Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh field hockey holds first "Career Day" in NYC
2/2/2018 3:34:00 PM | Field Hockey
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh field hockey team held the program's first Career Day earlier last month as the Mountain Hawks visited three alumnae who currently work in New York City. The day served as a great opportunity to help prepare current student-athletes for life after graduation, while keeping alumnae connected with the current program.
Â
The day featured separate meetings with alumnae Suzanne Matarazzo '99, Gabby Tofig '17 and Marie Mignogna '14.
Â
"I am so thankful Coach Caitlin provided us with such an amazing opportunity and opened many new doors for us," said freshman Maddie Leavitt. "I enjoyed listening to the advice, experiences and insights the alumnae graciously shared with us. Visiting New York City and touring those companies has solidified my dream of working in the Big Apple someday."
Â
The current student-athletes visited with a variety of alumnae, by years of experience, types of positions and more. Matarazzo is currently Senior Vice President, Client Partnerships Group at NBC Universal, Tofig works with Risk Advisory at KPMG (which provides audit, tax and advisory services) while Mignogna is Senior Account Manager at W20 Group (a marketing and communications firm).
Â
Mignogna helps lead program and account management for a number of healthcare clients, from pharmaceutical companies to hospitals and advocacy organizations.Â
Â
"I feel as if I'm established enough in my career to give helpful advice on what it takes to be successful, while also being young enough to remember how overwhelming it is to begin building a resume and searching for an internship or job, all while balancing the rigorous academics of Lehigh and a Division I sport," she said
Â
One theme came up often throughout the day, not just with Mignogna.
Â
"I spoke specifically about the benefits of being a DI student-athlete, and how so many characteristics I garnered - such as time management, work ethic, communication skills and the ability to excel in a team environment - have had a direct impact on my career," she said. "It's really important for the team to understand that discussing your experience as an athlete in job interviews can give you a big leg up on the competition; it will be a life-long asset as we begin and continue our careers."
Â
Freshman Maddie Monahan grew an appreciation for the student-athlete experience.
Â
"My favorite part of the day was hearing how beneficial the student-athlete life really is," she said. "Obviously, we all love the athletic side of it, but it's awesome that while we are doing something we truly believe in, we are gaining knowledge and characteristics to be applied for the rest of our lives."
Â
Meanwhile, time spent with Tofig proved beneficial - gaining insight from a recent graduate who just one year ago, was still at Lehigh.
Â
"Gabby is a great public speaker and provided us with some very helpful tips for entering the business world," said Leavitt. "Because she graduated last year, I felt I could relate more to her situation and could envision myself being in her shoes. All of the alumnae were extremely engaging and passionate about their work, which made the trip very fulfilling. Â
Â
"I had only ever seen Gabby Tofig as a close friend and close teammate and had never seen her in a professional environment," said junior Isabel McKeown. "It was an awesome feeling and experience to see her confidently grow into a professional position and to look happy in her new position. I felt an overwhelming sense of pride for her."
Â
Another takeaway was that one's major in college shouldn't constrain you as you look to pursue career goals.
Â
"No matter your major or intended career path, there may be opportunities for employment that pop in an almost completely different industry and with use of qualities learned as a Lehigh student-athlete, it is still possible to thrive," said Monahan. "Gabby's experience throughout college and now at KMPG has taught LUFH the importance of honing in on and maintaining the student-athlete characteristics of hard work, competitiveness, accountability and drive necessary to succeed, on and off the field."
Â
The day helped set a foundation for current student-athletes as they enter the workforce, some sooner than others. Just like on the field, you need to have a game plan, and the day helped the Mountain Hawks begin to think about their "career progression game plan."
Â
"It's okay to not totally know what you want to do with your life right now," said McKeown. "It seemed like almost every one of the alumnae had a creative work experience path and ended up in a position or company that they did not originally set out for. However, they are all thankful and happy to be where they are today, so it's reassuring to see that Lehigh prepares you for whatever career path you take, regardless if it was your original plan or not."
Â
The Lehigh family is there to help each other, and Career Day was just the latest example.
Â
"I miss being with the girls and playing for Coach, so it was a fun event," said Tofig. "I think the event is a great idea. It's great to see how LUFH and Lehigh Athletics impacted our lives outside of just sports, but with our careers and life skills."
Â
"I am so happy that we were able to provide this opportunity for our team," said head coach Caitlin Dallmeyer. "We have so many successful alums that hold great leadership positions within their companies and can provide insight to our student-athletes. It is inspiring to meet our accomplished alumnae and hear about their lives after Lehigh.
Â
"As a coach, it is my responsibility to make sure I am connecting LUFHers of the past with the present, and consistently pushing our team to be involved in more than just field hockey. This event served to do both and I believe it was such a success that it will be able to continue on an annual basis. Thank you to our alums for hosting us and our partnership representative, Kristen (Brannick), for making this event a reality."
Â
Â
The day featured separate meetings with alumnae Suzanne Matarazzo '99, Gabby Tofig '17 and Marie Mignogna '14.
 "I am so thankful Coach Caitlin provided us with such an amazing opportunity and opened many new doors for us," said freshman Maddie Leavitt. "I enjoyed listening to the advice, experiences and insights the alumnae graciously shared with us. Visiting New York City and touring those companies has solidified my dream of working in the Big Apple someday."
Â
The current student-athletes visited with a variety of alumnae, by years of experience, types of positions and more. Matarazzo is currently Senior Vice President, Client Partnerships Group at NBC Universal, Tofig works with Risk Advisory at KPMG (which provides audit, tax and advisory services) while Mignogna is Senior Account Manager at W20 Group (a marketing and communications firm).
Â
Mignogna helps lead program and account management for a number of healthcare clients, from pharmaceutical companies to hospitals and advocacy organizations.Â
Â
"I feel as if I'm established enough in my career to give helpful advice on what it takes to be successful, while also being young enough to remember how overwhelming it is to begin building a resume and searching for an internship or job, all while balancing the rigorous academics of Lehigh and a Division I sport," she said
Â
One theme came up often throughout the day, not just with Mignogna.
Â
"I spoke specifically about the benefits of being a DI student-athlete, and how so many characteristics I garnered - such as time management, work ethic, communication skills and the ability to excel in a team environment - have had a direct impact on my career," she said. "It's really important for the team to understand that discussing your experience as an athlete in job interviews can give you a big leg up on the competition; it will be a life-long asset as we begin and continue our careers."
Â
Freshman Maddie Monahan grew an appreciation for the student-athlete experience.
Â
"My favorite part of the day was hearing how beneficial the student-athlete life really is," she said. "Obviously, we all love the athletic side of it, but it's awesome that while we are doing something we truly believe in, we are gaining knowledge and characteristics to be applied for the rest of our lives."
Â
Meanwhile, time spent with Tofig proved beneficial - gaining insight from a recent graduate who just one year ago, was still at Lehigh.
Â
"Gabby is a great public speaker and provided us with some very helpful tips for entering the business world," said Leavitt. "Because she graduated last year, I felt I could relate more to her situation and could envision myself being in her shoes. All of the alumnae were extremely engaging and passionate about their work, which made the trip very fulfilling. Â
 "I had only ever seen Gabby Tofig as a close friend and close teammate and had never seen her in a professional environment," said junior Isabel McKeown. "It was an awesome feeling and experience to see her confidently grow into a professional position and to look happy in her new position. I felt an overwhelming sense of pride for her."
Â
Another takeaway was that one's major in college shouldn't constrain you as you look to pursue career goals.
Â
"No matter your major or intended career path, there may be opportunities for employment that pop in an almost completely different industry and with use of qualities learned as a Lehigh student-athlete, it is still possible to thrive," said Monahan. "Gabby's experience throughout college and now at KMPG has taught LUFH the importance of honing in on and maintaining the student-athlete characteristics of hard work, competitiveness, accountability and drive necessary to succeed, on and off the field."
Â
The day helped set a foundation for current student-athletes as they enter the workforce, some sooner than others. Just like on the field, you need to have a game plan, and the day helped the Mountain Hawks begin to think about their "career progression game plan."
Â
"It's okay to not totally know what you want to do with your life right now," said McKeown. "It seemed like almost every one of the alumnae had a creative work experience path and ended up in a position or company that they did not originally set out for. However, they are all thankful and happy to be where they are today, so it's reassuring to see that Lehigh prepares you for whatever career path you take, regardless if it was your original plan or not."
Â
The Lehigh family is there to help each other, and Career Day was just the latest example.
 "I miss being with the girls and playing for Coach, so it was a fun event," said Tofig. "I think the event is a great idea. It's great to see how LUFH and Lehigh Athletics impacted our lives outside of just sports, but with our careers and life skills."
Â
"I am so happy that we were able to provide this opportunity for our team," said head coach Caitlin Dallmeyer. "We have so many successful alums that hold great leadership positions within their companies and can provide insight to our student-athletes. It is inspiring to meet our accomplished alumnae and hear about their lives after Lehigh.
Â
"As a coach, it is my responsibility to make sure I am connecting LUFHers of the past with the present, and consistently pushing our team to be involved in more than just field hockey. This event served to do both and I believe it was such a success that it will be able to continue on an annual basis. Thank you to our alums for hosting us and our partnership representative, Kristen (Brannick), for making this event a reality."
Â
Players Mentioned
M
/ Field Hockey
M/F
/ Field Hockey
D/M
/ Field Hockey
F
/ Field HockeyPlaying for something bigger than the game
Thursday, October 23
MHT EP3 - Field Hockey
Thursday, October 16
Field Hockey vs. Boston U.
Saturday, October 04
Field Hockey vs. LIU
Sunday, September 28
