Campbell Business alumni Amyah Wiley (’23), Gabrielle Cappola (’23) and Thomas Hartshorn (’19) recently returned to campus for a “Food for Thought” lunch and learn, where they shared insights on professional development with current business majors.
Their key advice? Build connections, take initiative and advocate for yourself.
The panel emphasized the importance of making the most of opportunities to gain experience and stand out in today’s competitive job market. Their real-world perspectives gave students valuable takeaways for making the most of college now and launching their careers after graduation.
Gabrielle Cappola, who now works as an account manager at TEKsystems, highlighted the importance of internships and encouraged students to find ways to set yourself apart through involvement and leadership in campus organizations. She left students to consider ways they can make a difference:
“Make sure you can tell others how you made an impact with your involvement. What did you actually do?”
Amyah Wiley, who now works in human resources, says that the shift from student to employee required her to take more initiative but she was prepared due to the experiences she had in the Campbell classroom and through professional development in college.
“In my opinion, what gets you from your chair (as students) to where I’m sitting, is connections and exploration,” shared Thomas Hartshorn, a Sr. Business Development Associate at State Affairs. Hartshorn encouraged students to prioritize relationships and networking, take time to understand yourself, and learn how to evaluate jobs, companies, and job offers.