Atlanta Program Helps Students Discover Heart of the South

It was an exciting spring for Syracuse University in Atlanta, as alumni and friends welcomed 14 students from the College of Arts and Sciences to their city for its inaugural immersion program. The trip combined a variety of cultural activities with visits to prominent Atlanta-based companies—giving students a true sense of the benefits to living and working in Atlanta, and the region’s strong Orange ties.

Emily Matthews ’17, a political science major in the College of Arts and Sciences, listens to Atlanta-based alumni discuss career opportunities for graduates.

Sponsored by the Atlanta Regional Council, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Office of Career Services and generous Discover Atlanta donors, students met with industry leaders and alumni from companies like the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Coca-Cola Company, First Data, GE Power & Water, Georgia-Pacific, Google, and Turner Broadcasting. At each visit, alumni discussed how a liberal arts education prepared them for career success, shared networking advice and provided tips to develop critical skills for the business world. View our photo gallery.

Students also learned about internships and entry-level opportunities at each company, and the trip is already proving its value. Tennazha Bradley ’16 hoped to find a summer internship in Atlanta and landed an interview at First Data during the trip. Olivia Johnson ’16, a student majoring in political science, African American studies, and newspaper and online journalism, is now working with a professional recruiter thanks to alumni connections she made from the trip.

“I’m ecstatic for the opportunity to have a real head start at applying for jobs after graduation, and it’s all because of Atlanta’s SU network,” Johnson says. “I’m so grateful to all the alumni helping me!”

The benefits of Discover Atlanta are mutual. Alumni are thrilled to share professional insights and what they love about their city, recognizing that every Syracuse student who pursues a career in Atlanta makes the Orange network even stronger.

“I remember that feeling of wanting to get out and have an impact right when you graduate, so I think the ability to have those kinds of discussions at this stage—right as you’re getting into your career—is very exciting,” says Joe Anis ’94, vice president of global sales for GE Power & Water.

Henry Brent ’81, manager of account development for American Express, agrees. “I wish I had this when I was a student—for the kids to be immersed in various fields, to get a feel and flavor for an area that’s a huge city within the United States. We have over 300 of the Fortune 500 companies here with offices, and over 20 headquarters of companies. I think that Atlanta is an incredibly prime area for anyone considering a career.”

“These kinds of programs—where students interact with people from the community, alumni and executives—add a lot of value and give them a lot of perspective,” says Rey Pascual ’85, SU trustee, chair of the Atlanta Regional Council and partner at Paul Hastings LLP. “We have almost 4,000 alumni in Georgia, and we hope to have more.”

The story was written by Carri Anne Prue. The video was produced by Amy Manley.