Alumni Share Their Real-World Experiences With Students

Three alumni represented the Jepson School at the fifth annual Real World Student-Alumni Career Networking Program held February 10-11. Maurice Henderson (’97), Elizabeth Ream (’96) and Juletta Tyson (’95) discussed their respective careers and post-graduation experiences with undergraduates anxious to learn about what opportunities lie ahead after they leave “the bubble.”

Henderson shared details of his job as a national communications specialist for the United Steelworkers Union. Ream, the executive director of the Virginia Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs, told students about the challenges of managing the state legislative and state funding efforts in support of a large nonprofit organization. And Tyson, an in-house trainer for the workers compensation unit of St. Paul’s Travelers Insurance Agency, offered a perspective on working for a for-profit corporation. 

The Jepson Student Government (JSGA) sponsored two “real world” events of its own this year. In the fall, JSGA brought two alumni living in New York City to campus to speak to students about how their leadership studies majors have helped them in their careers. Julee Wilson (’04) discussed her career as an editorial assistant for the magazine Real Simple. Tara Messmore (’97), an independent freelance stage manager who has worked on shows for NBC, MTV, ESPN and E!, told students that the group work she did as a Jepson student provided invaluable training for her current line of work where everything is a group project.  

Students responded so enthusiastically to the first “Jepson in the Real World” event that JSGA decided to host a second event on March 1. Aaron Heffron (’94), the director of public-sector research for Market Connections, Inc., told students about the market research and analysis his firm conducts to help government, high tech and nonprofit organizations improve their bottom lines. Victoria Cobb (’00), executive director of The Family Foundation of Virginia, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and upholding traditional family values, discussed her lobbying efforts before the Virginia General Assembly as well as the grant writing and fundraising aspects of her job.  

Two thoughts come to mind based on this year’s real-world alumni presentations: First, the diverse careers of the presenters highlight the broad appeal and applicability of a leadership studies degree. Second, alumni serve as an invaluable resource for current students as they investigate career options. 

Students and faculty appreciate the assistance alumni provide in so many ways. If you would like to work with current students, either as a mentor, a visitor or an internship supervisor, please contact Teresa Williams at twillia8@richmond.edu.