Four William Paterson alumni who are pursuing careers in technology shared their insights and advice on how to navigate the job market during the College of Science and Health spring 2024 SHINE (Science & Health Industries Network for Excellence) event on campus in April.
The College of Science and Health launched SHINE in spring 2023 in collaboration with the Career Development Center, and the Office of Institutional Advancement to connect WP students with alumni in a variety of science and health fields. Previous panels have focused on careers in healthcare and the pharmaceutical industries.
Tom McGuire ’03, co-founder and chief technology officer of Bantam Technologies; Victoria Cardwell ’16, senior software engineer, Starburst Data; Gil Otero ’98, vice president of IT, Morgan Stanley; and Chris Rozewski, MBA ’17, senior vice president and director of data analytics at Kearny Bank, spoke to students about their various roles, their paths to a career in technology, and their advice to graduates seeking to enter the field.
McGuire, who was a math major at William Paterson, worked full-time in a job involving computers in order to pay for school. He landed a job with the National Security Administration, where met people with whom he has founded several businesses, including Bantam. He encouraged the students to be problem-solvers. “You want to be the solution,” he said. “That’s your opportunity to rise up. Get out of your comfort zone.”
Cardwell said she originally planned to study journalism, but a course in economics lead her on the path to a marketing degree. “I always had my eye out for the next opportunity,” she said. She currently works as a data engineer for a “unicorn startup” that builds data pipelines. “Technology skills matter,” she told the students. She urged the students to become involved in events such as hackathons or computer conferences where you can meet people and network.
Otero earned a degree in exercise physiology at William Paterson, where he also played soccer and was in the Spanish Club. A friend who was working in banking helped him land an interview at Morgan Stanley, where he has moved up the ladder during a 25-year career there. “Education will open up opportunities to things you don’t think you’ll do,” he said. “Be smart, be specific about your goals, and have an elevator speech—that’s a value.”
Rozewski earned his MBA at William Paterson while working in the University’s Department of Information Technology. A history major at Montclair State, he got his start as a student computer technician there as an undergraduate. Today, in his role at Kearny Bank, he does data analysis that helps the company make business decisions. “Think about who your competition is and look to stand out to a hiring manager,” he said. “As someone who hires people, I want to see determination. I want to see passion on your resume.”
“All these individuals were once in your seats, and are willing to transfer the knowledge they gained,” said Venkat Sharma, dean of the College of Science and Health. “This is an opportunity to hear how William Paterson gave them a springboard to their careers.”
William Paterson University
300 Pompton Road
Wayne, New Jersey 07470
973-720-2000
Stay Connected
