By Celina Dietzel

Knox College juniors and seniors gained valuable professional experience during mock interviews with Knox alumni on October 13. The event, hosted by the Bastian Family Career Center, was followed by a networking reception open to all Knox students where they had a chance to further connect with alumni.

After graduating from Knox next year, Doja Aofolajuwonlo '17 would like to spend some time working before she goes to medical school. She was initially nervous about her interview with scientist Trey Morrison '96. "I've never done this kind of professional thing before," she said, but felt that the conversation went smoothly.

Clare Colt '17, a self-designed business communications major, said her interests matched well with her interviewer, Greg Lardi ‘02, who works in lending at Wells Fargo.

"I'm interested in doing something client-based, so this was right up my alley," she said.

She also appreciated the advice Lardi offered after the interview, which was to highlight positions on her resume that show she has relevant experience.

"I liked getting the feedback, and it helped get the nerves out of the way," she said.

Interviewer and Alumni Council member Eric Langston ‘07 is a business analyst consultant who has recently been hired at an international law firm. He decided to help with the mock interviews as a way to give back to Knox.

"Interviewing is a chance to experience a different type of communication, and it gives the students the opportunity to practice that," he said.

The mock interviews and networking reception are experiences that will prepare students for the fourth annual Career iMPACT Summit, a two-day workshop at the end of fall term where students gain skills that will have a positive impact on their careers.

The following alumni took part in the mock interviews and networking event:

Valerie Blevins '86, Staff Paralegal
Kara Downin '02, Resource Conservationist
Mary Myers Fasbender '71 and Brian Tibbets '96, Teachers
Marty Glickman '80, Post-Grad Program, Financial Representative
Maurice Harris '08, Economic Development Analyst
John Heyer '68, Production Engineering; Product Scheduling; Quality Control [Manufacturing]
Eric Langston '07, Business Analyst Consultant
Greg Lardi '02, Business Relationship Manager
Karen Lutgens MacKenzie '95, Human Resources Representative
Joe Moore '80, Policy Analyst
Trey Morrison '96, Scientist, Chemical Regulation and Food Safety
Diane Newell '85, Digital Communications Specialist
Megan Roth '96, Project Assistant [Law]
Julie Scannell '81, Operations Associate
John Straus '73, Business Development Associate
Steve Walton '74, Athletic Director
Chris Eik Winick '73, Human Services Caseworker