Take advantage of multiple internships, Cornell Career Services and networking events. Make personal connections with people and employers. Make sure you have passion and drive for your career and life goals. Don't limit yourself to networking with people only from your own race or sex.

This was some of the advice several minority Cornell alumni shared with students at a panel discussion in Goldwin Smith Hall Nov. 7.

More than 25 students and staff attended "Life After Cornell: The Minority Career Perspective," moderated by Olamide Williams '10.

Panelist Alicia Purcell '07, who holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the College of Architecture, Art and Planning, said that when she first got to Cornell she didn't know what career she wanted. "I was confused. I just didn't know what I wanted to do," she said. "But I did know I had to try every single outlet to narrow down [my choices]."

This led her to pursue numerous internships and externships during school breaks in such areas as hospitality and fashion. She even took time off from school to investigate her interests. Now, as an owner of several restaurants in New York City and Connecticut, she feels this exploration was an important part of her journey: "You do have to go and try every avenue because otherwise you will never know," she said.

These sentiments were shared by everyone on the panel, including Omar Almanzar '04, assistant district attorney for Suffolk County, N.Y., who holds a B.S. in policy analysis and management.

"I had a whole slew of internships," he said, "but the way I found out I wanted to be a criminal prosecutor was [during an internship when] I went and watched an actual criminal trial in Manhattan. I was blown away once I saw that. I knew that's exactly what I wanted to do."

Panelist Khary Barnes '02, an ILR School graduate who holds an MBA from Harvard University, said students, along with working hard, should enjoy and appreciate their Cornell experiences.

As an undergrad, Barnes served as a student-elected trustee and was elected co-president of his class. But he said his involvement -- or sometimes overinvolvement -- did not allow him much time to "enjoy the moment and the people in that moment" while he was at Cornell. Only later did he realize that some of his closest friendships and best experiences came during his time at Cornell.

The event was sponsored by the Cornell Alumni-Student Mentoring Program, Cornell Career Services, Office of Minority Alumni Affairs and the State Programs Office.

Graduate student Marcus Walter is a writer intern at the Cornell Chronicle.