Bloomsburg University Students Prepare to Enter Workforce at Conference

Students at Bloomsburg University recently had the opportunity to network with dozens of alumni and other business leaders in learning about topics to prepare them to enter the workforce. The Zeigler Institute for Professional Development (ZIPD) Business Conference was held on campus Nov. 7 and 8 with hundreds of students participating. The Chamber and other local employers participated to help students in their development and make them aware of career opportunities in our area. 

Panel discussions and individual presentations focused on a wide range of topics including soft skills, ethics, personal branding, entrepreneurship, and specific career fields. Fred Gaffney, (’96) Chamber president, participated in several panel discussions and encouraged students to reach out to the Chamber to explore opportunities with local employers. Mary Howe, Director of ZIPD and former Chamber Board chair, regularly brings students to Chamber events to help them make connections and develop networking skills.

“One of our goals at the Chamber is to connect more local employers with Bloomsburg University, with the ultimate outcome that students will identify career opportunities and stay in our area. The ZIPD conference is a tremendous opportunity for students to make connections with potential employers,” said Gaffney “It’s also very gratifying to share experiences and knowledge with the students to assist them in their development.”

The conference was supported in part by SEKISUI SPI, main event sponsor.