The Penn Club
Erica Wiles '09

After taking the 6am train into Penn Station I arrived in New York City with one hour to navigate myself to the Penn Club located at 30 W. 44 Street. With only one wrong turn I arrived with plenty of time to relax before the panelists began their speeches. Complimentary beverages were offered for our enjoyment and consumption throughout the day. Four alumni discussed their real world experiences regarding their current experiences and journies on how they got there. Each represented a different business sector; Marketing, Finance, Human Resources and Accounting. Enlightening information was offered along with suggestions and ideal opportunites to get off on the right foot upon graduation. The panelists all agreed that luck and chance have been a major part of finding the perfect job. That combined with skill is one of the most important aspects during the career search process. After brief introductions and a Q&A session, the panelists dispersed throughout the students and we were able to choose the area we were most interested in to learn a little more about. I sat at a table with Scott Litchfield who works in the Human Resource field. Lunch was served in buffet style and we were able to enjoy it with several other alumni who stopped in to share their current work adventures in a more relaxed setting. After lunch we met with three more alumni working in finance who discussed the influence of the financial crisis within the business world and their future employers. After learning about the economic crisis we split into groups and discussed our case studies. We breifly outlined our presentation on mergers and acquisitions then departed our separate ways. I walked toward Times Square and explored the surrounding area before returning to my hotel for the night.

David Alldian '77, P '12, Executive VP of Finance of Blue Tee Corporation, speaking with Katisha Hargett '11 

First Day at Bright Lights Big Cities
Norrell Griffiths '09

At 8am I boarded the R train in Queens bound for 42st Street in Manhattan. After quickly orientating myself as to which way was uptown and westwardly, I made it to the Penn Club on 44th. The theme of the day seemed to be creativity and taking chances. The first panel of alumni speakers was seasoned professionals in their respective fields. Individually they shared with us their journey from Gettysburg College to where they are a now. They also emphasized with the cluelessness we would feel when we approached our job search. Additionally, they stressed that we should not let our uncertainties limit us, and transversely, should not we let our certainties about what we think we know limit our job search. When we look for the first step in our careers, we should not limit ourselves to one industry or one type of job title. A first job does not need to be considered a life career. We should instead look at a first job as a way to better understand an industry and to learn of more opportunities that we do not even know exist right now. I could not help but be reminded of my summer employment with Gettysburg College. I worked in the Office of Student Activities where I answered questions from incoming first-year students who were concerned about classes and majors. I advised them to take courses that seemed interesting, even if it did not sound like a part of their potential major. Students are encouraged to do this because maybe that course will inspire a new interest, or further reconfirm their chosen path. Today's panel discussions reinforced that idea to me. Any first job will open networking doors, potential new career interests, or be an inspiration to go back to school to specialize our liberal arts educations. Tomorrow will be a busy day. First Wall Street to visit the Finance Museum and then our respective site visits. I am looking forward to seeing more of New York City and visiting Gettysburg's esteemed alumni.

Scott Litchfield '87, Vice President of WJM Associate Inc., speaking with a group of students at the Penn Club in New York City. 

Bright Lights First Day
Colleen Murphy '10

Today was the first day of our three day program with the Center for Career Development. We had to be at The Penn Club on W. 44th Street in Manhattan by 8:40am. Since I live on Long Island, I had a relatively easy commute that many people in my area take every day. I took a train on the Long Island Rail Road into Penn Station and walked the few blocks to the Penn Club. Since I was abroad this past semester, upon my arrival I was met by Manny Ruiz and Julie Neil. They warmly greeted all the students. Once everyone had arrived, including our Alumni guests, we started an Opening Panel. We were lucky to have four distinguished Gettysburg alumni in varying fields to talk to us. After brief introductions to their respective jobs and career paths, the alumni shared insight into how they each individually achieved success and discussed several helpful steps and skills. All four stressed the importance of persistance, honesty and a bit of luck in reaching our goals. They also recognized the tool of connections in the work force and recommended never 'burning any bridges'. We were later able to break down into smaller groups each talking to one of the alum. I personally sat with Thomas Alterman '98 who is works in Futures & Options for J.P Morgan Chase & Company. He was an extremely helpful person who was straightforward at let us know exactly what he looks for in a perspective employee. He was also generous enough to offer us any aid such as reviewing our resumes or finding other contacts for us.

After a lunch break where we ate with recent alums (I sat with Brendan Langenus '05, a Financial Analyst) we had a second panel discussing how the current financial crisis is impacting the job search. Three more distinguished alumni were introduced and talked to us about the harsh reality facing all graduates in the upcoming years. The job markets will be tough but there are ways to perserver. We were again able to sit down in smaller groups with one alum to further discuss and ask questions. I sat with Scott Estill '96 who is an investment banker with Coady Diemar Group. He further explained how he ended up in banking before wanting to hear all about Gettysburg these days. Our final part of the day we divided into our presentation groups and began working together for those. My group hit several major talking points and assigned one to each member to futher elaborate on. Manny and Julie wrapped up the day and prepped us for tomorrow before we were dismissed. I took another train back to Long Island and was home in time for dinner.

Thomas Alterson '98, VP of Futures & Options at JP Morgan, speaking with (l-r) Cameron Belger '10, Charmonique Parker '11, Douglas Graham '09 and Robert O'Connell '11 

Day One
Douglas Graham '09

The first day began at 8:45AM at the Penn Club on 44th Street. Of course that was after a short cab ride, surprisingly cold shower and the unwelcome buzzing of my alarm clock. First, four Alumni gave personal advice on how to approach graduation and prepare to enter the job market. Key points echoed by each were the importance of continuing to learn no matter where you are, while also being honest with everyone you encounter. Even though Finance is an incredibly large industry, word of mouth spreads quickly and developing strong character is a good asset. After a panel-type discussion, each Alumnus chose a separate table and we were given the chance to sit with the Alum who we had questions for. I had the opportunity to listen and talk with Tom Alterson ('98), and it was great to learn about the path he took to get where he is today.

Around noon we took a break to thank the first panel and eat lunch. While eating, a couple recent Alumni arrived and sat down to eat lunch with us and offer their view on what we will face in light of rising unemployment and shrinking financial industry. Clearly, the message was our path will be difficult and the competition will be great. After lunch, three more Alums offered their views on the impact of the Financial Crisis. Each noted the shrinking financial job market, alluding to the tough road ahead for those wishing to pursue a future in that industry. However, they also offered great tips which paralleled with the panel from earlier in the day. The key suggestion was to utilize Gettysburg Alumni and to be persistent in the job search. Another major point was the fact we most likely won't have the chance to take our dream job out of college, but we can work our way there. Without question, the approach the Alumni brought to the discussions reflected the amount of work they have done to work up the ladder. Along with their advice, several Alums asked for each of us to contact them if we are trying to get our foot in the door.

The first day ended around 4, and after saying goodbye to a couple friends in the program, I headed back to my hotel on 31st Street. Once I had a moment to relax back at my room I headed out for a walk up to Times Square and on the way back I grabbed something to eat and brought it back to my room. Without much else planned for the evening I planned to stay in and catch up on some sleep.

Day One of BLBC
Amy Anderson '09

Day One of the Bright Lights, Big City! program opened with a day of valuable information and discussions. The day was spent on the third floor of the Penn Club on 44th Street. The opening panel was filled with four Alumni of Gettysburg all representing different areas of the business world. The main focus of the three days is on Finance, HR, Marketing and Accounting.

Each member on the panel discussed the path they took to get to where they are at now in their career. When listening to each of them, you began to hear commonalities between them. None of the panel started out in their "dream" job, none of them were even sure they knew what the dream job was. To them, they went down paths that they held interest in, which ran into rejections and obstacles, but this all made the difference. It made them stronger and better; it cleared the paths for the choices they would make. What they were conveying to us was the idea that yes you can still do whatever you dream, but that will not come without a lot of hard work, good communication skills, a great attitude, and the ability to place yourself in beneficial situations.

We were given the chance to talk to an individual in our area of immediate interest and learn more about the steps to getting into these fields. Once the first panel left, some recent Alumni came back to talk with us. Sarah Sherman '07 sat at the table with us and ate her lunch while discussing the transition from college to life outside. The changes to living in an apartment, commuting, networking, meeting new people, and all other things we will encounter in the coming years.

The day was capped off with a visit from three Alumni from the financial sector to discuss the events that have occurred on Wall Street. They told us about their companies, mergers & acquisitions, and other changing signs that they are all going through, and how this will reflect in our lives and the job market in general. The panels gave us a chance to learn the real steps to getting jobs, the obstacles we will face, the notions we need to change when it comes to landing the dream job with a big pay out straight out of college. Realistic but optimistic, all members of the panels discussed the great benefits of a Liberal Arts education from Gettysburg and the network of Alumni and Parents out there to assist our future ventures.

Day One in the Big Apple
Calista Quintalti '09

The first day was fantastic. My journey into the city went smoothly, as I am well used-to traveling into NYC. I took a 7:40AM train into Grand Central Terminal and arrived by about 8:15AM. I then made my way over to the Penn Club on 44th Street. The first Panel was led by Tom Alterson '98, Scott Litchfield '87, David Alldian '77, and Cathy Mayone '90. The panelists provided me with a lot of information: the reccurring themes were not to give up and that luck plays a huge role in the career world. They spoke of not being discouraged and the importance of honesty, attitude, and communication. They said to always remain optimistic, follow my instincts, and be pleasantly persistent and willing to put in the time. After they spoke to us as a general audience, we broke up into group and I spoke further with Cathy Mayone. Cathy, who works in advertising, proved to be a great resource and was extremely helpful in providing me and my colleagues with advice as well as pointers and suggestions of career objectives.

During the afternoon, we heard a panel of alumni who spoke about the financial crisis. These panelists were Matt Lagoy '93, Chris D'Alessandro '95, and Scott Estill '96. These panelists spoke about the current financial environment and had similar advice which was to be persistent! They also advised that when writing a resume, to be sure to sell myself and my skills and all things about myself and past experiences which will add value to the company to which I am applying. They also advised us not to become discouraged and to perhaps opt for a position from which to garner operational experience if it is not possible to work in a position of service experience, and then later use the operational experience to my benefit. They spoke about their careers and how they climbed to the top and that a lot of their experiences were shaped through luck, hard work and determination, and (as was stated by all of the alumni) valuable mentors. After these panelists had finished their presentation and individual discussion, we met into groups for the case study and my group and I began working on solving the assignment and delegating areas of research and presentation for each group member. I took copious notes during all of the presentations which I have stored in a folder and I look forward to tomorrow's activities, site visits, and other presentations.