Alumni to share nonlinear career experiences
The Institute for Women’s Leadership collaborated with the Experience and Professional Development Hub to plan a networking event for students with several alumni who changed their career paths after college.
For many undergraduate students, the question “what’s next?” can feel daunting.
Students report that choosing a major often seems like a commitment to a single path, one that must lead directly to a matching career, but what happens when life takes an unexpected turn?
The Institute for Women’s Leadership (IWL) said they aim to answer that question with its upcoming event, Detours to Success: A Nonlinear Networking Experience, on Thursday, Oct. 23, from 6-8 p.m. in Upper Gorecki.
Hosted in collaboration with Experience and Professional Development (XPD), the event offers students the chance to connect with alumni who found success in unexpected places.
Through open conversation, students will discover how flexibility, resilience and curiosity can shape fulfilling careers, even when the path doesn’t go as planned.
Emily Strommen, student coordinator of the event, spoke about the intention of Detours to Success.
“A lot of CSB+SJU students might feel uncertain about their future, even after choosing a major. This event shows that it’s okay to major in one thing and then go into a career path that’s not directly related to what you studied in undergrad” Strommen said.
The evening will begin at 6 p.m. with a Networking Crash Course hosted by XPD.
The session will cover strategies for starting meaningful conversations and building professional connections.
From 6:30-7 p.m., alumni will introduce themselves, briefly sharing what they studied and their career path.
The event will conclude with a networking session from 7-8 p.m., giving students time to connect personally with the alumni whose experiences resonate most with them.
Unlike a traditional career fair or resume driven event, Strommen said Detours to Success encourages genuine connection over performance.
“It’s not like Numbers Night or other high pressure networking events where you have to pitch yourself, this is an inclusive space for students to learn…. It’s about creating real connections, not just trading resumes” Strommen said.
Strommen said that sense of comfort and authenticity is central to IWL’s mission.
The IWL aims to create an environment where students feel safe exploring uncertainty, a natural part of both leadership and life.
“It’s not just about checking boxes or holding traditional titles. It’s about growing, adapting and finding success in unexpected ways” Strommen said.
Sophie Heck, the IWL student director, also highlighted the professional advantages.
“We’ve noticed that a lot of people, ourselves included, start out majoring in one thing but realize along the way they want to do something else,” Heck said. “There is this idea that what you major in is what you’re stuck doing forever, but that’s just not true.”
With this event, the IWL wants students to see the wide range of opportunities that can follow a liberal arts education.
The message of Detours to Success reinforces the idea that adaptability is often a greater predictor of success than a perfectly linear path.
Participants are encouraged to come ready to engage in conversation.
With its relaxed format and focus on storytelling, Detours to Success offers more than just a networking opportunity; it’s a reminder that success often looks different for everyone.
“Things might not go exactly as you planned, but that doesn’t mean you’re off track. Sometimes, a detour is where you find your direction,” Strommen said.