Alum Brings Networking Success to Students

For Patrick Anderson ’09, networking has always been part of his professional success; It is a skill he developed as a student, honed as a professional, and now passes on to fellow Huskies.

Anderson credits his involvement on campus outside of classes with much of his early networking success. ;As a student worker and a member of several student organizations, including intramural sports teams, Anderson found opportunities to gain confidence, practice his communication skills, and connect with fellow students and new grads from all different majors. He also recognized early that connections would be the key to finding work in his home region of Pennsylvania.

“I learned that finding successful professionals outside of my own discipline could mean that they knew key local contacts within my field of study,” explained Anderson.

Once he found his first position, Anderson kept building his network and benefitted from their wisdom and mentorship in moving up within the company and building his resume with new opportunities. Now the Senior Director of Engineering & Operations for Citizens' Electric Company, Anderson says he never hesitates to strike up a new conversation with fellow professionals, either in or outside of his industry.

Those fellow professionals also include current Bloomsburg students and the fellow alumni volunteers who are on hand to share their wisdom. Anderson has been volunteering at COHST Pathways as a presenter and panelist for the last decade, and has been sharing his Bloomsburg experience with prospective students even longer. Over the years, he has met many science and technology students who need the same network foundation he did 15 years ago. He says that his most memorable experiences have been with students who are somewhat reluctant to move outside their comfort zone to attend the event and network with alumni. Those moments, Anderson says, tend to be pivotal for the students.

“After asking questions, I learned how ambitious and dedicated they were to their studies,” recalled Anderson. “I felt that the interaction helped them find a direction and look into specific fields that met their personal interests. This event is special to me because of the close interactions with students about their options that shape where they want to go and how they can succeed.”

Such interactions remain part of Anderson’s professional ethos and he plans to continue as an alumni volunteer. He encourages other Huskies to get involved.

“I believe there are more alumni volunteers out there who would find it as enjoyable as I do to meet with students and learn about the experiences of other alumni.”