Alumni volunteers connect first-year students with real-world career pathways
LATROBE, PA – Saint Vincent College is integrating a new career exploration unit into its first-year writing course, giving freshmen the opportunity to engage directly with alumni working in fields of interest. The initiative reflects the College’s mission to help students integrate their professional aspirations with the broader purposes of human life.
The Career Exploration Partnership Program, supported through the McIntyre Career Exploration Fund, guides first-year students through a multi-part process that combines classroom learning with professional networking.
Students are introduced to career competencies and tools that help them understand how a liberal arts and sciences education prepares them for diverse career pathways. A centerpiece of the unit is a 30-40-minute professional conversation with a Saint Vincent alumnus who volunteers to share insights about their career trajectory, field and the skills that shaped their success.
“Through this interview experience, students develop professional communication skills by composing introductory emails and conducting meaningful conversations with working professionals,” said Dr. Sara Lindey, chair of the English Department and a professor of English in the College’s School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (AHSS). “Following their interviews, students develop academic writing skills by completing a research project on an issue relevant to the field. Ultimately, we hope our students deepen their connection to their own education and grow their confidence by reflecting on what they’ve learned about both the profession and themselves.”
Dr. Elaine Bennett, AHSS Dean, believes the Career Exploration Partnership Program will be vital to students’ education at Saint Vincent College.
“This initiative connects the classroom to the real world,” she said. “Students will have a guided opportunity to explore careers and career pathways early on in their college education while developing academic and professional skills. Our English Department colleagues have constructed an incredibly high-impact unit in the first-year Core Writing course.”
The College is now recruiting alumni volunteers across all industries and career fields. Participants will be matched with first-year writing students based on shared career interests and will serve as Career Exploration Partners. Interested alumni with questions can contact Bennett at elaine.bennett@stvincent.edu. The registration form and additional information can be found on the Career Exploration Partnership Program page.
“I believe a program of this magnitude will certainly help today’s students explore potential career choices, but what I like most about the program is that it will serve as a training tool for future expectations of alumni participation with the College,” said Warner Johnson, C’93, senior director of alumni relations. “When you view our current students as future alumni, programs like this will reinforce the sense of community and the importance of giving back a little time, talent and treasure to help Saint Vincent College stay strong.”
The initiative launches in the 2026-27 academic year, with first-year writing faculty from the English Department, in collaboration with Career and Professional Development Center staff, guiding students through the career exploration unit.
