Alumni share their success stories

4Ever Knights, the UCF student alumni association, hosted their annual Knights of Success for the fall semester at 6 p.m. Tuesday.  Three alumni were present to share their experiences in the job field, as well as provide tips on resumes, internships and job security.

The event centered on the business industry with this semester's honored guests being: Dianne Owen, the executive vice president in marketing for Fairwinds Credit Union, Karl Furno, a financial adviser for Mosaic Wealth Management Group and Heather Counts, the senior recruiter for Starwood Vacation Ownership.

The first 30 minutes of the night were reserved for a meet-and-greet, a chance for students to talk and get to know several of the 4EK student ambassadors over drinks and snacks.

Junior Alicia Greggs, one of the student ambassadors present at the event, described her success within 4EK and her hope that students can have a similar experience.

"I've already learned so much through planning events that correspond with my major. I have an alumni mentor through the program, and he's already set up some connections [for me]," the hospitality management major said. "I hope students are able to see what the 4EK can do for them, the connections that we do have and know who to contact in the future to build on those connections."

According to 4EK adviser and coordinator for alumni programs Karen Monteleone , 85 percent of 2011 college graduates were forced to move back home because they couldn't find a job, she said during her introduction speech.

Counts, one of the guest alumni, encouraged students to be hopeful for the future even in light of this statistic.

"The more experience that you can get now, [try] anything that you can get your hands in," Counts said. "Keep it as pertinent as you can. I think internships are hugely important. They're not as prevalent as they used to be, and I think that's part of the economy we're seeing. But don't be afraid to do things that don't pay anything. Don't be afraid to ask the older people in your life for help."

Furno, another one of the alumni guests, said that students should find a career, not based on the salary or the current job market, but one they have a passion for.

"From this point on, a third of your adult life will be working," Furno said. "Make it something you enjoy, make it something you're passionate about. That's a lot of time to do something chasing a paycheck. It's clear we don't do what we do for money. From a physical standpoint, money is the greatest liar. It promises happiness, joy, contentment. But there's a diminishing return with money: it doesn't satisfy."

A group of about ten students came out to the seminar to get a glimpse at the business industry and their future within it. Students were also automatically entered into a drawing for a free textbook scholarship upon arriving at the Fairwinds Alumni Center.

Junior Shaunte Thompson, a business management major, was the lucky awardee.

"I've never won anything before," Thompson said. "I thought it would be a good opportunity to talk to our alumni and find out different ways to get information. We have so many students here, and nobody really goes out to things like this. It's a good opportunity to get your foot in the door by talking to the people who came out."