March 27, 2006
EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - Lafayette student Vanessa Youngs of Mt. Vernon gained first-hand knowledge of human resources and finance at the international accounting and consulting firm Ernst & Young. A three-year letterwinner in track, Youngs is aiming to better her 2005 appearance in the finals at the Patriot League Championships in the 100m. She was also a member of the 4x100m relay team that scored at the league meet.
Diversity Recruiting Consultant Gioia Pisano '90 served as her host at the firm's Iselin, N.J. location, allowing the sophomore to attend several recruitment strategy meetings, including a teleconference with the firm's global recruiting group in London. Pisano also discussed a typical day, which involves collaborating with her team, and explained the various computer programs she uses.
Youngs was among more than 275 Lafayette students who served externships with alumni and other experienced professionals in the business, arts, education, healthcare, law, engineering, science, government, and nonprofits. She shadowed the professionals at their workplaces, learning about careers she may consider entering after college, developing professional networking contacts, and building her resume.
In addition, Pisano introduced her to audit and tax professionals in the firm.
"Knowing that you're there for such a limited amount of time, you should make the most of the experience. Gioia did a really good job with that," says Youngs, an anthropology & sociology major with a minor in economics & business. "Also, I think the fact that she is a woman in the corporate world was helpful. [I was] able to ask her certain questions about how she was managing a family and work."
Youngs applied for an externship to learn about what career opportunities are available to her. She was particularly interested in shadowing Pisano to see how she was using her double major in anthropology & sociology and economics & business.
Pleased with her experience, Youngs realized that human resources might not be the field for her, but working for a company like Ernst & Young, with its comfortable work environment, might be right up her alley.
"I would push for more students to apply," says Youngs. "Lafayette does a really good job offering a different range [of externships]. I was able to list four priorities as a sociology major." As a senior in college, Pisano was undecided about her career. By offering this externship, she hoped to provide a chance to be more prepared for the job market.
Hosting Youngs and Huong Nguyen, a fellow student from Vietnam, was Pisano's first externship experience, but certainly not her last.
"I am impressed with Lafayette's efforts in diversity and look forward to working with [the College] in ways that will help promote the many career opportunities for talented students," says Pisano.
As a recruiter, Pisano was also excited for the chance to meet potential Ernst & Young employees.
"The externship program is a great way to identify talented students for our Master's of Accountancy program at the University of Virginia and the University of Notre Dame," she says. "We have had 10 students over the past few years participate in the program and they have gone on to do well at the firm."
After graduating, Youngs plans to attend law school. She is a third-year sprinter for the track and field team, secretary for the Nia women's support group, and a member of Students for Social Justice.
