New Career Services Director Forges HSPH-Industry Relationships
Peter Crudele, director of career services at Wentworth Institute of Technology for the past 16 years, would regularly apply for a variety of jobs--sending out resumes and going on interviews. It wasn't that he was actually seeking a change in employment, but rather that as someone charged with advising others on the arts of job seeking, he believes that active engagement in the process enables him to offer students current, sound advice.
To be a good career counselor, he says, "it doesn't really help students to tell them how job seeking was done 20 years ago. They need to know how it's done today and how they should do it tomorrow."
To his surprise and delight, one of these job-seeking exercises produced a job offer too good to refuse: director of career services at HSPH.
Peter Crudele, the school's new director of career services, encourages
students to stop by for a visit to his office in Kresge G-29.
Crudele joined the school just a few weeks ago and he immediately got busy. One of his first goals, he says, is "to bring more companies to the campus to give presentations about career opportunities and form relationships with the school and its students." Evidence that Crudele is more than simply talk is already clear: Bristol-Myers Squibb visited the school in early October, drawing more than 30 interested students--a turnout that so pleased the company representatives that they are already planning a return visit in the spring. Towers-Perrin, a healthcare management consulting firm, visited the school on October 28; and invitations to over a thousand other companies are being sent out this week.
For the most part, he says, "HSPH hasn't been very aggressive in establishing relationships with companies." The school's students have had to rely on the Harvard name and the quality of their education to help them find jobs. Both of these are beneficial, of course, but he hopes to ease the matchmaking between HSPH student and potential employer by hosting the companies at the school where they can meet the students and collect resumes.
Another of Crudele's goals is to meet with students: "I'm here to provide service to students," he said. "If I'm going to be of real help, I need to know what services students want." In the near future, he hopes to meet with some of the school's student groups to discuss career services options. He also encourages people to drop by his office (Kresge G-29) or to call (432-1719) or send him email (pcrudele@hsph.harvard.edu).
Finally, the office maintains a career resource library in Kresge G-29. Resources include collected job listings, background literature on companies, information on fellowship and internship opportunities, and more.
Next spring, an old favorite returns when the Career Fair comes back after a year off. The fair will feature numerous potential employers of HSPH students ready to dispense information and collect resumes.
Crudele recommends that career-minded students not wait for the Career Fair, however: "It's important that students investigate their options early, rather than waiting until near graduation time." Now is the time to plan for the job you want and how to best position yourself.
When not helping students find fulfilling work, Crudele exercises his mind and body by reading mystery novels and working out at a gym. "I put most of my energy into my job," he said, "so when I get home I'm pretty mellow."
Jeannette Gerzon, who managed career services for the school during
the search that ended with Crudele's appointment, remains with the office
as an assistant director. Assistant Dean for Students, Robin Worth, said
of Gerzon: "Jeannette served our students and provided for their
career services needs wonderfully during the office's year of transition.
The school is grateful to her for her near-solo effort during the past
year and we're very happy that she'll be continuing with the Office of
Career Services."
