It was a room filled with energy and ambition as Georgia Gwinnett College students met with area employers, alumni and mentors during the college’s recent Grizzly Networking Night.
Hosted by the college’s School of Business (SBA) and School of Science and Technology (SST), the event drew more than 80 students who had their eyes on the future as they broadened their professional networks and learned about career opportunities.
“Grizzly Networking Night helps students become comfortable in a professional setting, which is essential for career readiness,” said Ben Hines, program engagement associate at GGC and one of the organizers of the popular campus event. “It also strengthens our ties with local businesses and community partners who are eager to support GGC talent.”
Among the attendees representing local businesses was Lydia Scherholz, recruiting coordinator at Majors Management, who recounted the value of events like Grizzly Networking Night.
“We’ve hired multiple interns from GGC, and even hired some full-time after their graduation,” she said. “We really appreciate the events GGC hosts because it’s a way for us to meet students who are either ready to step into their career, or they’re freshmen or sophomores looking to build the confidence to eventually find that first internship.”
GGC alum Darrick Alvarez, now director of civic engagement at Atlanta-based nonprofit organization GALEO, reflected on his own experience at GGC and why he chose to give back through this event.
“During my time as a student, I felt GGC provided many opportunities to get to know local professionals and leaders and get us connected with Gwinnett County,” he said. “Now that I've graduated and I work in the county, I love to be able to come back to these events to meet other professionals and hopefully plug students into the work I'm doing.”
The Grizzly Networking Night was part of GGC’s ongoing commitment to student success and community engagement, reinforcing the college’s role as a hub for opportunity in Gwinnett County and beyond.