In this episode of Season Three, I’m joined by Dom Coppola, an alum who earned both his undergraduate and master’s degree from Nichols College. After completing his graduate program, Dom worked as a Graduate Assistant in Admissions before transitioning into risk management at an insurance firm.

Dom shares his career journey, what risk management work looks like on a day-to-day basis, and how his graduate school and campus employment experiences helped prepare him for the professional world. We also discuss practical advice for students considering graduate school, campus roles, or careers in insurance and risk management.

Topics include:

• Leveraging graduate school and the GA experience for career growth
• Transitioning from higher education to industry
• What risk management professionals do in insurance firms
• Career advice for students exploring business, insurance, or risk-related fields

In this episode, I’m joined by Amber Basso, an alum who works in recruiting to talk about what the recruiting profession looks like day to day—and what students should know if they want to stand out as candidates.

We discuss her daily responsibilities as a recruiter, common mistakes she sees students make, and best practices for resumes, interviews, and professional communication. We also spend time focused on career fair preparation, sharing timely advice for students as an upcoming Career Fair approaches.

Topics include:

• What recruiters do on a day to day basis
• How recruiters evaluate candidates
• Resume, Interview and follow up best practices
• Practacle tips for attending and navigating career Fairs

This episode is especially helpful for students who are preparing for a career fair, actively job searching, or simply want to better understand the recruiting process from the employer’s perspective.

In this episode of Season Three, I’m joined by two Criminal Justice alumni who have taken very different career paths—one now works as a lawyer, and the other works in Intelligence.

Together, they share insights into their respective industries, what their day-to-day work looks like, and how their Criminal Justice background helped prepare them for careers outside of traditional law enforcement roles. We also discuss the education, skills, and experiences that helped them get where they are today, along with practical career advice for students exploring options within (and beyond) Criminal Justice.

This episode is especially valuable for students interested in law, Intelligence, criminal justice, public safety, or alternative career pathways.

In this episode of Bison Breakthrough, I’m joined by an alum John Thomasina who began his career working in the finance field before transitioning into banking. Today, he serves as the President of a bank.

We talk through his career progression, how he made strategic moves within the financial services industry, and the experiences that helped position him for leadership. He also shares practical advice for students who are interested in finance, banking, and long-term career growth in this field.

This episode is especially valuable for students interested in finance, banking, accounting, economics, or business leadership, and for those who want to understand what long-term career growth can look like in financial services.

In this episode of Bison Breakthrough, I’m joined by Janina Messerlian, who works in her family-owned jewelry business, focusing on marketing, boutique events, and business operations.

Janina shares her experience on the Hill, her background in business, and how those experiences shaped her current role. We talk about what it’s really like to work in a family business, how marketing and events drive brand engagement, and the skills students should focus on if they’re interested in entrepreneurship, marketing, retail, or event-based roles.

This episode is a great fit for students who are curious about business ownership, marketing, event planning, and non-traditional career paths.

In the first episode of Season Three, I sit down with Devin Bailey, a professional working at the intersection of marketing and real estate. Devin shares her career journey, how she navigated transitions between industries, and the role transferable skills played in shaping her path.

This episode is especially helpful for students who are interested in marketing, real estate, sales, or business-related careers, and for anyone trying to figure out how to turn academic experiences into real-world opportunities.

In the final episode of Season 2, I sit down with Nichols alum Robby Binnall, who works in the Career Office at a State University in New York—helping students navigate the job search every day.

Robbyshares his own career journey and offers practical,proven strategies for students about to start applying forinternships, jobs, and post-grad opportunities. 

In this episode, we cover:

• Job search dos and don’ts from someone who reads student resumes daily
• How to approach networking, interviews, and follow-up
• Tips to stand out in a competitive job market
• Encouragement for students feeling overwhelmed by the process

This episode is the perfect sendoff to Season 2—full of smart advice, career coaching energy, and helpful reminders that you don’t have to go it alone. We hope you learn a little something – we will see you in Spring 2026 for Season 3 of Bison Breakthrough: From College to Career.

In this episode of Bison Breakthrough, we’re joined by MaryLynn Skarzenski—Nichols alum, former women’s basketball coach, standout student-athlete, and now a professional working in financial planning.

MaryLynn shares how her experience as a student-athlete shaped her mindset, built transferable skills, and continues to influence her career long after her last game.

We talk about:

• Transitioning from college athlete to life off the court
• Her path from coaching to financial planning
• The importance of networking in every phase of your career
• How student-athletes can leverage their experience in the job search and beyond

 If you’ve ever wondered what comes after your last game—or how sports can fuel long-term professional success—this episode is packed with real talk, encouragement, and insight.

On this episode of Bison Breakthrough, I catch up with my former CPDC colleague and Nichols College alum Danielle Eli, who now works in Learning and Development at a local bank.

Danielle shares how she transitioned into the L&D field, what her day-to-day looks like, and why ongoing learning is a key part of professional success—no matter your industry.

 We dive into:

• What Learning and Development really means in the workplace
• How employees can take ownership of their growth
• Advice for students on embracing lifelong learning
• How she found her path to a meaningful, people-centered role

If you’re curious about training and development or want to make the most of learning opportunities at work, Danielle’s insights will help you grow forward.

In this special episode of Bison Breakthrough, we welcome back Emma Murphy and James Singletary—two Nichols alums who made the bold decision to leave New England to pursue career opportunities.

We talk about what it was like to move away from home, how they handled the emotional and logistical side of relocation, and the life and career growth that came with taking the leap.

Topics include:

• What motivated their moves—and how they made it happen
• What it’s like to build a new life away from home and family
• How the move impacted their careers
• Tips for students who may be thinking about relocating for their first job

If you’re considering a move for your career—or just want reassurance that big changes can lead to big growth—this episode is full of relatable advice and encouragement.