Alumni Return to Parker for Career Day

Fifty alumni from six decades and several industries returned to campus last week for Career Day, an all-day event for Upper School students to hear from alumni about their professional lives. From healthcare and STEM to law and marketing, alumni in all stages of their careers offered advice and answered questions from students.

Panelists in the Engineering, Science and Technology group were honest about the difficulties of the STEM fields, but also acknowledged the rewards. “STEM is a great place to be,” Kevin Moss ’05 said. “You can do anything you want to do.”

Several panelists instilled the idea that it is okay for students to change their minds about what they hope to do and calmed those who may not know just yet. “Your life is long, and the journey is long,” noted Rachel Vorwaller ’09. “You can always go back to school later. Pursue what makes you happy.”

Many panelists spoke highly of the careers they chose to pursue. Several credited Parker with teaching them the skills to get there. “Parker really taught me how to speak with people, think outside the box, how to be a people person and think analytically,” said Jonathan Schatz ’99.

On the Marketing and Public Relations panel, Cameron Friedlander ’93 stated, “Parker gave me the confidence to take on anything, which is why I send my kids here.” Catherine Merritt ’99 added, “Parker taught me to be curious, ask questions and be a critical thinker. I’m better because of it.”

Parker is proud of all its alumni and the accomplishments in their lives after Parker. As the school’s mission states, Parker treasures the way alumni come to know one another through their work and studies, empowering each individual and the community with hope and possibility. The connections and insights from Career Day will help propel current students to follow in alumni’s footsteps as they figure out their passions in the future.

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