Peter Bennett ’81: Director, Career Services
“My job is to make sure that Trinity students are focused, prepared and able to articulate and present themselves to the outside world with excellence,” says Peter Bennett, director of Career Services. He leads an eight-person department that shares his excitement and commitment to helping students lead meaningful lives upon graduation.
Bennett is well suited to his position. Before joining Trinity’s Career Services office, he spent 25 years in strategic and financial planning, and sales and marketing in the corporate and not-for-profit sectors, and holds an M.B.A. from Northeastern University. A Trinity alum, Bennett was often invited back to campus to help students practice their interviewing skills and polish their résumés.
Today, Bennett spends more than 30-percent of his time on the road meeting with prospective employers and Trinity alumni, who play a crucial role in recruiting and programming activities. They talk to students and help them understand how to differentiate themselves from hundreds of other bright young people vying for the same jobs.
Under Bennett’s leadership, Career Services provides one-on-one career advising and a full range of highly innovative and successful programs along with timely and relevant resources and guides to careers and graduate programs.
“I get the greatest joy when I hear from recent alums who have landed jobs they love, gotten into their ideal graduate schools, or who are simply pursuing the fields they’re passionate about,” says Bennett.
Breton Boudreaux '04: Assistant Director, Alumni Career Services and Program Development
Breton Boudreaux ’04 is 1 of 7 family members to attend Trinity. While at Trinity, Breton worked at both the Hartford Magnet Middle School, in the VAMP and Rising Star programs, as well as the Trinity College Boys and Girls Club. His major was economics and he minored in classical antiquity.
After graduation, Breton worked at Rumsey Hall School, where he taught both math and spanish. In addition to teaching, he coached soccer, basketball and baseball.
Breton then moved to New York City where he received his MA in economics and education from Columbia University. For the past five years he ran education and leadership development programs in the non-profit sector.
“I have always felt close to Trinity and was constantly looking to give back,” says Breton. In January 2012, the assistant director position drew him back to his alma mater. This position is aimed at developing and strengthening the relationship between the Career Services Office and Trinity alumni.
Breton also runs and coordinates the Bantam Success Series which allows sophomores to do early career exploration. Additionally, Breton is the pre-law adviser and works on creating partnerships in designated employment sectors that can lead to internship, job, and networking opportunities for students and alumni.
“The Trinity Alumni Network is something special. There are not many schools, of any size, with this type of dedication from the alumni. I am excited to help Trinity become one of the premier career services offices in the nation.”
Breton.Boudreaux@trincoll.edu
Linda Roy: Assistant Director, Operations, Internships, and Event Management
“The most rewarding part of my job is helping students find academic internships that spark their interest. They gain real-world work experience through internships in a variety of fields encompassing the arts, government, law, finance, technology, and community service,” says Roy.
As assistant director, Roy administers the academic internship program each semester. She works with area employers to maintain the current roster of credit bearing internships along with developing new relationships to expand internship opportunities.
In addition, Roy works closely with faculty and students to ensure a wide range of academic internships are approved and students receive credit.
Roy joined Career Services in 2004, working in various capacities, and was most recently promoted to assistant director when she took on the academic internship program.
Before coming to Trinity, Roy worked as a manager in insurance in the marketing and communications area. She holds a B.S. in finance from Central Connecticut State University.
Heather Hodge: Career Specialist
“There is no greater reward than helping a student move forward in the next phase of their journey, whether it is pursuing a career or furthering their education,” says Heather Hodge, career specialist.
Hodge began her Trinity career in August 2010. She helps develop, implement, and evaluate programs, advises and assists students in securing internships, summer and full-time job opportunities, and coordinates and markets programs such as career events and practice interviews.
“I like the fact that this office is focused on creating a team environment where everyone is focused on helping students identify and achieve their career aspirations,” adds Hodge.
Hodge brings several years of student career advising to her Trinity position. She holds an M.B.A. and a B.S. in business administration from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut.
Kacey Agnew: Career Specialist
Kacey Agnew joined Trinity’s Career Services Office in August 2010. In her position as a career specialist, she helps students obtain internships, summer and full-time jobs, and coordinates and markets programs such as career events and practice interviews.
“From the initial brainstorming to applying for jobs or graduate studies, I love the whole process of working with students to realize and find their path, whatever it might be,” says Agnew. “By working with Career Services, students can maximize their opportunities for growth through internships, workshops, community service, and many other experiences our office offers.”
Before joining Trinity, Agnew spent several years in academic counseling and advising for experiential learning at Western New England College in Springfield, Massachusetts. While there, she also developed and led a number of student community service initiatives.
Agnew earned an M.S. in psychology from Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts and a B.A. in psychology from Western New England College.
Jessica Turgeon: Receptionist and Administrative Assistant
Jessica Turgeon is the newest addition to the Office of Career Services, joining the team in March 2012.
Jessica’s role in the office is receptionist. Her duties include providing administrative assistance (answering phone calls and emails), managing the office'ssocial media presence, coordinating and overseeing student staff, and creating marketing materials and promotions for office events and programs.
Jessica is a 2011 graduate of Marist College with a
degree in communications, where she studied public relations and
journalism.
Debra Murphy: Information Assistant
Debra Murphy is the link between student and employer. She is responsible for frequent online updates regarding employer job listings, events, internships, and graduate school information.
As the office’s information assistant, she works closely with employers scheduling on-campus interviews and gathering necessary information to post job opportunities.
Murphy fields e-mail responses to postings and also coordinates and schedules student interviews with employers.
“My job helps to inform students of potential jobs and internships that are available, so that is how I help them to be successful hopefully. I connect them to interesting job opportunities,” says Murphy.
Murphy, who began her Trinity career in 2007, holds a B.S. in business administration from the University of Arizona.
(860) 297-2080