“Being a Cabrini alumni does not just mean that a student graduated from Cabrini. It means that they will have a lifetime worth of connections,” a Cabrini alumnus said to a group of senior communication majors.
“If you’re really passionate about something, don’t let go of it. You never know when an opportunity will come up in the future,” said Jake Verterano, a graduate from the Cabrini communication department.
Verterano is not just a Cabrini alumnus. He is the vice president of marketing at Prosthodontics Intermedica Dental Implant Center, a video talent, audio host and reporter at Diva Dirt and one of the youngest members of Cabrini’s Alumni Board.
Verterano came back to his Alma Mater to address the senior professional development class and provide some insight to the soon-to-be graduates. He educated the students about different ways to stay involved after graduation, including programs such as alumni mentoring, spirit committee and alumni weekend.
He, alongside alumni Jill Smith and Nick Guldin, also answered students’ questions about their life after college.
Senior communication major Alexa Milano felt that hearing the graduates’ experiences first-hand was very helpful.
“It was nice hearing three different things,” Milano said. “Jill wasn’t working for a year and had a good outlook until getting a job. Nick went to grad school and Jake got a job or internship after school. It was nice hearing that whatever happens after graduation, all of the alumni ended up doing something that they really enjoy.”
“I wanted to come back to speak to seniors about their future because I understand what it was like to be in their position a few years ago,” Verterano said. “I know Cabrini gave me a lot so I wanted to do what I could do to give back to the students.”
Verterano is a graduate of the class of 2010 and was very involved in the communication department, from being the first anchor for LOQation News to being the arts and entertainment editor for Loquitur.
“At Cabrini, you’re more than just a number,” Verterano said. “You really have those opportunities to stand out and get ahead and that ended up being very impressive to employers at job interviews.”
Guldin, a graduate from the class of 2012, is currently the coordinator for alumni engagement and development. He decided to initiate this event through the Alumni Office and the Cabrini Alumni Board Student Engagement Committee. Cabrini currently has a network of over 16,000 undergraduate and graduate alumni.
“It’s important that we get into classrooms and talk to seniors about what it means to be a Cabrini alumni and the benefits that come along with it,” Guldin said.
What’s one piece of advice that Verterano would give to the soon-to-be-graduates?
“Pick a job that you know that you are going to learn and grow more. Don’t ever get too comfortable,” Verterano said. “Everything is always changing, especially in this field. Keep your mind open to new knowledge and keep your skills sharpened.”
