Career experiences such as internships are a fantastic way for students to apply what they've learned in class, experience career fields first-hand, and/or course-correct career paths they may not like," explained Wren Fritsky, Director for Career and Professional Development. "Some companies hire exclusively from their intern pool, so it greatly increases a student's chance of finding a career fit right after graduation."

Students from Bloomsburg, part of Commonwealth University, recently participated in internship experiences via The Washington Center (TWC) in Washington, D.C. TWC's Academic Internship Program is composed of three components: an internship, academic coursework, and career readiness programming - each designed to help students translate their academic and professional interests into careers they love. Bloomsburg has helped its students launch fulfilling careers as a regular partner of TWC for more than a decade.

Bloomsburg University students participated in an intense professional development program this spring at the Greenly Center in downtown Bloomsburg. During the three-day Career Intensive Boot Camp (CIBC), students learned the "soft skills" of professionalism through team building and personal branding exercises, alumni panels and employer presentations, as well as a networking lunch and etiquette dinner. Topics included everything from navigating career paths and money management to student loan repayment and job searching. Students also had the opportunity to have their resume reviewed and practice their interviews, as well as become comfortable with professional networking.

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania students recently participated in internship experiences via The Washington Center (TWC) in Washington, D.C. TWC's Academic Internship Program is composed of three components: an internship, academic coursework, and career readiness programming - each designed to help students translate their academic and professional interests into careers they love. Bloomsburg University has helped their students launch fulfilling careers as a regular partner of TWC for more than a decade.

More than 500 students from Bloomsburg University recently completed academic internships. Bloomsburg University has established relationships with more than 2,000 companies across the United States, such as JP Morgan Chase & Co., Comcast, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), The Department of Homeland Security, FBI, Verizon, and the Walt Disney Company. Internships are part of The Professional U experience at Bloomsburg University which connects students with alumni, employers, and opportunities that integrate academics with experiential learning. Through professional development and career experiences, students build the skills and confidence necessary to impact their community and profession.

Over 20 Bloomsburg University students participated in an intense professional development program from September 20 to October 25. During the Career Intensive Boot Camp (CIBC), students learn professionalism and how to leverage their transferrable skills, as well as have the opportunity to connect with alumni in their industry. Live discussions and self-paced content included advice for the first week on the job and navigating office relationships, as well as information on finances and salary negotiation. Students also had the opportunity to have their resume and cover letter reviewed, and participate in live networking sessions and mock interviews.

Bloomsburg University students participated in an intense professional development program from September 7 to November 10. During the virtual Career Intensive Boot Camp (CIBC), students learned the "soft skills" of professionalism and had the opportunity to connect with alumni in their industry through live discussions and self-paced content that included the importance of personality on a career, advice for young professionals, the first week on the job, professional and office relationships, finances, and salary negotiation. Students also had the opportunity to have their resume and cover letter reviewed, participate in live networking sessions, and practice interviewing.

Bloomsburg University held its first etiquette event on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, with 147 students attending. Meals, Manners and Mentors was designed to simulate a professional conference and networking experience and help students gain confidence with professional interactions and etiquette. Students were mailed a package prior to the event that included laminated placemats printed with place settings and the "Do's and Don'ts" of professional dining, a set of bamboo cutlery, and a "menu" with the agenda and suggested conversation starters. An overview and demonstration of professional dining and etiquette was presented by Maria Bauman of Aramark and included an overview of place settings, proper attire and table manners, and professional behavior in both virtual and in-person settings. BU alumni volunteers were "seated" with students and helped coach them on starting and maintaining appropriate dining conversation. Students were also encouraged to follow up with their new contacts via LinkedIn after the event.

Bloomsburg University held it's fifth annual Day of Dialgoue on Wednesday, Oct. 21, which was attended by 85 students and 40 alumni, faculty, and staff. Day of Dialogue is an annual event that brings together students, alumni, faculty, and staff of various backgrounds to connect with their shared experiences and allows alumni to support students as they navigate their experiences at BU. It is planned and supported by the Bloomsburg University Alumni Association Board of Directors, Alumni and Professional Engagement, Office of Access and Success, Multicultural Center, Cultural Affairs, and the President's Commission on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Bloomsburg University students and alumni participated in a virtual networking event on September 10, 2020, entitled: Our World Runs on DATA: An Insider's Guide to IT Careers. Those in attendance heard from leading experts in the field, networked with IT professionals and students interested in the IT industry, and explored career options in Informational Technology such as big data, cloud computing, blockchain, and more. The event, originally scheduled for April 2020 in Philadelphia, was free and open to all Bloomsburg University students, alumni, faculty, and staff members. Keynote Speakers were JD Hannick, global vice president of data at Foot Locker, and Niresh Agarwal, senior director of data science at VMWare.

Nearly 50 Bloomsburg University students participated in the intense professional development program at the Greenly Center in downtown Bloomsburg from February 28-March 1, 2020. During the two-and-a-half-day Career Intensive Boot Camp (CIBC), students learned the "soft skills" of professionalism through team building and personal branding exercises, alumni panels and employer presentations, as well as a networking lunch and etiquette dinner. Topics include everything from navigating career paths and company culture to money management, student loan repayment, and job searching. Students also had the opportunity to have their resume and cover letter reviewed and practice their interview skills in person, over the phone, or virtually. Students also got comfortable with professional networking.

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania baseball team, in conjunction with the Department of Alumni and Professional Engagement, recently hosted the program's second annual Baseball Career Night at Jamison Elementary School in Jamison, PA. The event allowed current BU baseball players to network with university alumni and other team affiliated mentors as they prepare for professional careers. The students participated in alumni-led networking exercises, panel discussions, and resume reviews. More than twenty BU alumni participated in the event, including Nick Giuffre '78, CEO (retired), Bradford White Corporation, Rick Rogers '77, Senior VP-Wealth Management, UBS Financial Services, Jason Vavra '95, Managing Member, CVM Wealth, and investment and residential realtor, Phil Stan '94. Bloomsburg University alumnus and principal of Jamison Elementary, Matt Croyle '95, hosted the event.

Emily Bruno, M.Ed. '19, a student in the Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania College Student Affairs graduate program, will present an educational session at the annual conference of the Mid-Atlantic Association of College and University Housing Officers in Erie from Oct. 24-26.