Wilmington University Business students meet banking execs in boardroom

When a select group of Wilmington University business students were given the opportunity to meet with executives of the nation’s largest bank on Jan. 25, the atmosphere of quiet anticipation was palpable.

Most of the students had never even seen the university’s executive board-room, where the meeting was held.

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The 36 students invited were carefully selected, based on their academic performance in the university’s undergraduate accounting, business, finance and management programs and its graduate MBA program.

Keith Pettiford, vice president and chief of staff for risk management in consumer lending at JP Morgan Chase, gave a presentation about JP Morgan Chase, and then he and a team of hiring managers talked with students in small working groups, answering their questions.

The event was the first of its kind at Wilmington University, a tailored recruiting session rather than the traditional, open-door career events that welcome all student job candidates.

Robert Rescigno, dean of the College of Business, said the idea grew out of conversations between Pettiford and Audrey Parajon, chair of the university’s business management program.

Parajon and Pettiford completed the first doctor of business administration cohort at Wilmington University together in 2012. Pettiford became an adjunct professor at Wilmington.

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He asked Parajon which students she would recommend as potential candidates for jobs at JP Morgan.

“He asked me more than once, which got me to thinking about how we might collaborate to bring a relatively small group of students together for an opportunity to learn more about the company and, at the same time, learn directly from management representatives,” she said. “Keith agreed with the idea, and we worked together to bring about this special opportunity for WilmU students.”

“I am pleased to say that, beyond simply being on a talent search in our classrooms, the students were actively involved in asking great questions and receiving real time coaching and guidance from a top-notch management team from a Class A company,” she said.

Pettiford said execs were struck by the students’ eagerness to work: “The biggest thing how focused they are in terms of starting their careers,” he said. “Many of them will be graduating on Saturday or in the spring so they are really eager to find a good company that can help them grow and develop.”

“This is a trifecta,” Rescigno said. “One of our alumni initiated it, students enjoyed a tremendous opportunity here and it engaged one of the largest employers in the state.”

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“While this was not a formal interview, it was a big break for our students to meet with executives at one the country’s leading financial service firms,” Parajon added. “This sort of opportunity isn’t commonplace. The students presented themselves at their professional best, with resumes and portfolios that showcased the skills they’ve gained at Wilmington University.

Pettiford said the bank hasn’t begun the interview process yet, but the hiring managers were interested in the students they met. “We definitely have some of them on the short list,” he said.

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