Jeff Snyder  

Graduation Date: Spring 2010
Major: Instructional Studies
Employer: PNC

In Spring 2010, Jeff was finishing his senior year at Point Park University, and today he holds a position as a Court Accountant for PNC Wealth Management Group. He has traded a book bag for a briefcase and spends his days preparing schedules and releases for clients, beneficiaries, administrative and financial officers. He credits his knowledge of accounting and financial concepts to his Point Park education and says that it was the guidance from the Career Development Center that helped him to understand how to be a better job seeker.

"I know what employers look for and how to catch their attention, as well as how to approach and interview with employers. Because it is a tough economic time with the job market, students should definitely take advantage of the services Career Development offers.”

Carla Leininger

Graduation Date: Fall 2010
Major: Masters in Journalism & Mass Communications
Employer: Zenith Infotech, Ltd.

Carla first visited the Career Development Center to learn about possible employment opportunities. Not only did she learn about job openings and undergo a cover letter review, Carla learned about other positions beyond her work experience that could utilize her talents. With help from the career counselors Carla learned that it takes networking to expand the horizon of opportunity!

“At times when you are job searching you get stuck in your ideas and perspectives. If you see a counselor at Point Park they can help you see the market through their eyes, which in turn, can light a new bulb in your mind. It’s beneficial to have someone coaching you through the process and helping you to stay focused and motivated.”

Eric Probola

Graduated: December 2010
Major: Global Cultural Studies
Minor: Political Science

Eric initiated his visit with the Career Development Center because he didn't  know how to make a resume. Now Eric is an administrative assistant for the Overseas Planning Team at the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, a perfect fit for his Global Cultural Studies major! Eric helps with everything from event planning, coordinating meetings, emailing donors and staff, to also editing important documents. With help from Career Development, Eric was able to build confidence and the tailored resume he needed to get the attention of employers and land his first post-graduate job.

“My visit to Career Development was my first step in my job search, and it's true that the first step is the hardest. Once you go to Career Development, your job search feels real. That's scary, but it's also reassuring to know that Point Park has an office with great people willing to help.”

Dana Meiers

Graduated: May 2010
Major: Business Management
Employer: USPS Office of Inspector General

Dana is currently an Audit Evaluator for the USPS Office of Inspector General and has held this position since June 2010. While her title is auditor, she has been detailed to help maintain the audit program and troubleshoot for the agency.  In addition, Dana has taught several training courses, instructing new and current employees on the use of the program. Dana initially visited Career Development for resume assistance. Before becoming a full-time employee, Dana was an intern for the agency. When the full-time position became available, she met with career counselor Amy Bittner, who assisted her in updating and improving her resume. Dana then applied to the position with her revised resume and was later hired as a full-time employee.

"Students should visit the Career Development Center because it can help them improve in many ways.  Not only will they help you with your resume, they can serve as a resource to help students find jobs."

Caitlin Atkinson

Graduating: May 2012
Major: Advertising/Public Relations (Advertising)
            Digital Media (Design)
Internship: Make-A-Wish Foundation

After getting help from Career Development in preparing her resume, practicing for interviews and finding suitable internships, Caitlin got not just one, but two intern positions with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.  She works with the Marketing and Communications department, as well as with Fundraising and Special Events, designing and writing articles for a print newsletter, writing Wish stories used by marketing in newsletters to educate and increase referrals to organization, and writing press releases to distribute to media contacts.

“Amy helped me with interviewing questions to make me feel comfortable when I went to my interview. I felt very prepared and confident.”

Jamie Inferrera

Graduated: May 2010
Major: Journalism and Mass Communication
Minor: Dance
Employer: State Representative Daryl Matcalfe

After graduating from Point Park, Jamie became a Legislative Assistant for Pennsylvania State Representative Daryl Metcalfe. She now accompanies the State Representative to events and assists constituents with state-related issues, as well as helping coordinate media requests, develop social media and create press releases. She contacted Career Development in her sophomore year to get help with her resume, but she also learned important tips about how to conduct a successful and memorable interview and ultimately obtain a job.

“Career Development helped me to become a more competitive job candidate.”

Joshua Manculich

Graduated: May 2009
Major: Dance
Minor: Psychology
Employer: Thodos Dance Chicago

After graduating from Point Park, Josh landed a job with Thodos Dance Chicago, where he teaches, choreographs and performs with Thodos Dance Chicago. He not only tours in Chicago, but also nationally too! Josh choreographs Thodos dancers and Chicagoland dancers, which gives him the opportunity to have works selected into the performance repertoire. Being a former work-study of the Career Development Office, Josh was able to see and experience first hand the help that the office can provide.

“Career Development has taught me the importance of a single piece of paper reflecting the uniqueness of your personal path, talent and ambitions. To get that to reflect on a cover letter or resume is very important in the job hunting world.”  

Ashley Blum

Major: Broadcast Journalism '07
Employer:
The City of Pittsburgh Police Department
Clerical Specialist

Initially, Ashley visited the Career Development office to get help on fixing her resume. During her visit, she was guided on how to make her resume more effective and appealing to potential employers. She also completed personality tests that helped her assess what her strengths and weaknesses are and what would be a great career path for her.

"This really helped me to decide how I wanted to direct my career and ultimately led to my decision to go back to school and get my Master's Degree," Ashley said.

Currently, Ashley is attending the University of Pittsburgh for her Master's degree and works in the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Central Records and Reporting Unit.

"Career Development really helped me to discover my strengths and use those to my best advantage," Ashley said.

Students Shaquela Myrick, Marie Maullon, Kasey Freeman and Kalie Grove contributed to the development of this page.