Volunteer spotlight: Career event leads to student-alumni connection

By Steve Seepersaud

Gilad Gamliel '14 had never attended a networking event before Metro Career Night in January. The Alumni Association and Career Development Center sponsor the annual event in Manhattan to bring students together with alumni working in a variety of fields.

"I figured I'd go to a networking event run by the school because the alumni would want to help the students," Gamliel said.

The English major from Merrick, N.Y., met several alumni that night and enjoyed learning about different careers. After the event, he followed up with the alumni and formed a connection with Sheri Askinazi '99, global alumni program manager for the law firm Shearman & Sterling LLP.

"Everyone I met was very nice and interested in learning more about what I do," Askinazi said. "But, Gilad stood out to me. He was extremely articulate and you could tell, in an unassuming way, that he was really bright. I gave him my business card and, of all the students I met that night, he was one of only two to contact me afterward."

Askinazi says she made it her mission to help Gamliel find a summer internship. With so many students applying for internships, this would be a challenge. That's why personal connections are so important. After making a number of phone calls and sending e-mails, Askinazi got Gamliel an interview at her former employer, Columbia Business School.

"We got lucky with Columbia," Askinazi says. "My old boss there was willing to hire him based on a phone interview."

Gamliel says the internship at Columbia is going well, and that he enjoys the administrative work, event planning and opportunities to meet other professionals in higher education.

"I'm thankful to the alumni office for hosting Metro Career Night," he says. "Sheri has been one of the most helpful and professional people I've ever met."

This wasn't the first time she helped a member of the Binghamton University community. Just after she graduated, Alison Hoffer '08 reached out to Askinazi via Facebook to ask a few questions about careers and networking. They met for lunch and Askinazi helped Hoffer find a job, at which she worked while attending graduate school. Hoffer is now an individual giving officer for New York University, and was one of nearly 80 alumni who volunteered at Metro Career Night this year.

"Sheri and I were in the same sorority; Alpha Phi," Hoffer says. "Although we attended Binghamton University at different points in our lives, we shared this connection. When I asked Sheri how I could thank her for helping me, she said to help a student who reaches out like I did. Metro Career Night was my first official experience helping Binghamton students but I have passed on career opportunities to Binghamton students and have reviewed resumes as well. I look forward to being more involved at these University-organized events."

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