Meaningful Connections

It is never too early to start networking and making connections. So it was essential for our graduating Saints to hear what Carolyn Malloy Rawls ’06, Senior Corporate Recruiter for SPX Technologies, had to say about it.

Carolyn drew from more than a decade of high-level recruiting and talent acquisition experience for her recent presentation, “Building and Leveraging Your Professional Network,” in Maguire Auditorium. She shared the advantages of building a strong network, tips for making a successful elevator pitch, the differences between online and in-person networking, and the best ways to present yourself on LinkedIn.

“Whatever stage you are in, connecting with your network gives you a pulse on careers, industries, and opportunities,” she said. “Your alumni connections open doors of understanding and future positions. Networking teaches you, inspires you, and advances you and your future.” 

Following her graduation from Canterbury, Carolyn earned a bachelor’s degree in Politics from New York University and an M.B.A. from Wake Forest University. She then embarked on a business and human resources career that included stops at Glencore in Stamford, Connecticut, and Allegia Global Solutions and BestDrive USA, both in Charlotte, North Carolina. Along the way, she took full advantage of the strong contacts and connections she had been cultivating to advance herself. 

Carolyn sharing her experiences helped bring the value of networking more into focus for the students in attendance. “Hearing about her networking journey was intriguing, and the fact that she is a Canterbury alumna made it that much more real for me,” said Riley McPhee ’23. “It was helpful to learn how her networking efforts actually resulted in jobs.”

Carolyn was quick to stress how lifelong connections are established as early as the high school years. “Your school is part of your brand and a key part of your network. It conveys your values and guides your mission,” she shared. “More than an identity, your alma mater is a shared experience that connects past, present, and future students. The Canterbury community is such a resource, and I highly encourage you to stay in touch with the people here.”