The program was developed through the Career Services Enhancement Initiative funded by Board of Trustees member Mark R. Shenkman, M.B.A. ’67, and his wife, Rosalind.
“CareerQuest was created in the spirit of what Mr. Shenkman prioritized for his generous donation—preparing students to excel in the workplace,” said Staci Fowler, managing director of GW’s employer services. “We worked with students during the semester, and the site visits allowed them to see their industry of interest up close, ask questions of employers and hopefully develop a better understanding of where they are headed professionally.”
Center for Career Services staff and GW Alumni Association Career Services Committee members selected student participants from a pool of more than 70 GW juniors, seniors and graduate students. According to Ms. Fowler, CareerQuest helps students develop valuable connections with alumni mentors, gain practical professional skills and see the day-to-day workings of their chosen industry.
Employers in four industries—advertising and design; broadcast, print and digital media; civic engagement and public service; and sustainability—opened their doors to students last week, fielding questions about opportunities, sharing their company goals and providing an overview of what they value in potential candidates.
Company site visits included NBC Universal, Spotify, the American Red Cross, Reclaim NYC, the Clinton Foundation, Ogilvy Public Relations, CohnReznick Capital Market Securities and 18 others.
Students also were assigned an alumni mentor during the program. More than 20 GW alumni participated as mentors or site hosts.
Michelle Fallat Harris, B.B.A. ’89, M.B.A. ’90 is the northeast division disaster director for the American Red Cross and serves on the board of the GWAA.Ms. Harris said she was impressed by the thoughtful preparation that students demonstrated during the Red Cross visit.
“Their confidence and ability to professionally interact with Red Cross senior executives was impressive,” Ms. Harris said. “Our visit included four straight hours of intense presentations and discussion, and they were focused and engaged right through to the end.
“I’m pleased that GW is offering this kind of support for students and excited to be able to help them prepare for life beyond the university,” she said.
George Washington Today writer spoke with two SMPA students about their Career Quest experience.
Danielle Noel
Class of 2015, School of Media and Public Affairs
Cohort: Advertising and Design
Most important thing you learned during site visits? Perseverance. At Ogilvy, we heard from a woman who applied to the company four separate times. She knew she wanted to work there and never stopped trying until she was employed at Ogilvy. Really knowing why you are passionate about the work a company does helps. As much as I want to get a job, I want to be strategic in my application, seeking positions where I know I can grow.
Sum up the experience in three words: Insightful, thrilling and fast-paced.
Honor Williams
Class of 2015, School of Media and Public Affairs
Cohort: Broadcast, Print and Digital Media
Why did you apply to the program? As a native Washingtonian, I did not know where to begin to understand the entertainment hierarchy in New York City. By participating in Career Quest, I knew I would learn all possible information about beginning a career in broadcast, print and digital media in one of the largest entertainment capitals of the world.
Most important thing you learned during site visits? Take full advantage of the strong GW alumni network. It is all about connections, especially in the entertainment business, and GW has connections at the highest level of all branches of media.