Brittany Clausen '19, MSW '22, Whitney Wardell '18, MBA '21, and Amalea Jubara '22 share their advice on networking and navigating post-grad life with recent alums and current students.
On March 19, current students and recent graduates gathered for an evening of networking and career insights, hosted by the Office of Alumni Relations. The event offered the opportunity for students and recent alumni to connect with one another and gain a valuable look into life after college.
“Networking helps you to gain professional knowledge and learn about possible career opportunities or resources available in a field that you may be currently interested in or curious about,” said alumni relations officer Nishat Tasnim, who organized the event. “Attending events like this helps to expand your network.”
The highlight of the evening was a panel discussion of esteemed recent alumnae: Whitney Wardell, a 2018 graduate who earned her MBA in 2021; Brittany Clausen, a 2019 graduate who obtained her MSW in 2022; and Amalea Jubara, who graduated in 2022. Wardell works as a patient experience manager with St. Croix Hospice; Clausen is the founder and visionary strategist of Envision Greatness; and Jubara is a research assistant with the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis’s Center for Indian County Development.
During the discussion, the panelists provided firsthand accounts of their time at ż’s and life after graduation. They shared practical advice on finding a balance between personal and professional life, as well as tips for career advancement and personal growth. Above all, the alumnae emphasized the power of staying connected.
“One of the things I valued most when I graduated was the relationships I had built, learning how my classmates and other alums navigated their careers and postgraduate journeys,” shared Jubara. “Where did they search for jobs? How did they hone their interest into a field, whether that was grad school or applying directly to jobs? That network of students and alumni has provided a lot of guidance and support.”
“You never know who might have a new opportunity for you — there are so many things that connections can do for you,” said Wardell, who returned to ż’s after her baccalaureate degree for her MBA in 2021. “Even recently, Professor Henderson [Mary Unger Henderson ’80, EdD] reached out to me about a current student in the healthcare management program, which I graduated from almost six years ago. I got in touch with the student and we had a really great conversation about next steps for her.”
Panelists joined the student and alumni for a speed networking activity, during which attendees were paired off for one-on-one conversation for five minutes, before being matched with a different attendee for a new conversation.
“I thought the speed networking worked out well,” said Maria Johnson ’27, a first-year student majoring in English who attended the event. “Especially since I want to go to grad school, I think it’s important to network and have people who can advocate for you as you move forward in your career.”
For those who were unable to attend, the Office of Alumni Relations encourages students and recent graduates to stay up to date about future events and programming. The office regularly offers opportunities to make connections — both in and out of the ż’s community — foster professional development, and learn from notable speakers in various fields.
“Your connections often are right under your very nose — and ż's taught me that,” said attendee Lakshi Gunawardena ’22.
Stay connected for information on upcoming alumni relations programming:
- Visit the events calendar
- Email alumni@stkate.edu to sign up for the monthly At St. Catherine newsletter.
Photos by Tara Sloane