On Thursday, February 7th, 2019 Schmid College launched the very first Schmid Networking Event to facilitate professional connections for students across all science disciplines and class levels at Chapman. STEM students, alumni, and faculty came together with 30 STEM professionals from corporations such as Microsoft, CHOC, Cordoba Corporation, and Allergan, to strengthen rapport and further expand their network. Schmid College also invited a small group of high school students from the Achievement Institute of Scientific Studies (AISS), a non-profit that works to prepare students for a career in STEM. 

High school students from AISS with Dr. Elaine Schwartz, assistant dean of Schmid College.

Chapman alumna, Ashley McCurdy ’09, represented Johnson & Johnson and was the moderator for the panel.

The evening began with a panel of recruiters from City of Hope, FBI, First American, and Masimo and was moderated by Chapman alumna, Ashley McCurdy ’09, the internship program leader for Johnson & Johnson Vision in Santa Ana. The panel portion of the event was standing room only with 140 attendees, as the panelist shared their hiring processes, company insights, and even their contact information with our science students.

Upon closing remarks, students and guests gained invaluable knowledge of the hiring processes within the STEM fields. As the event transitioned to the networking portion of the evening, the room began to buzz with engaging conversations between the students, alumni and STEM professionals. It was a successful evening for all that attended. Students and alumni left with a new found knowledge of companies and new connections, while the STEM professionals left with a fantastic impression of our Schmid community as they acknowledge the potential and talent of each person they interacted with.

“We were so impressed with not only the turnout, but the quality of candidates as well.” – Representative from First American.