University of Delaware finance and marketing students, along with members of the Lerner College Career Services Center, participated in a field trip to New York City last month, where they spent the day visiting industry professionals and networking with UD alumni.
Students on the finance trip began their day by visiting with Nuveen at the company’s 3rd Avenue office. They then attended a networking lunch with The New York City (NYC) Dean’s Advisory Council before visiting with Merrill Private Wealth Management at its Liberty St. office.
Students on the marketing trip began their day by visiting and having lunch with Hunter PR at its office in One World Trade Center. The group then visited LinkedIn at its 5th Avenue office.
Both groups of students joined up at the end of the day for an alumni networking event with Lerner graduates at the PENN 2 building. Participating alumni included Jason Castelluccio Class of 2000, senior vice president and client portfolio manager at Nuveen Investments, Inc.; Noel Bigman, Class of 1993, CFO and business manager for the KKM team of America Merrill Lynch; Grace Leong, Class of 1988, CEO and partner at Hunter PR; and Evan Schmidt, Class of 2010, senior account executive at LinkedIn.
Jill Panté, director of the Career Services Center, shared some of her insights from the day, as well as her feelings regarding field trips and their importance.
Lerner: Why do you feel it was important to take the students on this trip?
Panté: This trip gave our students a valuable opportunity to see firsthand how what they learn in the classroom connects to real-world business environments. Being in NYC allowed them to experience the pace, professionalism, and energy of the finance and marketing industries. It also helped them build confidence in networking with alumni and employers, gain insight into different career paths, and start picturing themselves in these roles after graduation.
Lerner: What specific activities did the group participate in during the day?
Panté: Students visited several top organizations, including Nuveen (a TIAA company), Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Hunter PR, and LinkedIn, where they met with professionals and UD alumni to learn about their career journeys and company cultures. We ended the day with a Lerner alumni and student networking reception, which offered students a chance to make meaningful connections while taking in incredible views of the city.
Lerner: What were some of your highlights from the trip?
Panté: A few highlights included seeing our students confidently engage in conversations with alumni and professionals, ask insightful questions, and genuinely connect with people who were once in their shoes. It was also inspiring to witness how proud our alumni were to share their experiences and open doors for the next generation of Blue Hen leaders.
Lerner also connected with junior marketing and operations management major Savannah McLaughlin and sophomore finance and business analytics major Sanath Shiohare about their experiences on the trip.
Lerner: What are some of your highlights from the trip?
McLaughlin: A highlight of my trip was meeting and having lunch with the women on the panel at Hunter PR. We had the opportunity to sit down with a recent graduate who now works there, and she shared valuable advice on everything from securing internships to navigating life in New York. Her insights were incredibly thoughtful, and it was inspiring to hear from someone so knowledgeable about building a career in business.
Shiohare: Highlights from the trip included the alumni networking event, where conversations felt genuine and actionable, an inspiring one-on-one with Rob Siegfried about his early career path, the informal chats with professionals that revealed day-to-day life in asset management and the small moments like standing and walking outside Madison Square Garden which made the whole experience feel memorable.
Lerner: What was your favorite part of the trip?
McLaughlin: My favorite part of the trip was visiting the LinkedIn and Hunter PR offices, located in the World Trade Center and the Empire State Building. It was incredible to explore such iconic landmarks while also getting a glimpse into the professional world of New York City. Both offices had innovative, inspiring spaces, and it was fascinating to see what a typical work environment in NYC looks like.
Shiohare: My favorite part of the trip was the alumni networking event at the end of the day. Talking with University of Delaware alumni, especially Rob Siegfried, was inspiring. Hearing about how he started from college and built his career made the experience both relatable and motivating.
Lerner: What were some of the key takeaways or lessons heard throughout the day?
McLaughlin: My key takeaway from the day was the importance of building meaningful connections and making the most of your existing network. Throughout the panels and conversations, many professionals emphasized how valuable relationships are in advancing your career — not just for job opportunities, but also for mentorship, collaboration, and personal growth. I really enjoyed getting to connect with the panelists and hear their experiences firsthand. It reminded me that networking isn’t just about exchanging contact information; it’s about forming genuine relationships and staying engaged with the people who inspire and support you.
Shiohare: Some key takeaways from the trip included the importance of starting where you are rather than waiting for everything to be perfect, and being willing to figure things out along the way. The professionals we met emphasized continuous learning—not just improving technical skills, but also navigating the workplace by collaborating with different people, being adaptable, exploring various roles early in our careers, and having the confidence to take the first step toward a goal.