SHU Appoints New Career Development Executive Director

Annie Suffredini has extensive experience helping students plot post-graduation paths

Sacred Heart University has promoted Annie Suffredini ’07 from director to executive director of career & professional development. In her new position, she is responsible for managing students’ professional opportunities and maximizing relationships with corporate partners.

“Annie’s experience in recruitment and professional development has benefitted the Center for Career & Professional Development over the past five years, so we are thrilled to have promoted her to executive director,” said Deanna Fiorentino, vice president of enrollment management. “Her determination for aiding our students in their career endeavors is remarkable.”

Suffredini graduated from SHU with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and then joined FactSet, a financial data and software company in Norwalk. As the company’s campus recruiting manager, she helped college graduates secure entry level positions. In 2018, she returned to SHU as director of career & professional development, for the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology.

In a question-and-answer interview, Suffredini discussed the benefits the Center for Career & Professional Development provides students.

Why should students use the resources from the career development office? What does this office offer students?

Studies show that students who take advantage of their college career center early on reported greater satisfaction in their choice of profession. We want students not only to be prepared, but also to stand out in the job market. The career & professional development office is here to assist every student with the transition from campus to career. We work with them throughout the exploration process: getting a résumé and cover letter together, preparing for interviews, advising them on the graduate school application process and helping them explore and find post-graduate options. We provide opportunities for students to network with employers and alumni through our career and internship fairs, alumni industry panels, mock interviews, job shadowing and mentoring.

How does the office work with community partners and businesses in and beyond Bridgeport and Fairfield to connect students to internships and jobs?

We provide our Handshake job portal to students and alumni, which enables them to connect with more than 850,000 employers who are actively hiring and filling internships across the globe. Whether students are looking for local opportunities during the semester or traveling in the summer to gain experience globally, we have the resources to help them.

What did you learn from the former executive director of career & professional development, Keith Hassell, that you are taking with you into this role?

Keith and I worked collaboratively the last five years, so he played an instrumental role in my professional development. He was committed to cross-campus collaboration and always putting students first, and those are philosophies I will continue to carry with me in my new position.

What are your primary responsibilities in this new position?

I will continue to focus on increasing student engagement and the quality and quantity of professional opportunities available through corporate partnerships, classroom engagement, hiring opportunities, job shadowing, mentoring, corporate visits and more. I am looking forward to working collaboratively with various offices on campus, such as undergraduate and graduate admissions, academics, the advancement team and others throughout SHU.