The connections one makes even in a small town like Bradford can
impact career success in the future. That was the message four
alumni of the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford shared with
university students Friday at a career networking symposium.
“The best advice I can give you is to network,” said Allison
Barhight Kunkel, assistant athletic trainer at York College and
2001 graduate of Pitt-Bradford.
“I was in your seats about six years ago,” she said, “with the
world wide open and not sure where to go.”
With the help of the faculty and staff and Pitt-Bradford, she
pursued a career in what she really wanted to do – be an athletic
trainer. “These are the people now who are setting the foundation
for you later,” she said of the people at the university.
When she entered the profession, she began to get to know her
patients, to make a positive impression. And one of her patients
ended up being her connection to a job with the Pittsburgh
Pirates.
Panelist Bart Moody, a 1986 graduate of Pitt-Bradford, spoke
about his career in the field of aviation – but his degree is in
geology. He had taken some flying lessons from local pilot Ray
Lewis, who worked for Chautauqua Airlines at the time, while he
pursued careers first with the Boy Scouts and later with the
Federal Bureau of Prisons.
His interest in aviation stayed with him, so with the support of
his family, he went to a community college in Beaver Falls to learn
pilot training.
He now is a captain and pilot with Chautauqua Airlines.
“Don’t burn any bridges behind you,” he said, explaining the
connections made at one point in life may be relevant later on.
Panelist David Kindervater, a 1991 graduate with a degree in
public relations, spoke about his career as the Web master at
Chautauqua Institution and as owner and editor of BIGPLAY
Football.
He explained he started out college as a business major.
“Just because your major might be in a box, doesn’t mean you
can’t wander outside that box and go where your heart might be
leading you,” he said.
The last panelist was Dani Brien, 2005 graduate with a degree in
communications, who works as a case manager with Beacon Light
Behavioral Health Systems.
“To me, I can’t do something if I don’t love it,” she said. In
her job, she works as a liaison between Beacon Light and other
agencies, such as child protective agencies and juvenile probation
departments.
And while her work might not be in the field of communications,
she uses her communicating abilities to succeed in her field, she
said.
“You’re forever growing, forever changing. Step out of your own
box,” Brien said.
The symposium was moderated by Sharon Vogt Knouse, a 1988 alumna
who works as a physical therapist.
Friday’s luncheon was the first event of Pitt-Bradford’s alumni
weekend.
Events for today that are open to the public are as follows:
* Athletic Hall of Fame Induction ceremony at 9:30 a.m. in the
Sport and Fitness Center;
* Family Fun including photo snow globes, glass etching, Lester
the Clown and other arts and crafts from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the
Frame-Westerberg Commons and in the Dr. Robert B. Bromeley
Quadrangle;
* The Friends of Hanley Library annual book sale from 11 a.m. to
3 p.m. at the library;
* Campus Luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in KOA Dining Room
in the Frame-Westerberg Commons;
* Tailgate party and Pitt-Bradford men’s and women’s soccer
games from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Kessel Athletic Complex; and
* World-renowned mentalists Jeff and Tessa Evason at 7 p.m. in
the Bromeley Family Theater in Blaisdell Hall.
