On Thursday, November 6, Merrimack College’s O’Brien Center for Career Development held their 16th Professional Development Retreat (PDR), welcoming 70 students, dozens of employers and professionals from a variety of industries.
This year’s PDR was a one-day format, making it more accessible for students to fit into their schedules. Employers and alumni joined to offer guidance by leading workshops, attending panels and mentoring students through the day’s activities. Group Advisor Brian Roosevelt ’94 noted, “I was highly impressed by the Merrimack students.”
Alumni panelists who returned to campus for the event shared their unique perspectives and experiences with current students, relishing the chance to return to campus and give back to the Merrimack community. In one panel called “Grad School vs. Workforce,” the discussion focused solely on choosing a path after graduation, a top-of-mind question that many students face.
Throughout the day, students had the opportunity to strengthen their professional identities by highlighting their current skills and being open to continued growth. A new segment debuted this year called “Ask A Professional,” where students asked employers directly about their insights on the hiring process. They also heard from industry professionals on various topics such as building a professional brand, strengthening interviewing skills and how to showcase themselves to employers.
To conclude the day, students put their new skills into practice during the networking reception, where all PDR attendees come together and engage organically. It’s not uncommon for students to make connections at this event that end up turning into internships and job offers down the line. Alicia Towne ’26 said, “I left feeling not only more confident in my abilities to interview and network, but more confident in my future endeavors post-graduation.”
As a result of the PDR, students felt 47% more confident in their knowledge on interviewing and what employers are looking for. June Doerr ’28 said, “From mastering my professional presence to hearing from incredible guest speakers, I learned how to communicate with impact, present myself with confidence and stand out in the competitive job market.” If you missed it this year, the PDR will return in fall 2026.
A note from the O’Brien Center: Thank you to our sponsors. Without your support, the PDR wouldn’t be possible: James A. Hogue, Jr. ’99 and Elizabeth Yekhtikian and the Deloitte Foundation; Gray, Gray & Gray, LLP; Enterprise Mobility; Northwestern Mutual – Northern New England; Michael J. Loiacano ’95 and Susan E. Loiacano.
