Mother McAuley Career Day connects students with alumnae mentors

For one day each year, the gym at Mother McAuley High School transforms into more than just a place for games and assemblies, it becomes a gateway to the future.

On Friday, Feb. 7, students stepped into a world of possibilities as the school hosted its annual Career Day, an event designed to connect them with accomplished alumnae and industry professionals.

McAuley senior, Isabella Taylor, who is planning to major in political science, said being able to talk to experts in her anticipated field was incredible.

“This gave us the opportunity to meet people in their respective careers and learn about them first-hand,” Taylor, 17, of Chicago, said.

Maria McCormack Lappe, a 2016 graduate and the school’s associate director of alumnae relations, agreed that the event was about more than just job titles and company names. It was about showing young women what’s possible.

“As an all-girls school, Career Day at McAuley offers a unique space where students can see themselves reflected in the accomplished alumnae who return to share their experiences,” Lappe said. “This powerful representation emphasizes the idea that ‘if they see her, they can be her,’ igniting confidence and ambition in our students.”

Lappe believes events like Career Day are crucial for students as they prepare for the future, offering a chance to see firsthand the vast array of possibilities that lie ahead.

“It’s important for students to attend Career Day because it provides them with direct access to potential employers and a variety of industries, helping them to better understand what opportunities are available,” she said. “It’s a chance to network, ask questions, and make valuable connections that could lead to internships, jobs, or mentorships.”

With more than 80 professionals from industries including art and design, business, education, healthcare, law, STEM, and more, students will have the opportunity to ask questions, explore different career paths, and begin building connections that could shape their futures.

Representatives from Leo Burnett, Amazon, Feeding America, Merrill Lynch, PepsiCo, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the University of Chicago, Lincoln Park Zoo, Walgreens, Chicago Public Schools, UI Health, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, Cargill, Mars Wrigley, the Chicago Fire Department, and United Airlines were among those in attendance.

“It’s wonderful to be able to share our stories and to show students just how many options are available to them” Anna Pershouse, Physical Therapist and Athletic Trainer at Athletico Physical Therapy, said. “We are all here from so many diverse backgrounds.”

For many students, Career Day was more than just a day away from regular classes as well. It was a defining moment. Emily Mangin, a junior from Evergreen Park, found it eye-opening.

“What I liked most about Career Day was how we get the opportunity to explore all of the options, and most of all, speak to someone with experience,” Mangin, 16, said. “There are so many talents out there. There’s truly something for everyone.”

While students walked away with fresh inspiration, alumnae return to give back to the school that shaped them. Kathy Burns, a 1984 graduate and the chief executive officer of Aclaimant, credited the foundation she received at McAuley for much of her success.

“The rigor of the McAuley education served me well at Northwestern University,” Burns said. “I had the foundation and confidence to thrive at a highly competitive university. The overall McAuley experience was foundational to me being a successful entrepreneur, businesswoman, wife, and mother. The sense of self that was created and nurtured at McAuley was truly one of the most important aspects of my life.”

For Kelly Kolton, a 2001 graduate and senior marketing manager at Stout, McAuley helped her discover her passion for design.

“My art classes at McAuley allowed me to practice skills that I still use today in my marketing career,” Kolton said.

“I was fortunate to have a head start using Photoshop and other design programs, and my experience in those high school classes gave me the skills to explore graphic design and multimedia communications in college. My teacher, Mrs. Laird-Sorkis, saw my talent and passion for art and design and encouraged me to pursue it in college and potentially as a career.”

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