promotes student and alumni engagement.

“It is our premier event,” says Stringfellow. “This year, we were fortunate to have more than 20 alumni in attendance, willing to give their time and expertise to help students prepare for securing a career.”

Attendees included students from all six schools in the College of Sciences. First-year Matthias Keys is a biology major.

“I’m here to gain knowledge and wisdom,” says Keys. “There’s so much to learn from alumni working in the real world.”

Maddie Tibaldi is a fourth-year neuroscience major. “I’ve heard so much about the strength of Georgia Tech’s alumni network. I’m enjoying talking to alums and learning what activities I can do to enhance my professional development.”

Double Jacket Ralph Cullen (PSY 2008, M.S. Human Factors Psychology 2008) attended the Leadership Dinner for the fourth time.

“I enjoy interacting with the students,” says Cullen, a research manager for the quant team at Etsy. “Since I frequently interview job candidates, I can pass on what I look for in a resume and what impresses me in interviews.”

A Big Event with Small Groups

The event kicked off with a special 30-minute session facilitated by Dean of the College of Sciences and Betsy Middleton and John Clark Sutherland Chair Susan Lozier who discussed current and future goals for the College and answered questions from students and alumni.

"I’m inspired by the enthusiasm and energy I’ve seen tonight," says Lozier. "In the College of Sciences, we believe in learning that extends beyond the classroom, and our alumni are a vital part of that experience. Their insights can help our students bridge the gap between academic theory and professional practice."

The evening’s activities included Networking Bingo and Speed Networking. The Networking Bingo icebreaker helped alleviate students’ nervousness by providing specific questions to ask alumni. For the speed networking activity, students rotated between tables to talk with alumni about topics such as what they wished they had known in college, making good career decisions, negotiating workplace conflicts, and how to get hired in the real world.

Georgia Tech Career Center Executive Director David Gaston applauded the collective team effort it takes to launch students into professional careers.  

“From faculty and staff to alumni and industry partners, every member plays a crucial role in providing the support, guidance, and opportunities our students need to thrive in their chosen fields,” says Gaston. “ The College of Sciences Student Alumni Leadership Dinner is instrumental in bringing our partners together to allow students to meaningfully engage with professionals in careers they may want to pursue. ”

2024 Internship Company of the Year

During the festivities, Stringfellow announced the inaugural winner of the Internship Company of the Year, BrandSafway. The award honors a company that provides a high-quality learning environment for student interns.  

Lauren Hester, who graduated this past August with a psychology degree, interned with BrandSafway as a Workday case management intern and nominated them for the award.

“It was my first corporate experience and BrandSafway was such a welcoming environment,” says Hester. “There were no dumb questions. I was able to be a sponge and learn so much about how business works. Thank you to BrandSafway for opening that door so I could learn and grow, not just as a scientist, but as someone who is now business savvy.”

BrandSafway President and CEO Karl Fessenden accepted the award.

“We are based in Atlanta and appreciate the benefit of having a world-renowned Institute just 20 minutes from our doors,” says Fessenden. “What we value most about our internship program is that it brings in students who are not only technically skilled but also bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to our organization. We are a better company because of our internship program.”

When presenting the award, Hester related that she heard about the internship at a networking event hosted by the College of Sciences and the Career Center:

"Networking really does pay off!”