QUEST Corporate hosted its 11th Annual Networking Event on Monday, October 6th! Instead of long lines or rushed elevator pitches, students actually got the chance to talk and connect with alumni and recruiters. Attended by 130+ students and 26 companies, the smaller setting made the whole experience feel less intimidating and more personal.

“It didn’t feel like do-or-die networking,” said Carleigh Mahaney, Cohort 46, comparing it to the cutthroat atmosphere at other career fairs. “It was more about making conversations and connections.” Aliyah Hampton, Cohort 45, mentioned it was her first fair for this academic year, but it was definitely a genuine one. The QUEST alums that came back as recruiters were easy to talk to and honest about their paths, as they “opened up to talk about their QUEST experience.” For her, the fair felt real in a way most networking events aren’t.

While many students came looking for internships or job leads, the fair was just as meaningful for alumni who came back to recruit. Yash Mehta, Cohort 31, attended as a representative for Guidehouse. Mehta said he loved hearing what current students are learning about in their classes. “It’s always great to come back and see what new tools and skills [QUESTees] can bring to the table.” Mehta was also joined by Joel Liebman, Cohort 14, who also returned as a representative for Guidehouse. Liebman mentioned that during his time in QUEST, they didn’t have the personalized career fair opportunity like we do now, but there was already the power of the QUEST network where you could make concentrated conversations, connecting with alums from different companies. “Conversations just feel easier when you already share that connection.”

Networking within QUEST doesn’t just stop at the career fair. Nadia Sumah, Cohort 41, mentioned that when she first started her summer internship at Deloitte, a QUEST alum had reached out to connect with her, and they were more than happy to help. “It made me less afraid to network,” Sumah said. “Just having natural conversations goes a long way.”

The QUEST Networking Event provides an opportunity for students to network with approachable alumni and recruiters, smaller crowds, and real conversations, all without it seeming intimidating or forced. Special thanks to the QUEST Corporate team for planning, especially the co-leads Carly Merwitz (Cohort 43) and Bhavini Pandey (Cohort 43), the alumni and recruiters that came and engaged with our students, and the QUEST staff that makes it all happen!