On February 28, Christendom’s Career and Professional Development Office hosted its first Life on Tap of the spring semester. Alumni John Paul Gutschke ’23, Brian Hicks ’22, Maesa Vicente ’23, and Mary Clare Young ’22 shared their insights with the student body about their successes working in various careers and attending graduate school.
Gutschke is currently working for LifeSiteNews as a videographer/editor, traveling both nationally and internationally to create videos and mini-documentary films. Brian Hicks is a Licensed Public Adjuster and Claims Support Associate at ClaimStar Public Adjusting. Maesa Vicente is pursuing her passion for politics by working for the Young America’s Foundation. Finally, Mary Clare Young is a second-year graduate student at the University of Virginia, pursuing a PhD in Classics.
Life on Tap is typically focused on one specific career field, such as project management; however, this event was unique because the only similarity between the alumni was that they all graduated within the past two years. By inviting recent graduates, the student body was able to learn about their different careers in addition to practical advice, such as budgeting and realistic expectations for life after college.
Though each of the alumni works in different fields, they all encouraged students to take advantage of their time at Christendom by using the resources available to them through EFL and Career & Professional Development. Gutschke recalled the experience he gained while working for Christendom’s marketing team which aided him greatly in his career as a videographer and filmmaker. Maesa recommended searching and applying for the many internships that Christendom has connections with. All four alumni emphasized the many applicable skills they learned through their Christendom education. They all expressed their gratitude for the required EFL courses, which taught them budgeting, salary negotiation, how to interview, and many other professional skills. Young also mentioned how the Rome semester was crucial to developing everyday life skills which she practices now as a graduate student living on her own for the first time.
The Christendom liberal arts curriculum, far from limiting its graduates in their future careers, opens the door to a world of possibilities in every major field. Through the study of the Catholic liberal arts, Christendom’s students encounter a universal study of knowledge – through mathematics, history, literature, classics, and political science – unified by the central role of philosophy and theology.
The Life on Tap series connects successful alumni in various fields with current students, demonstrating the paths that countless alumni have taken to succeed after graduating. The Career and Professional Development Office typically organizes three Life on Tap events every semester which are open to all students.