Brian Wales graduated in 1998 with a degree in electronic engineering from ASU East and now works as an engineer for Intel. On Thursday, he and 59 other ASU alumni returned to ASU to share where their degrees have taken them with students at Old Main.
Wales, a component design engineer, said he is working on his master's degree in computer engineering technology and came to provide insight to students.
"It wasn't too long ago that I was here in their position," Wales said. "This experience is great for students, and I hope that I can give them some tips and pointers and what to expect in the real world."
For the first time, ASU Career Services and the Alumni Association put together the Career Connections Career Networking event so that students and alumni could interact on a one-on-one basis.
Tom Studdert, homecoming coordinator, said the event was placed at the same time as homecoming so that more alumni would be in town.
"As a part of the alumni association, we have a set goal to do career networking with alumni and students," Studdert said. "It really gives undecided students a chance to do a little career exploration."
A number of businesses were represented on Thursday, including The Arizona Republic and health care insurance provider, AFLAC.
Communication seniors Andrea Kenney and Erin McAdams said they are preparing to graduate in December and were in attendance to learn more about various jobs that are open in the market.
"We're trying to meet people and learn about what these people have their degrees in," Kenney said.
"We've talked to one person so far," McAdams said. "He's been really helpful in terms of telling us what to put in our cover letters and résumés."
Studdert said after the event had gone on for about an hour, nearly 1,000 students had circulated throughout the building.
Other alumna like Greta Mang, an assistant ombudsperson of citizen's aide for child protective services in Arizona and a justice studies graduate, said the interaction of former students with current students was a definite benefit.
"I love ASU," Mang said. "I think that I have something to offer ASU students in terms of what to do and what not to do in choosing a major."
Reach Tony Ku at thatsku@hotmail.com.
