Knox College student Abdulsalam Oganla '16 plans on a career in international business someday. When he learned of an opportunity to participate in a mock job interview with longtime international businessman Gary Moses '65, Oganla eagerly took it.

"I was able to see what it is like to have my first official interview. We had a really good chat," said Oganla, an economics major from Lagos, Nigeria.

The conversation caused Oganla to undergo what he called "a paradigm shift."

He previously had intended to go to graduate school immediately after finishing at Knox so he could pursue a master's in business administration -- or MBA. But Moses suggested he get some work experience before attending graduate school.

"That really opened my eyes," Oganla said.

Oganla was among the dozens of Knox students who participated in mock interviews and a networking reception on October 9. The event was organized by the Knox College Alumni Council and the Bastian Family Career Center.

Another student, Mamaa Ackah '16, interviewed with Karen MacKenzie '95 of Caterpillar Inc.

"I appreciate the fact that she told me my pros and cons. She encouraged me," said Ackah, an international relations major from Ghana who hopes to work in international development. "It was fun and interesting to see how interviewers want you to answer questions."

Lee Foxall '17, who interviewed with attorneys Valerie Blevins '86 and Scott Calhoun '81, hopes to pursue a career in the law, focusing on environmental policy.

"I thought it would be a good idea to interview with these two people, who have been in law for pretty much their whole professional careers, because they have a lot of experience," said Foxall, who is from Portland, Oregon. "This is a really cool opportunity."

One of the alumni who interviewed students was Eric Miller '02, CEO of DocuWrx Corporation, a Tampa, Florida-based application development and business consultancy firm specializing in construction management services.

"I wanted to give a little bit back" to Knox, Miller said. "As a former Army interrogator, I can give a little bit of insight on body language and how to present yourself."

"I think I was able to shock them a little bit so they might be more prepared for a future interview," Miller added. "I really felt that everyone I talked to is going to be very successful in whatever they choose to do."