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How can college students stand out in today's competitive job market? What do employers look for in new graduates? And when is the right time to pursue an advanced degree?
These were among the questions addressed by four accomplished alumni of William Paterson University’s Cotsakos College of Business during Building a Meaningful Career, a panel discussion presented October 7. Approximately 140 people, primarily business students, attended the event, which offered practical insights into launching careers, building professional relationships, and navigating an evolving workplace.
The discussion featured alumni panelists Justin Black '03, executive vice president and chief transformation officer at Valley Bank; Tasha Forrester '16, MBA '18, enterprise digital technology PMO director at Stryker; and Maria Rollins '91, managing partner at KRS CPAs. Fellow alumnus Matthew Prail '05, chief human resources officer at PIM Brands, moderated the discussion. Collectively, the panelists represent more than three decades of Cotsakos College of Business graduates, and each pointed to experiences at William Paterson that set their careers in motion.
For Forrester, the connection between a William Paterson education and the workplace was particularly direct. While pursuing her MBA at the University and working at Stryker, she frequently encountered situations on the job that reflected concepts being discussed in her classes. Her experience underscored a theme that emerged throughout the panel discussion: the value of applying classroom learning to real-world professional challenges, while continuing to develop the skills and relationships that support career growth.
The event was among the many offerings of the Cotsakos College of Business's Professional Enrichment (PE) Program, a co-curricular requirement for business majors designed to strengthen career readiness through interactions with business leaders, networking opportunities, professional development activities, and other experiences that connect classroom learning with the workplace.
Anthony Bowrin, dean of the Cotsakos College of Business, welcomed attendees and encouraged students “to pay close attention to not only what they achieved but how they achieved it … the importance of trust, accountability, professional relationships, continuous learning, and resilience.”
When a student asked what graduating seniors should prioritize as they enter the workforce, Black, who earned a bachelor's degree in business administration at William Paterson, encouraged them to focus on demonstrating qualities that employers cannot necessarily teach, such as initiative, adaptability, and a willingness to learn.
He explained that employers do not expect recent graduates to arrive knowing their companies' systems and processes. Instead, they invest in new employees with the expectation that they will learn quickly and apply their knowledge effectively.
"Show me the intangibles that I can't teach you," advised Black, who also serves on the Cotsakos College of Business Advisory and Advancement Council.
He encouraged students to distinguish themselves through examples from college or internships of special projects, unique skills, and the ability to adapt to new technologies, including artificial intelligence.
Forrester, who earned both a bachelor's degree in finance and an MBA at William Paterson, also discussed the importance of AI, encouraging students to become familiar with available tools and explore how they can improve workplace efficiency. As organizations increasingly seek ways to streamline operations, she noted, the ability to use emerging technology effectively can be a valuable professional skill.
Forrester emphasized that finding a job involves more than submitting applications. She urged students to attend campus career fairs and professional networking events, introduce themselves to prospective employers, and maintain those relationships after the events conclude. She encouraged students to follow up with contacts about positions that interest them and ask whether their skills align with available opportunities.
Drawing on her experience with a position that attracted approximately 1,000 applications, Forrester underscored the importance of building relationships that help candidates become more than another résumé.
She also encouraged students to make effective use of LinkedIn, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a professional presence, engaging with others on the platform, and taking advantage of resources such as LinkedIn Learning to continue developing their skills.
Rollins, who earned a bachelor's degree in accounting at William Paterson, highlighted internships as another important pathway into the workforce, explaining that her accounting firm gives priority to its interns when making employment offers.
The Cotsakos College of Business also helps students make connections with prospective employers through initiatives such as its annual Meet the Firms networking event, which brings together students in accounting, finance, and related business majors with industry recruiters, alumni, and employers to explore internship and career opportunities.
All of the alumni stressed the importance of mentors and mentoring to building successful careers. Rollins, for one, credited an informal mentor with helping her sharpen her technical skills and learning the firm’s culture.
Reflecting on the importance of mentorship as it relates to college, Prail, who earned a bachelor's degree in business administration and marketing at William Paterson, credited management professor Stephen Betts with helping him establish a student chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), an experience that led to his involvement with local professional HR chapters and eventually to chairing a statewide HR conference. Reflecting on Betts's influence on his career path, Prail joked, "My career was a little bit his fault."
Students in the audience also asked whether they should pursue graduate education immediately after earning a bachelor's degree or first gain professional experience.
Several panelists described the benefits of working before returning to school, including the opportunity to apply classroom learning to real-world business challenges and take advantage of employer tuition assistance. Forrester, Rollins, and Prail all earned master's degrees paid for by their employers.
Rollins recalled bringing actual client tax issues into the classroom, allowing her to connect academic concepts with profession.
Black, whose career has spanned finance, risk management, marketing, organizational transformation, and talent management, encouraged students to recognize that professional growth does not always follow a traditional upward trajectory.
"Some of the best decisions [I made were] moving laterally across the organization, not trying to take the boss's job," he said. "What you find is that, sometimes, lateral movement is as important as any promotion." Taking on unfamiliar roles and responsibilities, he explained, can provide valuable opportunities to develop new skills, gain broader organizational knowledge, and distinguish oneself professionally. "Being uncomfortable is where you grow, where you get to stand out, where the most memorable parts of your career will occur."
Overall, the discussion reflected the value of connecting current students with alumni whose experiences demonstrate the many paths a business career can take.
Cotsakos College of Business students or alumni who are interested in learning more about the College’s Professional Enrichment program, including a detailed schedule of events for this academic year, may email program director Despina Martinez at martinezd23@wpunj.edu.
