Christendom College recently welcomed graduates Seb Ghering ‘23 and Catherine Schmidt ‘24 for the first Life on Tap alumni networking series event of the fall semester, with both alumni speaking on their successful careers in fundraising. Hosted and moderated by the college’s Office of Career and Professional Development, the event offered an inside look at their profession and the role a liberal arts education can play in preparing students for careers in fundraising.
Seb Ghering ‘23 majored in philosophy and, after graduation, joined Dynamic Catholic, starting as a Development Associate in their Mission Team Call Center before being promoted to Team Leader. In the fall of 2025, he began serving as a Mission Impact Partner, or Major Gifts Officer, and now travels the country to share Dynamic Catholic’s mission with supporters.
Catherine Schmidt ‘24 majored in philosophy. Her student job as a Phonathon Caller on the College’s Advancement Team sparked a desire to work in philanthropy, and she has served as Christendom’s Mid-Level Gifts Officer since graduating. In her role, Schmidt serves as a liaison between benefactors and the College, facilitating gifts and sharing the impact of support with donors.
The alumni began the evening by delving into how they got into fundraising and worked their way into their current positions. They also spoke briefly about the differences between Advancement, Development, and Fundraising, before explaining what their day-to-day work looks like. While Ghering and Schmidt both work directly with donors, Ghering frequently travels the country to meet with donors personally, while Schmidt is primarily on-site, having phone conversations and occasionally welcoming donors to campus.
Ghering emphasized how his Christendom education prepared him well for his fundraising position, even though he had no plans while in college of pursuing a fundraising career.
“It was almost like as a Christendom grad, I was prepared for being a Major Gifts Officer just in the way that I was taught,” he said.
Both alumni highlighted how the written and oral communication skills and relationship-building that they gained in college were foundational to their fundraising work.
They also noted the importance of being grateful in the midst of their work, whether prospective donors ended up committing financially or not.
“I think a lot of it is just showing gratitude: getting to know them, thanking them,” said Schmidt.
Ghering agreed, explaining that the focus of donor interactions should first be developing a relationship, not securing a major donation.
“You’re not smooth-talking somebody into something. You don’t have to be the most polished person,” Ghering said, adding, “So when I’m in these conversations, it’s genuinely just getting to know them.”
The alumni agreed that truly listening to donors’ goals and passions was vital to building connections and relationships. Ghering and Schmidt also addressed the harder aspects of their careers, including the travel and the constant challenge of engaging meaningfully with donors.
In her advice to students interested in fundraising, Schmidt suggested becoming a student caller with the Advancement department, as well as delving into a variety of experiences.
“In general, aside from opportunities on campus, do and find experiences which make you a more well-rounded person, because you’re gonna connect with so many different kinds of people,” she advised.
Finally, the alumni reminded students to see fundraising as a ministry, not merely a professional necessity for companies and nonprofits.
“It really is a fulfilling thing,” said Ghering, adding, “Giving is a very large part of the spiritual life. You need to have some level of physical or financial generosity if you want to be a well-rounded human being.”
The event concluded with a Q&A, where students asked the alumni questions related to finding professional mentors, organizing donor information, and more.
Ghering and Schmidt’s experiences show how a Christendom liberal arts education can translate into successful fundraising careers. Through their study of the liberal arts and through the College’s many social opportunities, both alumni developed the organizational, multitasking, and written and spoken communication skills they now rely on in their work with benefactors. Their success is a testament to the strength of a Christendom liberal arts education in equipping its students for any career path they choose to pursue, regardless of their major.
Christendom’s Career and Professional Development Office offers opportunities to hear from alumni at Life on Tap at least three times a semester. Along with the series, the office regularly offers career workshops, opportunities to meet prospective employers, assistance securing internships, and other resources designed to help students explore potential careers and prepare for life after Christendom.
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View the full conversation below:
Contributed by Bridget Palm ’28.