Have you ever wondered what a liberal arts degree from Binghamton University means to employers in the real world? The Career Development Center (CDC) hosted an alumni panel presentation to answer that age-old question last Thursday.

Students in attendance learned about the unique career experiences of six panelists and how their Binghamton University educations helped them along their paths to success.

Kristin Valane, front-office manager of the Wingate Inn, graduated in 2003 with a philosophy, politics and law degree. She said her liberal arts education provided her with important skills for her career in hotel management.

“I never read about anything related to hotels during college, but read books like [John Maynard Keynes’s] ‘The Economic Consequences of the Peace,’” she said.

Valane was taken by surprise when the same book was reintroduced to her at a conference three months ago about how to motivate staff.

She also emphasized the importance of writing, critical thinking and problem solving skills in the work place — all key components of a Harpur College education, she said.

Megan Kincaid, an events and conferences coordinator, graduated in 2002 as an anthropology major. She agreed with Valane about the role of her Harpur degree in her new career.

“With the organization that I work for now, the fact that I was a major in anthropology and I was familiar with the research process and methodology was impressive to them,” she said.

Kincaid also utilizes teamwork skills in her professional life, which she credits to the group work she did in her Harpur courses.

But Art Ventura, National Sales Manager in WNYW-FOX5 and WWOR-MY9, who graduated in 1993 as an Italian major, found his major to be less useful than others.

“Honestly, Italian wasn’t helpful for my career,” he said, “but I sacrificed and took a little more time.”

The panelists also said continuing on to get a graduate degree can be an important asset in the professional world.

Angela Salerni, an administrator for the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology division in Mount Sinai Medical Center graduated in 1999 with a degree in biology. She encouraged students to obtain some work experience before rushing into graduate school and committing to a career they may eventually regret pursuing.

“You have to really make sure that your focus in graduate school is something you commit to, you love and want to do it because it makes a difference, and that knowledge is going to take you further in your career,” she said.

Kincaid said she still hopes to go to graduate school in the future, although it has not been necessary for her so far. For her, it was important to spend some time in the workforce first to explore her interests and get a taste of the real world.

Ian Rodriguez, an associate producer for ESPN who graduated in 1999 as an English major, said that the ability to network is the most important skill he developed at BU. Rodriguez landed a job through his connections in the CDC, where he worked.

“You never know who’s watching and who you are going to meet,” he said.

Rodriguez was referred to ABC by his coworkers who knew that he had an interest in broadcasting and sports. He applied for a job working weekends for ABC sports and was hired shortly after.

Rodriguez used his networking skills to move up the ladder at ABC and eventually nabbed a position at ESPN.

All of the panelists except Kincaid said they got their current job through networking. According to the CDC, studies show that around 75 to 80 percent of jobs are attained in this manner.

Despite all of their other advice, the panelists were all in agreement that enjoying what you do is the most important asset in professional life.

“At the end of the day,” Rodriguez said, “I can walk away, no matter how rough a day has been, because I know it is all about TV, which I like.”