Fourteen of the students, all who major in finance, had the opportunity to partake in two relevant industry visits. The first, at Sandler O’Neill + Partners, L.P., was hosted by Brian Bertonazzi ’82, principal and head of equity sales and trading, and Amanda Gilman ’09, director. There, the students had the opportunity for career discussion, networking with Sandler O’Neill employees, and the chance to hear directly from Bertonazzi and Gilman about their work in the private equity field.
The group then visited the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, where students were hosted by alumnus Joseph Cardello ’90, head of markets, Americas – institutional banking and markets. This visit provided students an overview of the company and the opportunity to hear firsthand from Cardello about his daily work and career path. Kenneth J. Lavierre ’77, Partner at Shearman & Sterling, LLP, shared his career advice with students as well.
This group of students then rounded out the weekend by participating in the 2017 Quinnipiac Global Asset Management Education (G.A.M.E.) Forum. The G.A.M.E. Forum provides an international group of college students and faculty, numbering nearly 1,500, with a unique opportunity to interact with industry leaders and learn best practices in investment management. It was the sixth consecutive year that Merrimack students have participated in the event, which was led by Girard School Dean Mark Cordano and Professor Mary Papazian, Director of the Mucci Capital Markets Lab.
Ten additional students, all studying marketing or management, had the opportunity to visit both Calvin Klein and Mercer while in New York City. At Calvin Klein, students were given a tour of the Calvin Klein offices and the chance to meet and connect with employees from sales, marketing, product development and design within the company.
This opportunity was made possible by former trustee and alumnus Francis “Ken” Duane ’80 of PVH, Corporation. The Mercer visit, hosted by Mary Tinebra ’82, U.S. growth leader and senior partner, allowed the group to learn more about Mercer and engage in conversations on college-to-career transitions and career paths in Human Resources Management. Tinebra also serves as member of the College Leadership Council.
In what has now become an annual event, both groups of students were able to spend Wednesday night at an alumni networking event in the City hosted by the Office of Development and Alumni Relations. More than 30 alumni were on hand to provide the students with additional networking opportunities and career advice.
