Shift and thrive: Alumni reveal the power of the career pivot

Photos by Lee Ferris

No matter how prepared graduates are, sometimes the transition from campus life to a full-time career isn’t a straight line. 

To bridge this gap, successful alumni recently returned to the Mount for a series of short, personal talks, hosted by the Center for Academic and Career Services (CACS). Alumni Perspectives: Expectation vs. Reality connected current students with seasoned professionals working on the front lines of global technology, behavioral health, logistics, and education.

The event brought together graduates from various decades to provide students with candid insights into professional life, career transitions, and the value of a Dominican education.

The program featured two “Fireside Chat” networking sessions, allowing students to engage directly with alumni working in fields ranging from global technology and behavioral health to education and logistics.

Alumni highlighted the critical role of campus involvement and the support of the college’s faculty and CACS. Kenneth Fusco ’14, MBA ’17, a board-certified behavior analyst, advised students to “get involved as much as possible,” on campus, citing his own time as an RA and class president as foundational to his success. 

A recurring theme throughout the day was the flexibility of a college degree and the openness to changing one’s career path. Robert Cuccureddu ’18, MBA ’22, now an account manager for Mallory Alexander, encouraged students to remain adaptable.

“Don’t be afraid to change your mind,” he said. “You know, you come in [to college] with this set plan of what you think your life is going to look like, and it’s okay if that changes. Just because you start as one thing doesn’t mean you have to stay that way.”

View the Alumni Perspectives: Expectations vs. Reality photo gallery.