Opportunities & Resources for Recent Graduates
More than 20,000 Smeal alumni have graduated in the last ten years. Learn about ways that Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD) can stay in touch, volunteer with the college, network with other alumni, take advantage of Alumni Career Services, and make a difference philanthropically.
Ways to Engage
- Join the Penn State Alumni Association; learn about benefits & help support student and alumni programs
- Update your contact information with Penn State so we can keep in touch with news and opportunities
- Download the Tassl app to stay connected with friends and see events in your area
- Attend an event in person or online
- Join a Smeal Alumni Club or Penn State Alumni Association Group to network with other alumni
- Be a Mentor to current Smeal students or join LionLink to give or receive advice from alumni & students
- Take advantage of Smeal Alumni Career Services
- Show your support philanthropically - together, we can make a big difference!
- Volunteer for the Smeal GOLD Initiative and assist the Alumni Relations team and the Smeal Alumni Society Board with strategy related to recent graduate engagement. Contact Jennifer Crispell, Director of Alumni Relations for more information.
Recent Graduate Spotlight
Samantha Ferro '18 Marketing
Business Transformation Consultant, IBM
What is your favorite Penn State or Smeal memory as a student? What about as a recent graduate?
My favorite memory as a Smeal Student was being President of the Penn State Marketing Association and winning the International Chapter of the Year Award during the 2018 AMAICC in New Orleans. On the other hand, my favorite memory as a recent graduate has been singing the Alma Mater with my graduating class during Smeal’s Commencement ceremony.
What piece of advice do you have for other recent graduates?
A piece of advice that I’d like to give to other recent graduates would to find a way to approach every task with passion, as there is always something you can learn from any job you complete, no matter how much or how little relevance you believe it has to your end goal.
What is the most important thing you learned during your time in Smeal?
The most important thing that I’ve learned during my time in Smeal is that you pave your own path in life and to only focus on your own goals and aspirations, because there is no use in comparing yourself to others since there are multiple ways to arrive at any destination.
Katie Mailey '16 Masters of Accounting
Consultant, Deloitte Consulting
What is your favorite Penn State or Smeal memory as a student? What about as a recent graduate?
My time at Penn State is highlighted by my involvement in THON, and my favorite Penn State memory is the last line dance of THON 2016. My favorite Smeal memory are recruiting events for Alpha Kappa Psi when I was an uppperclassman, because I loved seeing the enthusiasm of new freshmen. My favorite recent grad memory is attending the Rose Bowl in 2017!
What piece of advice do you have for other recent graduates?
Work hard and don't be afraid to jump in and say "YES"! Penn Staters stand out for our hard work ethic
What is the most important thing you learned during your time in Smeal?
While the skills that I learned in classes are important, the problem-solving and self-starter skills that I learned outside of the class have taught me more for my career. I have the confidence from Penn State to know that I can overcome obstacles, and am not afraid to try (with the possibility of failing).