SMU students have a chance to network with and get advice from top area professionals Thursday night at View from the Top.
The program, sponsored by the Hegi Family Career Development Center and the Wesley Foundation, allows students to mingle with executives from Fortune 500 companies, law firms and private practices in the Dallas area.
“Ask questions, leave impressions, make connections” is the theme of the program. Dawna Milligan, career center counselor, said 75 percent of people find jobs through networking.
Thursday’s program will bring leading corporate executives from various companies ranging from Lacerte Technologies to Wal-Mart.
Robin DeVore, administrative assistant at the career center, encourages all students to attend because the event is not geared toward any specific major. Rather, it simply provides advice on success.
Students will sit in 15-minute rotations composed roughly of seven students and a corporate executive. The students will have an opportunity to ask questions and gain valuable experience-based advice. By providing information on the various executives, students will be directed toward the people of most interest to them.
Senior Robert Olivier recalls last year’s View from the Top. He received advice to be a “smart risk taker” from SMU alum Pat Bolin, president of Eagle Oil and Gas.
“As someone entering the working world, it was refreshing to see adults living on the edge of the business world and loving it,” Olivier said.
The event is also an opportunity for executives to keep in touch with the interests of upcoming career seekers. Kimberly Samon, director of the human resources practices group for Lacerte Technologies, hopes to get as much from the event as she gives.
“I hope to get an idea of what students coming into the workplace are looking for,” Samon said. “This is an opportunity to understand what qualities of Lacerte appeal to students.”
View from the Top will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the Hughes-Trigg ballroom. Appetizers and soft drinks will be served and admission is free.
