Students Network During D.C. Career Trip

Desmond Murray and members of the National Press Club on the Washington D.C. trip. Photo via Desmond Murray.

During this semester’s spring break, a group of Marist students traveled to Washington, D.C. for a public service career trip. 

“It was really great getting to network with alumni working in a diverse range of positions in Washington D.C,” Kaitlyn Wiehe ‘23 said. “Whether it was on Capitol Hill as a lobbyist, working in the press with the Wall Street Journal or in local theater, everyone had insightful words about their time at Marist and career after.”

The trip was led by Dr. Martin Shaffer, Dean of the School of Liberal Arts and Associate Professor of Political Science. Over 30 students from a variety of majors signed up to attend the three day, two night trip. In addition to Dr. Shaffer, the Center for Carrer Services, Marist Alumni Association and the Center for Civic Engagement and Leadership worked to sponsor the trip. 

“The students learned about the variety of career options in DC, they learned how these alumni had navigated their career, and they made connections which will serve them well in the future,” Dr. Shaffer said.  “Some of the students who want on the trip will now be interning in D.C. this summer.”

The trip provided students with multiple formal and informal opportunities to network with D.C. based alumni and parents. In addition, they were able to attend career panels, learn about different job opportunities in public service and visit a number of historic sites.

“My absolute favorite part of the trip was getting to tour the capital building,” Wiehe added. “It was amazing to be at the center of our government.”

During the trip, students attended a networking event at the National Press Club with over 60 Marist Alumni. The students also attended four career panels featuring Marist alumni who work in Congress, executive branch agencies, lobbying firms, museums and arts organizations in D.C. 

“I chose to come to D.C. because I’m interested in the public spheres,” said Navkiran Pandher '23 in a Marist press release. “There are job options and career paths that I never thought existed until having conversations with alumni on this trip. Who knows, maybe I will end up here myself.”

For Desmond Murray, Associate Director for the Employer Experience, one amazing part of the trip was seeing alumna, Jenna Vanadia '19, who attended the first trip as a student in 2019 serve as a professional presenter on the 2023 panel.

“We hope to see more students who attend the D.C. public service trip eventually graduate from Marist and then work in the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia area and become presenters for the career trip,” Murray said.

Although it was only the second time that Marist held the D.C. trip over spring break, they plan to offer it every year moving forward due to its success. With more than 900 Marist alumni living in the D.C. area, it's a great place for current students to find connections and discover their public service interests.