Geneseo Helps Students Build Career Networks

Students at networking event (SUNY Geneseo/Keith Walters ’11)

Professional networking can provide a big return on investment when it comes to a student’s job search. Geneseo’s career resources help students learn to build the personal connections that support their job opportunities.

“The biggest game changer is your network, especially when technology is used in the job search process,” says Jessie Stack Lombardo, executive director of the Career Design Center. “It’s not who you know, it’s who knows you. It’s making sure that when opportunities arise, your name comes up.”

Geneseo’s Alumni Career Advisor Network is an important tool in that effort. The free online mentoring platform connects students with alums to explore potential careers, provide job search advice, and begin networking.

“Only 30 percent of jobs are ever posted, and those tend to be in places where posting is required,” says Lombardo. “For the bulk of highly coveted, highly competitive opportunities, people go to them.”

“My current internship was not advertised on the county website,” says Isabel Marzec ’25, currently a forensic intern at the Athens-Clarke County (GA) Police Department. A biology major with a minor in geological sciences and a microcredential in archeology, she emailed the forensic unit’s sergeant explaining her qualifications and future career interests, then inquired about opportunities within the department. She was offered an internship shortly after.

Connecting students with alums can open up similar “hidden” job opportunities. Student advisees who actively engage with alums for career advice are 18 percent more likely to graduate with a full-time job and receive 22 percent higher starting salaries than their peers.

“Geneseo alums willingly volunteer their time with advice, informational interviews, and connections,” says Lombardo. “They want to pay it forward, and they want to build recruitment pipelines for their companies.”

Other networking resources from the Career Design Center include databases such as Career Shift and sponsored events that bring both alums and potential employers to campus. In addition, the Geneseo Opportunities for Leadership Development (GOLD) program offers workshops, such as Networking 101 and Creating a Professional Profile on LinkedIn, to help students develop and maintain strong networks.

“Networking 101 has been especially helpful following graduation since I’ve been able to make connections with both potential employers and prospective advisors for graduate studies,” says Marzec. “Nine times out of ten, people are happy to help a young person asking meaningful questions about their own careers and academic paths. Questions often open doors you didn’t even know were there.”

The job market will be challenging for graduates, says Lombardo. “AI has disrupted the talent market, especially for entry-level tasks. Students need to know their skills, articulate them clearly, and translate them to real-world positions. I encourage students to get out of their comfort zone and build their networks.”

Learn more about Career Design resources for students.