Seton Hall’s Annual Finance Networking Forum a Resounding Success

Seton Hall University's annual Finance Networking Forum, held on October 9, brought together a diverse group of students, faculty, alumni and industry professionals. The event, hosted by the Stillman School of Business and the Career Center, provided a valuable platform for networking and career exploration.
 
With over 140 students, over 50 professionals and Seton Hall alumni in attendance from financial services, banking and major corporations, the forum offered a vibrant atmosphere for attendees to connect and build relationships. The event provided an opportunity for students to gain insights into the latest industry trends, learn about potential career paths and discover job opportunities.
 
“My experience at the Finance Forum as both a career ambassador and a Stillman student was truly a full-circle moment,” Ronald Lopez, a sophomore accounting major, and career ambassador for the Career Center said. “I had the opportunity to support students who needed guidance in initiating conversations and building rapport—skills that I also looked [for] guidance for as a freshman.”
 
The Jubilee Hall Atrium served as the ideal venue for the event, providing a comfortable and welcoming setting for attendees to mingle and engage in conversations. The informal networking format allowed students to connect with industry professionals and gain helpful advice.
 
Employees who attended also shared a similar experience with students who attended the Finance Forum. Nicole Olaya, chief credit officer at Columbia Bank, and a Seton Hall alumna shared that she enjoyed her experience at the Financial Forum every year she has attended. Additionally, she shared that with every year she attends she focuses on recruiting applicants for the summer internship program and mentoring students at Seton Hall who are looking into the bank industry.
 
“I believe in lifelong learning and mentoring people, coaching people, [and] developing people. And even in my current role, that's one of my favorite parts of my job,” Olaya said. “That’s what I love about the Finance [Networking] Forum. I enjoy it for that reason. And it definitely meets my expectations. And I also think it gets better every year.”
 
Attending networking events like the Finance Forum has been a rewarding experience for both employers and students and Olaya testifies to that. She shared that last year's Finance Forum led to the hiring of an intern who worked in the treasury department at Columbia Bank, highlighting the success of networking in the forum event.

Attendees had the opportunity to speak with industry professionals and fellow students. Jose Miguel Castaneda, a senior marketing and information technology management major and career ambassador for the Career Center, said the Finance Forum was one of the best and most organized events he has attended at Seton Hall.
 
“The most valuable aspect for me was seeing everyone together. I was given the chance to network with some employers. Additionally, I also got to network with the students present at the event,” Castaneda said. The Finance Networking Forum is a testament to Seton Hall’s commitment to providing its students with the resources and opportunities needed to succeed in their chosen careers.
 
Castaneda shared that attending this event as an ambassador and as a student exceeded his expectations as he was able to both assist and participate in the forum. Olaya similarly shared that, she strongly endorses the forum, noting its value in recruiting interns and entry-level personnel, as well as providing opportunities for mentoring and professional development.
 
Olaya shared that Seton Hall has contributed to the success of her career, and attending events like these aided that. She advises students and future industry professionals not to limit themselves by their degree choices, emphasizing that the transferable skills she learned at Seton Hall can be applied to various industries.
 
“Be confident, don't be afraid to take a risk, because that's how I ended up where I am today. And execute everything that you do with excellence,” Olaya said.

Categories: Alumni, Business