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Advising and Career Success Day

About the Event

Come be a part of SXU's Advising and Career Success Day on October 6, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., where students connect with advisors, attend professional and personal development sessions focused on academic and career success, network with alumni and mentors, and explore internships and job opportunities at the College-to-Career Expo.

During this event, learn how to:

  • Gain and articulate experiences and skills valued by employers.
  • Effectively listen and communicate in the workplace.
  • Learn more about your major and career opportunities.
  • Connect with and learn from student leaders.
  • Find out how to start building your resume as a first/second-year, DACA and undocumented student.
  • Network and leverage relationships with career and industry professionals.

Please note: Student attendance is required for students with in-person classes between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Keynote Speaker

Mario Young smiling in photograph

The Unexpected Path

Mario Young is a 2023 graduate of Saint Xavier University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Business Administration. While at Saint Xavier, he served as an Orientation Leader, Peer Mentor, Campus Ministry Leader, and President of the Residence Hall Association Executive Board, developing a strong foundation in leadership and community engagement. Building on those leadership experiences, Young began his professional career with Enterprise Mobility's Management Trainee Program, where he developed expertise in operations, customer service, and team leadership. He advanced into leadership roles managing four rental car locations, including serving as a Tri-Brand Station Manager at Chicago Midway International Airport. Today, Young is a Sales Representative with Cintas Corporation, helping businesses enhance their image, safety, and operational efficiency through workplace solutions while building long-term, value-driven partnerships.

Fall 2026 Schedule

Attend the Advising and Career Success Day! Meet advisors, attend sessions, network with alumni, and explore opportunities at the College-to-Career Expo. Students are welcome to participate in any of the below sessions throughout the day:

Time

Choose One Option Per Time Slot

10 a.m.
The Unexpected Path
Keynote Speaker: Mario Young
Room: McGuire and Butler (Overflow)

10:30 a.m.
Transition and Break

10:40 a.m.

(Choose One)
BoodleBox - Finding Your Path: Designing a Life, Not Just a Major
Most career advice starts with a job title. This session starts with designing the life you want. Use AI to explore your values, identify energizing work, and evaluate realistic career paths. You’ll gain resources to find industry connections, internships, tailor your résumé, prepare for interviews, and build a plan to reach your goals.

Facilitator: Meredith Lancaster, Director of Customer Experience at BoodleBox

Room: McGuire Hall
Networking 101: Build Connections That Open Doors
The session will introduce students to the fundamentals of networking and why building professional connections is an important part of career development. Topics will include what networking is and isn't and practical strategies for building and expanding a professional network. Students will also learn how to leverage CareerSpring as a resource to connect with professionals, build relationships, and explore career opportunities.

Facilitator: Ruben Barajas, Regional Program Coordinator at CareerSpring

Room: Butler Reception Room
Walk the Talk: Aligning Values and Behaviors
This lecture will teach students the importance of Weekly Focusing, Time Blocks, Organization, and how to leverage those tools to align one's values (talk) with their actions (walk).

Facilitator: Jake Slinkman, Quality Manager at Home Run Inn, Inc.

Room: WAC S-101
Crafting Your Personal Pitch with the 3W's
Learn how to confidently talk about yourself, own your unique story, and authentically share your journey. This session helps participants recognize the experiences that have shaped them and communicate their strengths, values, and goals in a way that feels genuine and memorable.

Facilitator: COOP Careers

Room: WAC S-113

11:10 a.m.
Transition and Break

11:20 a.m.

(Choose One)
BoodleBox - Finding Your Path: Designing a Life, Not Just a Major

Most career advice starts with a job title. This session starts with designing the life you want. Use AI to explore your values, identify energizing work, and evaluate realistic career paths. You’ll gain resources to find industry connections, internships, tailor your résumé, prepare for interviews, and build a plan to reach your goals.

Facilitator: Meredith Lancaster, Director of Customer Experience at BoodleBox

Room: McGuire Hall
Make Your First Impression Count
Learn how to make a strong first impression by introducing yourself with confidence, navigating networking conversations, and building meaningful professional connections. Through practical strategies, demonstrations, and hands-on practice, students will learn how to enter and exit conversations, network effectively, and turn everyday interactions into future opportunities.

Facilitator: Rhonda Potts, Founder & Lead Etiquette/Career Readiness Coach at Pride & Grace Etiquette Consulting

Room: Butler Reception Room
Interview Preparation: Putting Your Best Foot Forward
Drawing from thousands of interviews, this session shares what separates strong candidates from the rest. Learn how to prepare before the interview, stand out during it, demonstrate thoughtful research and questions, and follow up effectively afterward to leave a lasting impression.

Facilitator: Erik Carpenter, Associate Director of Human Resources at Miniat Holdings, LLC

Room: WAC S-101
Effective Workplace Communication and Business Etiquette
Learn the different types of communication and when to use them, along with essential business etiquette. Discover how to apply both effectively to collaborate, build trust, and become a successful, valued member of any team.

Facilitator: Mike Frigo, Director at Adducci Vega Financial Group

Room: WAC S-113

11:50 a.m.
Transition and Break

Noon

(Choose One)
From Passion to Business: Lessons in Media, Entrepreneurship and Building Your Career
Learn how to turn your interests and skills into real opportunities, build the business habits that make talent sustainable, and develop relationships that open doors. Drawing from lessons building a media company, this session covers taking action, handling rejection, adapting, staying consistent, and building a career before you feel ready.

Facilitator: Jamel Williams, Owner at THREE20 Media

Room: McGuire Hall
Alumni Networking and Table Talk
Learn about different resources available for SXU alums post graduation and gain insights into different industries where our alum work.

Facilitator: Becca Allpow, Director of Alumni Engagement at Saint Xavier University

Room: Butler Reception Room
What Can You Do with a Humanities Degree?
Humanities degrees can lead to successful careers, though they may require different job-search strategies than vocational or STEM fields. This panel features five humanities graduates in law, marketing, fundraising, and education, sharing career experiences, practical advice, and answering students’ questions.

Facilitator: Marc Blanc, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of English at Saint Xavier University

Room: WAC S-101
Pathways to Funded Ph.D.s

In this 30-minute session, current PhD students from a variety of funded programs (no tuition, plus a stipend) will share how they prepared to apply, what the application process was like, and what it's actually like to be in a funded PhD program day-to-day. Attendees will walk away with practical insight into finding funded opportunities, strengthening their applications, and knowing what to expect once they're in.

Facilitator: LaTreese Hall, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at Saint Xavier University

Room: WAC S-113

12:30 p.m.

 Break

1 p.m.
College-To-Career Expo
(Shannon Center Gym)

Meet employers offering full-time, part-time, volunteer, and educational opportunities and visit a variety of stations to receive resume reviews, interviewing tips, and professional headshots.

3 p.m.
(Optional) Academic Advising and Faculty Mentor Appointments


Please note: students will need to reach out to their assigned advisor or faculty mentor to make arrangements to meet during the 3 to 4 p.m. time slot. Advising and faculty mentor appointments are optional but strongly encouraged.

*Sessions are open to all students regardless of class level, e.g., first-year, sophomore, junior, and senior. However, sessions with an (*) are perfect for first-year and sophomore students.