On April 7, Lasell University hosted a professional development fair in de Witt Hall, open to all students at the school. The fair was organized by a senior and current intern for Academic Advising, Jacob Lustig, and was sponsored by the Campus Activities Board (CAB), Academic Affairs, the Office of Undergraduate Academic Advising, the Office of Career Readiness, and the Office of Student Activities and Orientation.
The fair offered several stations for career development, such as mock interviews, résumé reviews, LinkedIn and Handshake guidance, and graduate school information. The event also included free headshots, vision boarding, and prizes. As students checked in for the event, they were handed a “passport” to guide them through the different stations available to them.
The event was an adaptation of one created last year by Mandy Brochausen, CAB’s former Vice President of Marketing. Lustig felt that as a liaison between Academic Affairs and CAB, it was their duty to take over the planning and execution for the student body.
The event was a success and was a great way to connect with the professional world, even for young underclassmen who may not have any experience with crucial professional skills. The fair aimed to address these skill gaps, build students’ confidence, and provide plenty of resources to them. Highlights included the mock interviews that were personalized to each student’s major or professional goals rather than general and basic interview questions.
Senior Joseph Gattuso spoke about the station, saying, “It was very personal, one-on-one, and interactive, which was helpful. We got to have a conversation afterward with feedback.”
Each volunteer at the fair was happy to answer any questions and provide feedback to students nervous about entering the professional world. There was a professor or faculty member positioned at each booth in the hall to advise students on professional details.
“The amount of faculty and staff involvement is a win,” Lustig said on the success of the day. “I think allowing our staff and faculty to share their wealth and knowledge while also inviting them to be in a shared space with the students is always a plus.”
The event was a great opportunity for students to dip their toes into job interviews and the professional world, which can be overwhelming. “Other students could benefit from opening their horizons and being asked questions about themselves that they haven’t been asked before if they haven’t been in a real professional interview,” Gattuso explained.
If students missed this event but want to further their professional development, there are plenty of resources on campus. The Center for Career Readiness, located on the second floor of the Edwards Student Center, offers similar experiences to the professional development fair. Students can request help with writing résumés and cover letters, schedule mock interviews, and receive guidance on career choices.
Events such as these, along with the symposiums held each semester, are great opportunities for students here at Lasell to get their foot into the professional world and start marketing themselves. Kacey Hilton-Gilleo, a junior at Lasell, has attended numerous events that have been thrown and has found them to be an excellent way to build up confidence, experience, and form connections.
Although many events are targeted towards ComArts students, Lasell has made these events accessible to everyone, regardless of their major and their plans after college. This accessibility, and the skills and lessons learned through these events, give students an experience that they can take with them past their years at Lasell and utilize them to create the future they envision for themselves.
“I think having more programs committed to the support and building of our students towards the future they envision is so important to me and important to the school,” Lustig said on why they felt this program is needed at the university.
The professional development fair was a great way for students to be career-ready and prepared for life after college.
Lasell is built on the concept of connected learning, and throughout both the fall and spring semesters, countless events have been organized where students can start connecting with professionals, learn more about their chosen fields, and start networking.
The Professional Development Fair is a great example of how Lasell creates opportunities for students that will help them feel more secure and ready for their future professional careers.
–May 15, 2026–
