Jen D’Andrea, Safe Harbors of the Hudson's Development Coordinator, interviews Gabriella Maher, a communications major from Mineola, N.Y., during the Mount Career Center’s Mock Interview Week. Nearly 30 employers came to the college to interview almost 100 students.
Mount Saint Mary College’s Career Center recently gave students the opportunity to practice interviewing with employers from various fields.
“One of the best ways to prepare for an interview is by practicing with someone,” explained Heather Fitzsimmons, coordinator of co-ops and internships at the college’s Career Center. “The opportunity to practice interviewing with a professional in the field is a wonderful way to receive feedback and to learn some great ways to stand out.”
Gabriella Maher, a communications major from Mineola, N.Y., interviewed with Jen D’Andrea, Safe Harbors of the Hudson’s Development Coordinator.
“The mock interview was truly beneficial and a great experience,” explained Maher. “I learned that interviews are not as scary as one may think. Once the nerves are gone and you relax, it becomes more of a conversation than questions and answers. I also learned that confidence is key. Knowing that I’m able to answer unexpected questions and that my work from college is impressive to employees with years of experience in their field really makes me feel more confident walking into an interview.”
Mock interview sessions also featured the following employers: Fernando Ahumada, business development manager at Middletown Community Health Center, Inc.; Marguerite Eberhart, assistant director of Medicaid service coordination and guardianship services, The Arc of Orange County; Thomas D. Weddell, CPA, managing partner at Vanacore, DeBenedictus, DiGovanni, & Weddell, LLP; Terrie Goldstein, publisher at Hudson Valley Parent& Hudson Valley Life magazines; Regina McGrade, vice president of marketing and development, Greater Hudson Valley Family Health Center; Michael O’Keefe, executive director of operations and risk management at Mount Saint Mary College; Beth Wagner and Kelly Burns, recruiters at The Great Hudson Valley Family Health System; Don Presutti, technical manager, Fox News; Vasudeva Kamath, PhD, assistant professor of biochemistry and medical genetics, Basic Biomedical Sciences, Department of Basic Sciences at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine; Maureen Halahan, president and CEO of the Orange County Partnership; Denise Atkinson, senior talent acquisition specialist at Crystal Run Healthcare; Michael Sosler, executive director at Museum Village; Frank Sheboy, superintendent of schools at Highland Falls, Fort Montgomery Central School District; Brian Powers, vice president of Marketing and Business Development at Judelson, Giordano & Siegel, CPA, PC; Ohiro Oni-Eseleh, director for Adelphi University School of Social Work Hudson Valley Center; Johnnieanne Hansen, assistant corporate secretary at Walden Savings Bank; Karolyn Barth, human resources coordinator at St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital; Stephanie Tanurdzic, helpdesk IT manager at Hudson River Healthcare; Kurtis Kotes, assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction, personnel and technology at Goshen Central School District; Gary Courtney, human resource administrator at Central Hudson Gas & Electric; and Stuart Shinske, executive editor, director of content and audience development at Poughkeepsie Journal.
The Career Center prepares students for varied career opportunities in the Hudson Valley, New York City, the Capital Region, and beyond. Each semester, it hosts programs such as job fairs, events featuring specific academic programs, business dining etiquette, interview and search strategies workshops, and off-campus professional visits to help pre-professionals explore career paths.