The eight professional fraternities and sororities on campus hosted the first Professionals Week at Binghamton University this week.
“We figured this would be a great way for all of our members to come together to provide some professional resources for BU students,” said Professional Fraternity Council Treasurer Russell Salzman, “as well as kick back and have some fun ourselves.”
There will be career-related lectures in the fields of law, medicine and health, engineering and business, with a day dedicated to each field. Guest speakers were recruited from the community to help shed light on concepts such as business practices and going green.
An engineering forum hosted by Theta Tau and Alpha Omega Epsilon on Wednesday included a mini fashion show and a seminar about going green, green jobs in today’s economy and the advantages of investing in green initiatives. A BU graduate who works at BAE Systems, a global company engaged in the development, delivery and support of advanced defense, also spoke at the seminar.
“I enjoyed the entire lecture and the great advice the guest speaker had to offer,” Xiong Li, a freshman computer science major, said. “Not to mention the mini fashion show.”
The fashion show focused on professional business wear of the 21st century.
Angelo Mastrangelo, an adjunct lecturer in the School of Management, spoke Tuesday about his personal journey toward success. With an entrepreneurial focus, he gave students tips on how to create an efficient business plan and overcome risks while starting a business in today’s tough economy.
On Monday, Phi Alpha Delta, the pre-law fraternity, hosted a panel that discussed careers in law. Yesterday the pre-health fraternity, Delta Epsilon Mu, and the pre-med fraternity, Phi Delta Epsilon, also hosted a speaker, Garabed A. Fattel. The founder of a free community clinic, Fattel discussed how to provide health insurance for uninsured Americans.
There was also a week-long service project with the Broome County United Way, sponsored by Alpha Phi Omega and the other PFC organizations, in which BU students worked with the Boys and Girls Clubs to volunteer with children aged six to 15.
“We [the Executive Board of PFC] are proud to watch our initial success with the event unfold,” said President of the Professional Fraternity Council Daniel Levin. “We hope Professionals Week becomes an annual event that students in the general body will look forward to year after year.”
However, the professional fraternities and sororities aren’t just hosting educational and service events; they’re competing against each other for prizes, too.
Beginning at noon tomorrow, the eight fraternities and sororities will engage in a field day of competitive sporting events and games, along with various social events, to foster greater unity and friendship within the council.
Vice President for Student Affairs Brian Rose will deliver the week’s keynote address tomorrow at 5 p.m. in the Susquehanna Room.