D'Alessio talks to students about "getting that first job"
Josh Kurtz
Issue date: 4/25/08 Section: News
Philadelphia businessman Walter D'Alessio spoke to Drexel students, faculty and staff April 24 about advice and information regarding the local job market at an event entitled "Getting that First Job."
D'Alessio currently serves as vice chairman of NorthMarq Capital and is also president and CEO of the company's consulting group, NorthMarq advisors, according to an event news release.
D'Alessio focused the first part of his speech on the United States' role in the world, saying that the U.S. is "an engine that's still working quite well."
The latter part of D'Alessio's speech focused on the Philadelphia area economy; specifically, D'Alessio discussed the education, healthcare and medicine industries, calling them "significant drivers" for the Philadelphia area.
Industries such as technology, energy, accounting, finance and security also have a strong hold in Philadelphia, according to D'Alessio.
He cautioned students to take a complete look at the job they are seeking, and to remember that salary is not the only factor a student entering the job market should examine.
"It's not how much you're going to earn - it's how much you're going to learn," D'Alessio said during the program.
D'Alessio, said he believes that his advice about the job market also can apply to the market for co-ops.
"The co-op program is absolutely unique and wonderful. … [It] adds a great deal of value to marketability" for Drexel students, D'Alessio said.
Of the students attending the program, many said they found D'Alessio's speech interesting.
"[The speech] inspired me to pursue a career in Philadelphia," Jesse Mark, a freshman majoring in business administration, said.
Mark said he learned facts from D'Alessio's speech that point towards an optimistic future for the local job market and economy.
Anthony Saputo, a junior majoring in business administration, said he was interested in D'Alessio's answer to a question about his biggest mistake in business. D'Alessio said there were some jobs he should have left earlier, even though he enjoyed them.
Saputo said he had not thought about careers in this way before.
D'Alessio's work with the City of Philadelphia includes 12 years as executive director of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, and 10 years as executive vice president of the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation, according to the event's news release.
Additionally, D'Alessio has been an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania for over 20 years.
University President Constantine Papadakis and Peter Franks, executive director of Drexel's Steinbright Career Development Center and associate vice provost, also spoke during the program.
D'Alessio currently serves as vice chairman of NorthMarq Capital and is also president and CEO of the company's consulting group, NorthMarq advisors, according to an event news release.
D'Alessio focused the first part of his speech on the United States' role in the world, saying that the U.S. is "an engine that's still working quite well."
The latter part of D'Alessio's speech focused on the Philadelphia area economy; specifically, D'Alessio discussed the education, healthcare and medicine industries, calling them "significant drivers" for the Philadelphia area.
Industries such as technology, energy, accounting, finance and security also have a strong hold in Philadelphia, according to D'Alessio.
He cautioned students to take a complete look at the job they are seeking, and to remember that salary is not the only factor a student entering the job market should examine.
"It's not how much you're going to earn - it's how much you're going to learn," D'Alessio said during the program.
D'Alessio, said he believes that his advice about the job market also can apply to the market for co-ops.
"The co-op program is absolutely unique and wonderful. … [It] adds a great deal of value to marketability" for Drexel students, D'Alessio said.
Of the students attending the program, many said they found D'Alessio's speech interesting.
"[The speech] inspired me to pursue a career in Philadelphia," Jesse Mark, a freshman majoring in business administration, said.
Mark said he learned facts from D'Alessio's speech that point towards an optimistic future for the local job market and economy.
Anthony Saputo, a junior majoring in business administration, said he was interested in D'Alessio's answer to a question about his biggest mistake in business. D'Alessio said there were some jobs he should have left earlier, even though he enjoyed them.
Saputo said he had not thought about careers in this way before.
D'Alessio's work with the City of Philadelphia includes 12 years as executive director of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, and 10 years as executive vice president of the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation, according to the event's news release.
Additionally, D'Alessio has been an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania for over 20 years.
University President Constantine Papadakis and Peter Franks, executive director of Drexel's Steinbright Career Development Center and associate vice provost, also spoke during the program.
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