Jessica Mendoza, Staff Writer

Thanks to the Strommen Center, I had the opportunity to meet an Augsburg alumnus during spring break. The Auggie Take Out networking event paired current students with an alumnus working in a field they were curious to learn more about.

Once the short application, mainly asking about why applicants wanted to be a part of the event, was submitted, students were also required to attend a preparation session. The session was very helpful for students who have never had much exposure to the world of business etiquette and the dos and don’ts of what to wear and questions to ask. Even for students who have had experience with networking and being in professional settings, the session still provided helpful tips about making sure to research the organization the alumnus works for and following up with the person you met with in an email or a handwritten card.

I, along with another current Augsburg student, was paired up to meet with Matthew McEnery, a 2010 graduate in political science and legal recruiter at Russell
Tobin. We arrived early at the office in downtown Minneapolis and got a chance to wander around the skyways a little bit before we met with McEnery. The skyways were busy with people walking to the many places available to eat and shop. It was interesting to see the dynamic of having an office right in the middle of so much activity. After we introduced ourselves, he showed us around his office, and we got to see his breathtaking view from the 32nd floor. The alumni signed up for the event and agreed to take current students to lunch. McEnery suggested that we all walk to The News Room, a creatively themed restaurant with pictures of big newspaper headlines such as “Capone Cheats Death” and “Muhammad Ali Three Time Heavyweight Champion.”

Once we were all settled, we began to ask questions about his educational and career experiences. McEnery went to St. Thomas Law School after he graduated from Augsburg. He recounted his fond memories of the political science department and demonstrated Auggie pride by wearing a sweater with our logo. He described his role as a legal recruiter: finding a good fit for people with law degrees in corporations and organizations looking to hire new people. He also offered advice to undergraduates stating, “Students should take advantage of opportunities around them.”

I appreciated having the chance to ask about how his major aligned with his career path and what he felt he gained from it. As a first year, I found the Auggie Take Out event to be valuable in exploring a career I am interested in.

This article first appeared in the Friday, March 23, 2018, Edition of The Echo.