Students at St. Francis Xavier University had the opportunity to look beyond the classroom and into the realities of post-grad careers on April 7, during a Women in Tech and Business panel designed to connect them with professionals across a wide range of industries.
The event, hosted by the Women in Technology Transforming Society (WiTTS) brought together students eager to explore career pathways in business and technology, offering a candid look at what life after university can look like, says WiTTS executive, event co-organizer and StFX student Allie Fennell.
Fellow student, WiTTS executive and co-organizer Lily Brown said the panel drew strong engagement from attendees interested in gaining practical insights and making meaningful connections with professionals already established in their fields.
The panel featured a diverse group of speakers: Christina Marchese, Marketing & Events Coordinator at CSB-System; Sydney Calenda, Bilingual Back Office Coordinator at Würth Canada; Celeste Chiasson, Global Director of Communications and Patient Advocacy at Novartis in Basel, Switzerland; Sabrina Sylvestre, Talent Manager for the Early Careers Actuarial Portfolio at Sun Life; and Maria Khattak, Staff Accountant at Deloitte.
Throughout the discussion, panelists reflected on how their careers evolved, often in unexpected ways. Rather than following a straight, predetermined path, Ms. Fennell says many described taking advantage of opportunities as they arose, emphasizing adaptability and openness as key traits for early-career success.
She says networking and confidence-building emerged as central themes. Panelists encouraged students to actively seek connections, step outside their comfort zones, and develop a strong sense of professional identity. Practical advice included how to stand out in competitive job markets, make effective use of LinkedIn, and navigate common workplace challenges.
A particularly timely topic was the growing influence of artificial intelligence across industries. Ms. Brown said panelists agreed that while AI is reshaping the nature of work, it should not be viewed as a threat. Instead, panelists emphasized the importance of learning how to leverage these tools effectively, suggesting that those who adapt will be best positioned for success.
Beyond career advice, Ms. Fennell said the event underscored the importance of mentorship and open dialogue between students and professionals. It highlighted WiTTS’ ongoing role in creating supportive spaces for women pursuing careers in business and technology, where experiences can be shared and future possibilities explored.
The panel was organized with additional support from student and WiTTS president Sarah Beaton, in collaboration with Professor Melanie MacCaig of the Management Information Systems Department.
