Kickstart your journey with our exciting new Career Exploration Summit—a conference-style event designed for first- and second-year students! Over 25+ alumni from the University of Rochester are dedicating their time to return to campus to share their stories with YOU. You’ll hear firsthand from graduates who were once in your shoes—how they found their path, built valuable skills, and made the most of their time at Rochester.
Start your day with our morning keynote speaker, Jamal Holtz, then attend alumni breakout sessions and Career Education Circuits of your choice—where you can get your resume reviewed, snap a headshot for LinkedIn, and update your Handshake profile. Enjoy a complimentary lunch while listening to our keynote speaker, Pat Manuel. Then, attend afternoon alumni breakout sessions or dive into the Experiential Learning Fair, where you can explore interactive activities that will help spark ideas for what you’d like to pursue in the future.
Registration is required, so sign up below to save your spot!
| 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM | Welcome & Check-In Feldman Ballroom Lobby, Douglass Commons | |
| 10:00 AM – 10:40 AM | Morning Keynote Speaker Feldman Ballroom, Douglass Commons | View Keynote Speaker |
| 10:45 AM – 11:15 AM | Morning Breakout Session #1 | View Sessions |
| 11:25 AM – 11:55 AM | Morning Breakout Session #2 | View Sessions |
| 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM | Lunch Keynote Speaker Feldman Ballroom, Douglass Commons | View Keynote Speaker |
| 1:25 PM – 1:55 PM | Afternoon Breakout Session #1 | View Sessions |
| 2:05 PM – 2:35 PM | Afternoon Breakout Session #2 | View Sessions |
| 2:45 PM – 3:00 PM | Closing Speaker & Gift Giveaway Feldman Ballroom, Douglass Commons |
There are plenty of reasons why you should attend the Career Exploration Summit, but here are just a few:
Get Started
Get the inside scoop from
alumni on how to best utilize your
first few years at Rochester to
propel yourself to success.
Build Your Network
It’s a great, low-pressure way
to start building your network
of alumni and peers.
Connect With Alumni
A diverse group of 25+ alumni
are traveling back to Rochester
to connect with you!
Explore Pathways
Learn firsthand about career paths
and possibilities from alumni who
have experience in the field.
To register for the Career Exploration Summit, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Confirm your attendance by clicking the ‘Join Us!’ button below where you will RSVP in CCC and note any accommodations and/or dietary restrictions.
Step 2: After registering for the main event in CCC, you will be redirected back to this page where you can browse the available breakout sessions. Once you’ve decided on the breakout session you would like to attend during each timeslot, click the ‘Register Here’ button below the alumni speaker’s photo to complete your registration for each in CCC.
Step 3: Be sure to review your ‘Upcoming Events’ in CCC to ensure you have registered for the Career Exploration Summit main event and four breakout sessions.
Step 4: See you there!
10:00 AM – 10:40 AM
Morning Keynote Speaker: Jamal Holtz
Engaging in the Campus Community
In this keynote address, Jamal Holtz ’20 will discuss how first and second year students can begin to make the most of their time at Rochester by connecting across campus using personal stories from his time at Rochester and beyond.
10:45 AM – 11:15 AM
Morning Breakout Session #1
Register for one of the following breakout sessions during this time:
Director of Beyond Beer Operations, Anheuser-Busch
Conor McNamara ’13, E5 ’14 completed his BS in Chemical Engineering in 2013 and, in 2014, participated in Rochester’s e5 Program, where he worked on developing a product line of zero-waste soap. Learn more about Conor here.
Associate Principal Scientist in Oral Formulation Sciences Team,
Merck & Co., Inc.
MayLin Howard ’16 is an associate principal scientist in the Oral Formulation Sciences team at Merck & Co., Inc., where she works on drug product development of oral solid dosage forms (tablets, capsules). Learn more about MayLin here.
Associate Director of Institutional Giving, Orchestra of St. Luke’s
Bryce Davis ’20 is a creative, dynamic non-profit professional based in New York City. Bryce is Associate Director of Institutional Giving for the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, where he is responsible for millions in corporate, foundation, and government grants each year. Learn more about Bryce here.
Paralegal, Manhattan District Attorney’s Office
Samantha “Sammi” Becker ’23 is a paralegal at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. She works in the Rackets Bureau where she assists in the investigation of complex white-collar criminal cases. Prior to her work at the DA’s Office, Samantha interned at the Middle East Media Research Institute. Learn more about Sammi here.
President, Novem Group
Pat Manuel ’06 is currently the President of Novem Group, a Rochester based investment management company which works with independent advisors across the country. Pat currently serves on the boards of CDS Life Transitions, The Italian Heritage Foundation, and is the co-founder of The Novem Foundation, which aims to help families in the greater Rochester, NY area break the cycle of poverty for their children and families. Learn more about Pat here.
Updates Editor, Forbes Advisor
Evan Coleman ’23 began his career as an intern at Forbes Advisor, where he wrote over 60 original pieces on personal finance, credit cards, and travel. He then transitioned into a full-time editor role, splitting his time between the company’s Legal vertical and the Data & Automation team, editing content, collaborating with freelance writers, and leveraging data and AI tools. Learn more about Evan here.
Career Education Circuits
Participate in a 5-minute resume workshop, LinkedIn photo booth, and update your Handshake and Greene Center profiles.
11:25 AM – 11:55 AM
Morning Breakout Session #2
Register for one of the following breakout sessions during this time:
Cofounder, Benchmark Labs
Ulrik Soderstrom ’16, MS ’17 is the cofounder of Benchmark Labs, a climate tech company that provides point specific environmental forecasts. Ulrik has a Master of Science in Data Science and became an operations practitioner at McKinsey & Company. Learn more about Ulrik here.
Researcher in Electoral Attacks and CS Theory, Assistant Professor, Denison University
Michael Chavrimootoo ’20, MS ’21, PhD ’24 is an Assistant Professor at Denison University and an enthusiastic researcher with publications with professional experience in software/web development, algorithm design, and process optimization. Learn more about Michael here.
Assistant Nurse Manager, University of Rochester Medical Center
Farrell Cooke ’14 is an Assistant Nurse Manager in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Strong Memorial Hospital. Prior to Nursing, Farrell was a clinical research associate at NewYork-Presbyterian | Weill Cornell Medical Center in the Dept. of Anesthesiology where she published numerous scientific papers and presented at international anesthesia conferences. Learn more about Farrell here.
Communications Director, U.S. House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi
Ian Krager ’22 is the Communications Director for U.S. House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi. He has worked in Speaker Pelosi’s office for nearly three years and previously served as her press secretary. As communications director, Ian manages and executes Speaker Pelosi’s communications and media strategy to advance her official and political priorities. Learn more about Ian here.
Senior Associate, EY-Parthenon
Daler Beisenbayev ’22 is Senior Associate at EY-Parthenon, a management consulting firm under the Ernst & Young umbrella that helps clients address their most pressing strategic challenges (e.g., market entry studies, growth strategy, commercial due diligences, etc.). Daler is based in the Boston office and is part of the Life Sciences practice, working with both corporate strategy and private equity clients. Learn more about Daler here.
Electrical Engineer,
Unither Pharmaceuticals
Chuck Chimera ’21 is currently an electrical engineer at Unither Pharmaceuticals in Rochester, NY. He works on the building and optimization of new and current pharmaceutical manufacturing lines. Before joining Unither Pharmaceuticals he worked as an engineer at a materials research startup. Learn more about Chuck here.
Community Prevention Curriculum Coordinator, Trillium Health
Jacob Hall ’23 (He/They) graduated from the University of Rochester with a B.S. in Environmental Health and a Certificate in Community Engaged Learning in 2023. Throughout his time at the University of Rochester, Jacob was active within the public health sphere, taking leadership roles within GlobeMed, and more. Learn more about Jacob here.
Career Education Circuits
Participate in a 5-minute resume workshop, LinkedIn photo booth, and update your Handshake and Greene Center profiles.
12:00 PM – 1:15 PM
Lunch Keynote Speaker: Pat Manuel
Making Connections
In this keynote address, Pat Manuel ’06 will discuss how to begin making connections and building your network early while at Rochester, how this will prove useful throughout your time, and building the necessary skills as you become professionals.
1:25 PM – 1:55 PM
Afternoon Breakout Session #1
Register for one of the following breakout sessions during this time:
Chief of Staff, LINK Strategic Partners
Jamal Holtz ’20 is a native Washingtonian, having grown up in Ward 8 of Washington, DC. Jamal serves as Chief of Staff at LINK Strategic Partners (LINK), where he helps lead the firm’s executive functions, business development, strategy, and public affairs portfolio, as well as its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging work internally and externally. Learn more about Jamal here.
Manufacturing Manager,
Rochester Precision Optics
Sarah Bjornland ’17 is currently a Manufacturing Manager at Rochester Precision Optics, where she oversees the company’s three optical assembly departments. Learn more about Sarah here.
Principal Innovative Finance Team, The Rockefeller Foundation
Lorenzo Mendez ’12 is a Principal on The Rockefeller Foundation’s Innovative Finance team, which makes impact investments aimed at unlocking private capital flows, with a focus on climate finance. Prior to joining the Foundation, Lorenzo was an investment banker with J.P. Morgan helping clients access public and private capital markets. He began his career at Barclays Capital. Learn more about Lorenzo here.
Human Subject Research Specialist, University of Rochester Medical Center
Alejandro Vera ’21, MS ’23 is a double-alum of the University of Rochester! He is a first-generation student and originally from the Bay Area in California. Alejandro’s undergraduate journey started in 2018 on the River Campus, and he graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in Bioethics in December of 2021. Learn more about Alejandro.
Supply Chain Analyst,
QED Technologies
Brad Carroll ’16 is currently a Supply Chain Analyst with QED Technologies in Rochester. He graduated from the University of Rochester in 2016 and have held positions with local companies like MirrorShow Management, and RES Exhibit Services, and large international companies like General Electric. Learn more about Brad here.
Experiential Learning Fair
Participate in interactive activities hosted by University of Rochester departments to jump start your exploration and pursuit of co-curricular experiential learning opportunities.
2:05 PM – 2:35 PM
Afternoon Breakout Session #2
Register for one of the following breakout sessions during this time:
PhD Candidate, Stanford University; Physicist, US Army Space & Missile Defense Command
Ian Gabalski ’17 is a PhD Candidate in Applied Physics at Stanford University, where he uses high-intensity, ultrafast pulsed lasers to study quantum molecular dynamics and strong-field light-matter interactions. He worked at the US Army Space and Missile Defense Command, focusing on the development of high-energy laser systems for countering airborne targets. Learn more about Ian here.
Senior Analyst Safety Portfolio Management Team, United Airlines
Louis Fusilli ’18 is the Senior Analyst on United’s Safety Portfolio Management Team, charged with assessing hazards identified throughout the United global network and providing pilots with data-driven guidance to conduct flights in accordance with our standards. Learn more about Louis here.
News Verification Reporter,
The Associated Press
Melissa Goldin ’13 is a New York-based news verification reporter at The Associated Press, where she analyzes, tracks, and debunks misinformation. She writes about a diverse array of subject matter, including U.S. elections, international conflicts, and fake alien invasions. Learn more about Melissa here.
Program Manager, AidData
Lea Thome ’22 received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Relations with a minor in Chinese language and culture from the University of Rochester. During her time as a student, Lea served as the President of UPSIRC, founded the International Students’ Association, and was involved in SA Government and Class Council. Learn more about Lea here.
Assessment and Accreditation Officer, La Salle University
Matthew Smalarz PhD16 serves as the Accreditation and Assessment Officer and the Accreditation Liaison Officer to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education at La Salle University, which is also his alma mater, in Philadelphia. Learn more about Matthew here.
Regional Director, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
Austin Ponce ‘19 currently serves as the Rochester-Finger Lakes Regional Director for U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. In this role, he advises on local issues and builds relationships with elected officials and community leaders in a 10-county region of New York. Learn more about Austin here.
Chief Program Officer, Foodlink
Mitch Gruber PhD ’17 has filled a number of positions at Foodlink since 2008, with the common thread being expanding Foodlink’s partnerships in the communities they serve. Before Foodlink, Mitch worked as a Head Start teacher for Action for a Better Community. Learn more about Mitch here.
Experiential Learning Fair
Participate in interactive activities hosted by University of Rochester departments to jump start your exploration and pursuit of co-curricular experiential learning opportunities.
