Skip to main content
St. Vincent Homepage

Exploring Careers in Business

A professor delivering a lecture to a classroom of attentive students, with laptops open in front of them.

Exploring Careers in Business for Highschool Students

  • Have you ever noticed how Nike shoes have stayed popular across generations? Your parents probably wore them too. That’s the power of branding and marketing—business shaping culture.
  • Have you ever been amazed at how Chick-fil-A gets you through the drive-thru in under five minutes? That’s process design and customer experience—business making things better.
  • Have you ever wondered how Amazon manages billions in sales and still stays profitable year after year? That’s the power of accounting systems and financial planning—business securing its future.

If you’re considering a career in business but are unsure which path to take or whether it's the right choice for you, Exploring Careers in Business is a fantastic opportunity to discover your options and gain valuable industry insights. Discover how your talents and skills could be honed to shape culture, solve problems, and make a difference.

How to Register

Sessions are open to any high school junior or senior interested in pursuing a career in business.

Community Programs

About the Program

 

Exploring Careers in Business will introduce you to a variety of business professions in accounting, finance, data analytics, marketing, and management. During three fall evening sessions, students will get a real sense of what a career in business looks like with:

  • Interactive sessions with industry professionals
  • Hands-on experience with business simulations
  • An operational excellence focused tour of Wabtec’s facility
  • Insights into certifications and career pathways

If you enjoyed running lemonade stands when you were a kid, took the lead on group projects at school, or have thought about how to make things run more smoothly at your afterschool job, these sessions might help you discern if a career in business is right for you.

Perks of the Program

  • Network with business professionals and like-minded peers
  • Explore and validate your interest in business
  • Learn from experts in the field
  • Earn a $1,000 scholarship to Saint Vincent College when you attend all three sessions and enroll at SVC

Sessions

Management and Operational Excellence*

October 20, 2025, 6:00 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.
*Deadline to register: Friday, October 17.

Presenters: 
Mike Urick, PhD
Mark Kachmar, MBA

Discover how management strategies and the principles of Operational Excellence help companies like Toyota enhance performance, streamline operations, and consistently rank among the world’s most reliable automakers.

Take a behind-the-scenes tour of Wabtec’s Fulmer Company in Export PA, focusing on operational excellence.

Marketing, Analytics, and Enterprise Resource Planning*

November 6, 2025, 6:00 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.
*Deadline to register: Monday, November 3.

Presenters: 
Robert Markley Jr.
Mary Regina Boland, PhD
Justin Petrovich, PhD
Caitlin Michael, PhD
Katie O’Conner

Learn how business software helps major corporations like Walmart manage everything from one place. Discover how branding helps non-profits like the American Cancer Society tell a powerful story. Understand how data and statistics guide small businesses like your local coffee shop make smarter decisions that drive success.

Get an inside look at SAP Business One, the powerful software businesses use every day to manage operations, track finances, and streamline workflows.

Accounting and Finance*

November 17, 2025, 6:00 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.
*Deadline to register: Friday, November 14.

Presenters: 
Mitchell G. Farrell, CPA, MBA, FMVA
Courtney A. Baum
Patrick Cortazzo, CFP®, ChFC®, CSLP®

Learn the basics of financial statements and understand how investment advisors help clients reach their savings goals.

Step into the role of an accounting professional as you analyze financial statements for companies like Apple and Amazon before building your own.

About the Presenters

  • $item.image-alt

    Mike Urick, PhD

    Dean of Alex G. McKenna School of Business, Economics, and Government, Saint Vincent College

    Dr. Michael Urick is the Dean of the McKenna School of Business at Saint Vincent College and a professor specializing in leadership, management, and operational excellence. With a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and over 70 publications—including books and articles on leadership and workplace culture—he helps students understand how strong communication and ethics shape successful businesses.

  • $item.image-alt

    Mark Kachmar, MBA

    Executive in Residence, Marketing and Administration, Saint Vincent College

    Mr. Mark Kachmar is an executive in residence at Saint Vincent College with over 30 years of global leadership experience in operational excellence and project management. A chemical engineer with an MBA and Lean/Six Sigma Black Belt certification, he teaches graduate courses on subjects like agile project management and brings real-world insight into how businesses run efficiently and effectively.

  • $item.image-alt

    Robert Markley Jr., MBA

    Management and Administration Instructor, Saint Vincent College

    Mr. Robert Markley is a business technology expert and entrepreneur who teaches information systems and leads the SAP Business One™ certification program at Saint Vincent College. With decades of experience in consulting, enterprise systems, and strategic management, he helps students understand how technology supports smarter business decisions.

  • $item.image-alt

    Mary Regina Boland, PhD

    Assistant professor of Data Science, Saint Vincent College

    Dr. Mary Regina Boland is a data scientist and professor at Saint Vincent College, where she teaches students how to use data to solve problems in health, business, and beyond. With experience at top institutions like the University of Pennsylvania, she brings real-world insight into how technology and analytics shape the world around us.

  • $item.image-alt

    Justin Petrovich, PhD

    Associate Professor Department Chair Marketing, Analytics, & Global Commerce, Saint Vincent College

    Dr. Justin Petrovich is a professor and department chair at Saint Vincent College, where he teaches courses in data science, statistics, and business analytics. With a Ph.D. in Statistics from Penn State and experience consulting across fields like marketing and mental health, he helps students explore how data can solve real-world problems.

  • $item.image-alt

    Caitlin Michael, PhD

    Assistant Professor, Marketing, Analytics, and Global Commerce, Saint Vincent College

    Caitlin Michael teaches marketing at Saint Vincent College and researches how people make charitable donations and support causes they care about. With a Ph.D. in marketing and a passion for consumer well-being, she helps students explore how marketing can make a positive impact in both business and society.

  • $item.image-alt

    Katie O’Conner, MA

    Assistant Director and Career Consultant, Career and Professional Development Center, Saint Vincent College

    Ms. Katie O’Connor helps college students explore careers and prepare for life after graduation as the Assistant Director of Career Services at Saint Vincent College. She guides students through resume writing, job and internship searches, and interview prep. She is enjoys helping them find paths that match their passions.

  • $item.image-alt

    Mitchell G. Farrell, CPA, MBA, FMVA

    Assurance Services Manager, Sisterson & Co. LLP

    Mr. Mitch Farrell is an assurance services manager at Sisterson & Co. LLP, where he provides accounting and assurance services across industries including manufacturing, professional services, and nonprofits. A Saint Vincent College graduate with degrees in accounting and music, Mitch also serves as an instructor in Sisterson’s continuing education program and contributes to the Saint Vincent Alumni Council. His expertise spans tax compliance, business valuation, and financial modeling.

  • $item.image-alt

    Courtney A. Baum, MA

    Director of Talent, Sisterson & Co. LLP

    Ms. Courtney Baum oversees recruitment at Sisterson, a certified public accounting and advisory firm. She partners with firm leadership to determine hiring needs and implements strategies to attract and retain top regional talent. With over two decades of experience in career development, including leadership roles at Carnegie Mellon University and Saint Vincent College, she brings expertise in hiring strategy, student mentorship, and professional growth. Courtney has also served on multiple executive boards, championing wellness, education, and career advancement.

  • $item.image-alt

    Patrick Cortazzo, CFP®, ChFC®, CSLP®

    Wealth Planning Analyst, Waldron Private Wealth

    Mr. Patrick Cortazzo works for Waldron Private Wealth as a wealth planning analyst who specializes in constructing sophisticated planning strategies for high-net-worth business owners and families. Prior to joining Waldron, Patrick worked at Treloar & Heisel, focusing on financial planning, investment management, and retirement plan services for dental and medical practitioners. He exemplifies a commitment to lifelong learning and is a CFP® professional, Chartered Financial Consultant ChFC®, and Certified Student Loan Professional CSLP®. A 2018 graduate of Saint Vincent College, Patrick also serves as an adjunct professor of finance at his alma mater.

Parent Sessions

November 6, 2025, 6.p.m.- 8:15 p.m.

Presentation on career paths, certifications, and earnings potential for careers in management, marketing, data analytics, and more.

November 17, 2025, 6 p.m.- 8:15 p.m.

Presentation on career paths, certifications, and earnings potential for careers in accounting and finance.

How to Register

Sessions are open to any high school junior or senior interested in pursuing a career in business.

Community Programs
Back to Top