Launching Careers: Alumni Stories
Matthew Alcalde
Name: Matthew Alcalde
Major: Biological Sciences Minor: Psychology
Current Job Title: Director, Talent Acquisition Services
Employer: BioNJ
Tell us a bit about your life and career since graduation. How did you get your first job? How did you navigate to where you are now? Where do you live?
I currently live in Clifton, NJ. My career path is a bit unique because part of the journey, particularly the early years, felt like I was stumbling along.
Jessica Bagtas
Name: Jessica Bagtas ‘15
Major: Geography Minor: International and Global Studies
Current Job Title: Associate Project Manager of Strategic Analytics
Employer: IQVIA The Human Data Science Company (formerly QuintilesIMS Health)
Tell us a bit about your life and career since graduation. How did you get your first job? How did you navigate to where you are now? Where do you live?
I started working at my current job shortly after graduation. I was a part-time research assistant to one of my Geography professors the summer after graduation,
Jeffrey Chang
Name: Jeffrey Chang ‘08
Major: History & Political Science Minor: Economics
Current Job Title: Attorney
Employer: Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP
Tell us a bit about your life and career since graduation. How did you get your first job? How did you navigate to where you are now? Where do you live?
I attended the University of Virginia School of Law after graduating Rutgers.
Mauli Shukla
Name: Mauli Shukla ‘10
Major: Individualized: South Asian Studies
Current Job Title: User Experience Lead
Employer: Infor
Tell us a bit about your life and career since graduation. How did you get your first job? How did you navigate to where you are now? Where do you live?
My life and career since graduation has been an unpredictable rollercoaster ride taking me through multiple different journeys that have led me to where I am now.
Bruce Franco
Name: Bruce Franco ‘11
Major: History
Current Job Title: Real Estate Agent & Business Owner
Employer: Franco Realty Services
How would you describe your greatest personal or professional accomplishment since graduating from Rutgers?
My greatest personal/professional accomplishment is comprised of more than one. I was a non-traditional student who returned to Rutgers after being displaced from my career due to the economy.
Zeke Pariser
Name: Zeke Pariser ‘12
Major: Philosophy Minor: English
Current Job Title: Operational Due Diligence Analyst
Employer: Akasia
Tell us a bit about your life and career since graduation. How did you get your first job? How did you navigate to where you are now? Where do you live?
During my senior year at Rutgers, a Teach for America recruiter asked to meet with me to discuss the program. After 30 minutes with him, I was hooked.
Humza Nomani
Name: Humza Nomani ‘14
Major: Planning and Public Policy Minor: Political Science
Current Job Title: Senior Defense & Intelligence Consultant
Employer: Booz Allen Hamilton
Tell us a bit about your life and career since graduation. How did you get your first job? How did you navigate to where you are now? Where do you live?
Upon graduating from Rutgers, I enrolled in a one year Master’s program, where I obtained my Masters in International Business, from HULT International Business School, London.
Steph Lanza
Name: Steph Lanza ‘14
Major: Psychology Minor: Education
Current Job Title: Career Advisor
Employer: Rowan College - Gloucester County
Tell us a bit about your life and career since graduation. How did you get your first job? How did you navigate to where you are now? Where do you live?
I'm currently living in Claymont, DE. After I graduated in 2014, I started grad school at the University of South Carolina that August. I pursued my master's degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs and graduated in May 2016.
Karen Lacey
Name: Karen Lacey ‘92
Major: Communications Minor: Statistics
Current Job Title: Reinsurance Specialist
Employer: Chubb
Tell us a bit about your life and career since graduation. How did you get your first job? How did you navigate to where you are now? Where do you live?
I went to a career fair at Rutgers and met Chubb there. I got a temporary position at Chubb and from there worked my way around and up.
Victoria Gonzalez
Name: Victoria Gonzalez ‘12
Major: Journalism and Media Studies Minor: Anthropology
Current Job Title: Graduate Student and Travel Writer
Graduate School: University of Amsterdam
Tell us a bit about your life and career since graduation. How did you get your first job? How did you navigate to where you are now? Where do you live?
My first job was the result of an internship with NBC News.
Omar Diaz
Name: Omar Diaz ‘05
Major: History Minor: Education
Current Job Title: Unit Head, Lieutenant
Employer: City of Newark
Tell us a bit about your life and career since graduation. How did you get your first job? How did you navigate to where you are now? Where do you live?
I have been working since the age of ten. I started bagging groceries at a local supermarket and have worked ever since then. I never thought about law enforcement or becoming a cop before, but my brother encouraged me to take the civil service test.
Andrew Brereton
Name: Andrew Brereton
Major: Anthropology
Current Job Title: Executive Dean for Student Success
Employer: Wheaton College Massachusetts
Tell us a bit about your life and career since graduation. How did you get your first job? How did you navigate to where you are now? Where do you live?
I was a 1st generation college student and, when I graduated; I had no plan and no direction.
