HWS News
24 January 2025 • Alums Exploring the Value of Purpose-Driven Careers
During winter break, HWS students learned from alumni in Boston the value of aligning core values to their work.
HWS students traveled to the headquarters of Fidelity Investments, Suffolk Construction, EF (Education First) and Mediahub Worldwide to explore a variety of career opportunities in these fields and gain insights from alumni about the importance of mission-guided work. The Boston Businesses with a Purpose-Driven Career Trek was hosted by the Salisbury Center for Career, Professional and Experiential Education on Jan. 9-10.
Led by Co-Chair and Associate Professor of Business Management and Entrepreneurship Craig Talmage, Senior Associate Director of the Salisbury Center Shayne Feinberg P'17, P'20 and STEM Career Coordinator Emily Stump, the program offered invaluable understanding and opportunities to connect with business management and startup alumni and other professionals. President Mark D. Gearan and Vice President and Senior Philanthropic Advisor Bob O'Connor P’22, P’23 joined students for presentations and tours at Fidelity Investments and Suffolk Construction.
“The key to purpose-driven work lies in connecting with what you use and believe in,” says Talmage. “At workplaces like Fidelity, Suffolk Construction, MediaHub and EF, we saw how passion and familiarity with a product or service fuel innovation and success. The lesson is simple: Get a job with a product or service you use, and you'll never run out of ideas to contribute.”
Zane Benoh ’28, an economics major, attended the trip to learn from alumni who work at top industry-leading businesses.
“Even though we visited companies operating in completely different sectors like education, media, construction and finance, the one thing I found in common between them was a strong sense of identity that all the employees resonated with and a set of core values that guided the companies to where they are today, which is something every company should have and is something I will definitely integrate into my own,” says Benoh, co-creator of JB Envision, a data analytics business founded in 2022 that provides underwriting services for real estate investments.
Emma Johnston ’25, a business management and entrepreneurship major, was eager to learn from alumni on their transition from Hobart and William Smith to the workforce.
(L to R): At Mediahub Worldwide, Associate Director of Paid Social Jaclyn Bolivar, Assistant Media Planner Bridget Weier ’23, Media Supervisor Gabriella Goodwin ’19, Head of Mediahub Worldwide Leila Gibney ’09, Associate Media Director Nicole Harrington ’17 and Associate Media Director Abigail Abdinoor ’17 present to students.
“I gained both practical advice and saw real-world examples of how leadership can be applied in different industries,” says Johnston. “It also reminded me of the unique experience we have at Hobart and William Smith–a close-knit community that creates personal connections and encourages collaboration even after graduation.”
Isaiah Cotton ’24, MSM ’25 appreciated the advice to work at an organization whose mission aligns with their own personal beliefs and to “remain confident and encouraged during the job search process.”
Alumni, parents and friends of the Colleges included:
EF (Education First): Market Development Specialist Sally Dent ’19, Tour Consultant Sydney Schultz ’23, Customer Success Specialist Julia Stockwin ’22, Manager of Customer Success Karly Wagner ’16
Fidelity Investments: Vice President and Portfolio Manager of Fidelity Contrafund William Danoff, Equity Research Analyst Claire Lu, Vice President and Financial Consultant Travis Ferland ’11, Financial Services Representative Grace Swartz ’24, Investment Risk Management Associate Peggy Wagner ’21
Mediahub Worldwide: Associate Director of Paid Social Jaclyn Bolivar, Associate Media Director Abigail Abdinoor ’17, Head of Mediahub Worldwide Leila Gibney ’09, Media Supervisor Gabriella Goodwin ’19, Associate Media Director Nicole Harrington ’17, Assistant Media Planner Bridget Weier ’23
Suffolk Construction: Chief Executive Officer and Chairman John Fish, Assistant Superintendent Bryce Benham ’22, Marketing Coordinator Kathleen Gearan ’21, Project Engineer Mark Synnott ’22, MSM ’23
Top: At EF (Education First), Co-Chair and Associate Professor of Business Management and Entrepreneurship Craig Talmage, Senior Associate Director of the Salisbury Center for Career, Professional and Experiential Education Shayne Feinberg P'17, P'20 and STEM Career Coordinator Emily Stump join students for a group photo.
