Volunteer of the Month: Andy McNeal '22/'23M
Bloomsburg
Posted
Andrew McNeal '22/’23MA may not be very far removed from his days as a student, but his experiences are as valuable as any seasoned professional, and are accented by his enthusiasm.
McNeal, who worked as a graduate assistant for ZIPD while working on his MBA, understood the impact of events like the Zeigler Institute for Professional Development (ZIPD) Conference where he served as an alumni panelist, and the Career Intensive Boot Camp (CIBC), where he volunteered as a mock interviewer. Having been on the student side of such valuable interactions, McNeal was grateful for the opportunity to give back to future generations of students.
"It was great to see how well the students transitioned between softer questions and more technical ones," explained McNeal. "They were able to connect conversations and were engaging in the questions they asked."
McNeal said he was pleasantly surprised that not only did conducting mock interviews help students’ skillset, but it helped him sharpen his own.
"I have not had the opportunity to be part of a hiring team yet, but the experience in the mock interview helped me to work on my own skills as well."
Such a high level of preparation was reminiscent of McNeal’s experience as a Supply Chain/ITA major. He recalled having an excellent foundation for his career, but initially struggled with the process of deciding on a good fit from prospective employers. He eventually chose the Milton Area School District, where he now serves as an IT Manager, and has the same confidence in the Class of 2025.
"These students are prepared for the workforce and have the skills necessary to be successful", said McNeal. "Commonwealth University provides quality instruction, both in and out of the classroom."
McNeal highly recommends the volunteer experience.
"Not only are you doing a great service to these students by sharing your experience and expertise, but you are also building a greater alumni network of which we are a part."
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