Alumni Office Hosts Career Day for Upperclassmen
On February 15, Avon’s Alumni Office welcomed 25 accomplished alumni back to campus for a special Career Day event designed to connect juniors and seniors with professionals across a variety of industries.
The day began at 9 a.m. as students and alumni gathered for a reception in The Commons, where a light breakfast provided a welcoming atmosphere for casual introductions.
Afterward, students assembled in Brown Auditorium for the official welcome and an alumni panel presentation. This session allowed students to hear firsthand about the career journeys of distinguished graduates and gain insight into different professional paths. The panel was made up of Mike Lech ’88, P’23, Joshua Bruff ’01, Chris Drew ’85, P’17, ’18, and Aaron Aryee ’14, and was moderated by current vice warden Teddy Lister ’25. Questions for the panel came from a survey students had filled out prior. The questions ranged from how to stay ahead in your industry to what was their favorite Avon memory.
There were a few themes that were unanimously agreed upon by all members of the panel. The first was that it’s okay to not have it all figured out now. “Very few people have a straight career path. That’s how it was for me,” Chris Drew said. “We want to encourage you to try a lot of things.” Another answer that all panelists agreed on was the effectiveness of holding true to your values and not faking who you are to get ahead. “Always be your authentic self,” Mike Lech said. “That’s one of the most important life lessons.” The final theme all panelists agreed upon was the effectiveness of the Avon Brotherhood.
Following the panel, students transitioned to a career meet-and-greet session. This interactive segment provided an opportunity for one-on-one and small-group conversations, allowing students to ask questions, seek advice, and begin building professional connections with alumni in fields such as finance, medicine, technology, entrepreneurship, and more.
This portion of the event was a great opportunity for students to learn more about careers they’re interested in. That was the case for senior Cooper Smith ’25 who shared, “I’m not really sure what I want to do, but I know I’m interested in law, so this was really helpful talking to these guys. They recommended I do some shadowing in law offices or courthouses to get more exposed to it.”
Even for students who plan to pursue a career that wasn’t represented by one of the alumni, it was a chance to practice networking and collect general advice. “I can definitely take traits from all of these guys,” Jack Talbot ’26 said of the alumni in attendance. “Networking, asking questions, creating interpersonal connections with people you work with, these are all things these guys learned at Avon. I thought this event was really cool.”
Attendees then moved to the refectory for lunch, where discussions continued in a more informal setting. The event concluded with a “Next Steps” discussion led by Andrew Corrigan ’98, Vice President of Engagement for the Alumni Council, who offered guidance on how students can take advantage of Avon’s extensive alumni network as they plan their futures. Corrigan said he was just as impressed with the students as they were with him and his fellow alumni. “I remember being on the student council, and the thought of starting a conversation with adults unsolicited was terrifying,” Corrigan said. “I’m really impressed.”
This event was a testament to the strong bonds within the Avon Old Farms community, providing current students with valuable mentorship and insight as they prepare for life beyond Mrs. Riddle’s Village.