ALUMNI NETWORKING ON
CAMPUS
RCDS is working to build a strong network for its alumni as they progress in their careers and consider opportunities after college. In January, following a reception for alumni and faculty in the Athletic Center, members of the Class of 2017 met with young alumni to discuss life in college and beyond. The seniors asked thoughtful questions, and the panelists emphasized that their successes at college have depended on an open mind and willingness to adapt. Most revealed that the major they had anticipated choosing before going to college changed because of other opportunities that arose. This event is one of many opportunities the seniors will have to network with RCDS alumni. As graduates they will be able to access the RCDS LinkedIn group of over 625 members, as well as use the new platform, RCDS Alumni Advisor Network, to ask fellow alumni for resume critiques and mock interviews. Young alumni panelists included: Donald Kyle ’81, Moderator, RCDS Upper School Dean; Alexandra Boillot ’08, Program Director, CitySquash; Christine Cunningham ’11, Cyber Systems Assessment Group/Asst. Staff Member, MIT/Lincoln Lab; Vanessa Jackson ’05, Associate/Corporate Group, Davis, Polk & Wardwell; John Paschall ’10, Sport Producer, NBC Sports; Hamill Serrant ’04, VP/Portfolio
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Spring / Summer 2017
& Algorithmic Trading, Sanford C. Bernstein; Michael Stewart ’09, High School Social Studies Teacher, Bronx Arena High School; and Ben Yelsey ’07, Senior Software Engineer, SeamlessDocs. On the same evening, an alumni panel open to college graduates and older met in the PAC to discuss career moves within their fields, how changes in technology and social media have impacted their industries, networking strategies, and what factors to consider when thinking about a career change. Alumni participating included: Jonathan Banner ’85, Moderator, Executive VP/Communications, PepsiCo; H. Robertson Barrett ’84, President of Digital Media, Hearst; Dr. Veronique Toyloy Brinson ’93 Internist, Montefiore Medical Group; Charles Fields ’88, Deputy Secretary for Business & Licensing, New York State Department of State; Sarah Gillman ’82, Chief Financial Officer, Children’s Aid Society; Nancy Miller ’86, Director & Associate General Counsel, TIAA Global Asset Management; Jonathan Rosenshine ’88, Associate Head of School, The Windward School; and Scott Weiss ’96, Director of Equity Sales, Barclays Capital.