Career Day 2019: Mayfield alums, incredible in so many ways, offer powerful advice

More than 30 accomplished, smart, driven, empathic, creative and strategicthinking Mayfield alumnae gathered on campus for Career Day 2019—and, yes, the superlatives are true!

During a school-wide event, our alums imparted honest and invaluable career advice to their younger Mayfield sisters. These professionals work as lawyers, entrepreneurs, scientists, psychologists, marketers, engineers, entertainers, doctors, healthcare services leaders and more.

At one point during the introductions, moderator Mary Michelena Monroe ’82 took a breath and said, “I’m reading these bios and these women are so incredible and have excelled in so many ways.”

Emily Monroe ’14, Mary Michelena Monroe ’82, Hannah Courtney ’08 and Julia Klein ’10 talk with students about legal careers.

Alums offered key tips. Network, they said—especially with us. Mayfield alums want to help young women succeed, particularly Mayfield students.

“It isn’t about getting a job or getting into college,” said Ms. Monroe. “It’s about making friends and developing relationships that can help you in the future.”

Follow your passions and soak up advice from those you trust. “Listen to the guidance of those around you, which is very, very valuable...Listen to your teachers,” said Giana Korth ’06, Sr. Director of Client Strategy at Meltwater, which develops and markets media monitoring and business intelligence software.

“It’s a combination of what you are passionate about and what you are really good at.”

She recalled a senior year conversation with her AP Calculus teacher, Melissa Tighe, Math Department Chair and Director of Innovation.

“She told me I was very good at math and there’s a huge opportunity for women to get into business,” said Ms. Korth, whose entrepreneurial spirit led her to cofound Tampon Tribe, an online company that delivers organic tampons and pads. “I headed off to Georgetown and went to their business school.”

Explore, alums said. You never know where it will lead you.

Katie Clancy ’11, Lauren Morales ’11, Alex Ciranna ’11, Katie Lapsys ’05, Peggy Eyler Legault ’74 and Tina Karamanoukian Shabanian ’81 speak to students about medical and healthcare career opportunities.

“Healthcare has always been my passion,” said Tina Karamanoukian Shabanian ’81, Regional Health Plan Officer for Southern California at Health Net of California. “I started off pre-med, biology. But in college I started to see other avenues and explored the various opportunities in healthcare.”

Be aggressive, yet kind. Don’t burn bridges. There is no substitute for hard work. Go above and beyond. Your reputation is your greatest asset. And never underestimate the power of a handwritten thank you note.

Many alums said they can mark the moment that sparked transformation at Mayfield.

“I have a particular memory of Cornelia Connelly Day,” said Vicki Chiang ’96, explaining that she served at a domestic violence shelter for women and children called House of Ruth. “I remember being in a playroom for children. That was my very first tug. I thought social service is a place I want to be.”

Dr. Chiang is a psychologist and clinical director at the Institute for Girls’ Development, specializing in childhood and adolescence. The institute shares a goal she first experienced at Mayfield. We “empower girls for life,” she said.

Listen to the guidance of those around you, which is very, very valuable ...Listen to your teachers.

— GIANA KORTH ’06