In a normal job search environment, the process of navigating a path towards full time employment can be challenging for young adults. On the tail end of a pandemic, this task is daunting, to say the least.
The Philadelphia Chapter of the Wrestlers in Business Network realizes the predicament many young professionals are currently experiencing. With this in mind, the Events Committee of WIBN Philadelphia created a virtual career fair held online this past Wednesday evening.
Cole Urbas, a student-athlete at the University of Pennsylvania, took full advantage of the opportunity to get advice and begin networking with industry experts in his fields of interest.
“The virtual job fair was a great opportunity to connect with wrestlers in the professional world,” says Urbas, an NCAA National Championship qualifier. “I walked away with perspective, guidance, and mentors to reach out to for further networking.”
The event was held through a Zoom call and featured industry experts from five different fields. Construction and Manufacturing, Finance, Technology, Real Estate, and Health Care were all represented in the hour and a half networking event.
Zachary Pierce, Senior Managing Director of Multi-Family Capital Markets for Berkadia, was a presenter for the Real Estate portion of the event. The former Upper Darby High School wrestler, who has had a successful entrepreneurial career, understands the challenges many people are facing.
“It’s great to be able to help young people figure out a potential career path as early as possible,” he says. “So many meaningful decisions about the future are asked of young people at such a young age. These decisions also come with financial ramifications in the form of student loans etc. By getting involved early and helping them get exposed to a number of different career paths, it helps to educate them on where they should focus their choice of classes and internships so they can be prepared to hit the ground running coming out of college.”
As the regional economy slowly opens its doors towards emergence and recovery from the pandemic, networking and developing relationships has become paramount. Those seeking employment are trying to make connections. While pursuing the start of their professional careers, young people, who are eager to learn from and interact with industry leaders, will be steps ahead of their peers who may not have followed opportunities presented to them.
Drexel University student-athlete, Evan Barczak understands. “Last night I had the pleasure of attending WIBN’s first career fair,” say Barczak. “It was an excellent opportunity to expand my knowledge in my future career path.”
Wrestlers are a different breed. Hard work and perseverance are the normal tendencies of those who have stepped inside the circle of competition. They understand that nothing of value comes easy and are willing to put in the effort to reach their personal goals.
“It was great to meet like-minded individuals who love the sport of wrestling as much as I do but are also successful in their chosen careers,” Barczak, a 2021 NWCA Academic All-American offered. “I look forward to future events!”
Thomas DelRossi, another former Upper Darby High School wrestler, was a presenter in the Construction and Manufacturing portion of the networking event. DelRossi is the Director of Commercialization and Project Management at Puratos, a world leader in food production.
He had this say about his evening online, “Great event by WIBN Philadelphia, starting connections that will last a lifetime. So proud to be a small part of such a large organization focused on helping others.”
The mission of the Wrestlers in Business Network is to build a community that serves as a platform to connect the members and facilitate business and job opportunities across the nation by leveraging a talent rich pipeline of wrestling alumni, with the ultimate byproduct of increasing reinvestment back to the sport.
WIBN is represented throughout the country, but it is the Philadelphia Chapter that is leading the way with membership and networking. With over 230 active members, WIBN Philly is growing in numbers and, consequentially, in networking opportunities.
Anthony Stagliano, Jr is the Head Wrestling Coach at Wissahickon High School. He’s also a Board member of WIBN Philadelphia and part of the Events Committee for the chapter.
“I represented my Real Estate company, Compass, and shared my thoughts on the real estate business,” he says.
“One of the main charters of our organization is networking and it was nice to be able to network with these young college students and to give them some advice as they move on to the next phase in their careers.”
Having a virtual career fair, with little time for participants to interact, was difficult according to the organizers involved. However, wrestlers are always ready for a challenge. The event went off without a hitch.
WIBN Philadelphia has more networking events planned for the future. As the local economies slowly open, the Board feels that more opportunities to meet in person will emerge.
“We’re already planning our next event,” says Mike Medrow, WIBN Philadelphia Events Co-Chairman. “It will be live and in person!”
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