On Wednesday, August 6th, the Emmanuel College McCafferty Career Center hosted its Certificate Dinner Reception to celebrate the conclusion of the 2025 Professional Pathways Program.
Liz Deren, Director of Career and Professional Development in the McCafferty Career Center, offered opening remarks by welcoming the third cohort of the Professional Pathways Program as well as employers and past participants.
This program allows all Emmanuel College undergraduate students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through internships at Boston-based nonprofit organizations with the hope to provide Emmanuel students with equitable access to explore career possibilities across industries while developing valuable professional skills.
Thanks to the generous support of the Yawkey Foundation, each student received a $2,000 stipend, with the option to live on campus during the program, removing barriers to participating in summer internships in Boston.
Chelsea Rose-Dunham, Senior Associate Director of Employer Engagement, took a moment to thank our employer partners who she maintained relationships with while also adding new sites to the program. Her efforts ensured summer internships for our largest cohort yet including 14 students across 8 Boston-based employer partners:
- 826 Boston
- Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD)
- Boston Debate League
- Boston Health Care for the Homeless
- Fenway Community Center
- Sociedad Latina
- The Food Project
- The Home: Youth on Fire
A Redesigned Celebration for a Growing Program
This summer, we reimagined the Certificate Dinner Reception to create an even more dynamic and engaging experience. Students, employer partners, and McCafferty Career Center staff gathered for:
- Small roundtable discussions designed to foster deeper connections
- Conversation prompts to guide meaningful reflection
- Past participants were invited to share advice and build community
- A keynote speaker to set an inspiring tone for the evening
The energy in the room was warm and celebratory as students connected with employers and staff to reflect on their summer internships and consider how these experiences would impact their next steps in their own career journey. It was an evening filled with reflection, professional connection, and inspiring career stories.
Spotlighting Our Keynote Speaker: Charlotte Pension
The highlight of the evening was our inaugural keynote address from Charlotte Pension, Career Exploration & Internship Specialist at the New England Aquarium. Charlotte brought a vibrant mix of humor, honesty, and encouragement, by sharing her own career journey.
From earning a BFA at Emerson College, to an MFA in Theatre Management at Florida State University, and her leadership roles at institutions such as ArtsEmerson and the American Repertory Theater. Drawing from her own path through the nonprofit and cultural sectors, Charlotte spoke about:
- The unexpected turns that can lead to fulfilling careers
- The importance of curiosity, adaptability, and resilience
- How young professionals can stand out by embracing growth opportunities, even the unplanned ones
Her words seemed to resonate, offering reassurance and motivation as students continue their professional journeys.
Honoring the Participants
In addition to the competitive application process, and their work at these sites, students participated in a professional development course led by Kristen Fraser, Associate Director of Career and Professional Development, where they discussed workplace success, deepened networking skills, and narrowed their future plans and career focus.
Following the keynote, each student in attendance was recognized as they received their Certificate of Completion.
Looking Ahead
The evening ended with photos and meaningful conversations between our guest speaker, students, site supervisors, and Career Center staff – proof that the program not only builds skills but also professional connections.
The Professional Pathways Program continues to grow, both in size and in impact. We are grateful to our students, employer partners, and the Yawkey Foundation for making this experience possible. Most importantly, we celebrate the 2025 cohort, and we look forward to seeing where their paths lead next!
Employers, Staff and Students
