Recent graduates of Immaculata University are quickly securing meaningful jobs and professional internships in their chosen fields. At Immaculata, student success extends far beyond the classroom and well past graduation. Supported by small class sizes, hands-on learning and personalized career guidance, students graduate ready to meet the demands of today’s competitive job market.
With a strong foundation of academics, practical experience and dedicated support, they are equipped to pursue careers that align with their passions, skills and goals. Whether starting careers in education, media, business, fashion, health care, science or any other field, Immaculata graduates like Lucy Salam, Alaina Gross and Ryan Straub are confidently stepping into the professional world, ready to make their mark and thrive.
Teaching with Purpose
Lucy Salam ’25, an education major with a psychology minor, always knew she wanted to work with children—and now she’s doing just that as a third-grade teacher at St. Bernadette’s School in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. Her role includes managing a classroom, tailoring lessons to meet student needs and teaching the Catholic faith—something she finds deeply rewarding as a practicing Catholic.
Though she describes her current position as a “dream job,” Salam knows it took more than luck to get there. She credits Immaculata’s education program for providing strong foundational knowledge, “Many of the education courses that I took at Immaculata prepared me for the fundamentals of teaching, such as lesson planning/designing, components of an IEP [Individualized Education Plan], differentiating instruction, and how to navigate the PDE [Pennsylvania Department of Education] website and learning standards.”
Taking initiative beyond the classroom, Salam sought out opportunities to connect with employers and navigate the job market. “Another position I was offered actually found me after I signed up for a virtual job fair—those can be great opportunities to start networking,” she says. For students interested in public school teaching, she also recommends staying up to date with district job postings. “Most of them use application systems like Frontline and SchoolSpring, so it helps to get familiar with those early on.”
But what made the biggest difference, she says, was her hands-on experience in real classrooms.
“Many of the education courses that I took at Immaculata prepared me for the fundamentals of teaching.”
Lucy Salam ’25
At Immaculata, weekly classroom observations for education majors exposed her to a variety of teaching styles and school environments. She says these visits allowed her to ask questions, witness how different educators managed their day-to-day responsibilities and imagine what her own classroom might one day look like.
Salam encourages current education majors to also pursue part-time roles in settings like daycare centers, after-school programs or as paraprofessionals. Gaining professional experience early not only boosts résumés but, as she puts it, “lets you put theory into practice”—helping reinforce what’s taught in lectures in a meaningful, real-world context.
Her advice for future educators? Find a path that excites you. Passion, she believes, is essential in the classroom.
Building a Career in Media
For Alaina Gross ’25, combining communication, English and several minors—including journalism and theology—gave her the flexibility to explore multiple interests. Today, she’s using those diverse skills as an assistant editor for American Community Journals’ Bucksco.Today, a digital news outlet.
In her role, Gross writes and curates local news stories, manages web content using WordPress and implements SEO strategies to expand readership. She began as an intern during her final semester and was offered a full-time position before graduation—a position she first learned about through Jeannine Zack in Immaculata’s Career and Professional Development Office. That connection led to a successful internship experience and ultimately a full-time job offer before graduation.
Reflecting on her time at Immaculata, Gross said, “I gained valuable lessons both in and out of the classroom that have truly helped me become the person that I am today. Through my classes, I learned how to hone and strengthen my writing skills and gained exposure to a variety of writing styles. During my time in my internship with the University’s Communications and Marketing department, I developed technical skills that I use every day in my current role.”
She too, emphasized the importance of embracing opportunities to grow as a student and as a leader. By immersing herself in campus activities and student organizations, such as serving as the president of the Business Club, she developed skills that have proved essential in her professional journey.
“My involvement in clubs and activities on campus allowed me to improve my leadership and communication skills, two qualities that are key in any career path. I’m incredibly grateful for the learning experiences with which Immaculata provided me, as they’ve allowed me to step into my career with confidence.”
Looking ahead, she hopes to continue her trajectory in digital media, with aspirations to step into an editorial leadership position that allows her to inform and uplift the communities she serves.
Calling the Action in Sports Media
Ryan Straub ’25 majored in communication with concentrations in digital media and public relations/journalism and minored in sports communication. He recently began the Ray Didinger Internship at SportsRadio 94WIP, one of the most prominent sports radio stations in the country.
The internship is a six-month program, providing hands-on experience in radio production during the Philadelphia Eagles NFL season. Responsibilities include screening calls, editing audio and video clips, logging and clipping live commercial reads, assisting with remote broadcasts, and helping prepare on-air promotions and social media content.
Straub also supports programming by posting podcasts, contributing research, and working directly with hosts and producers across the Morning, Midday and Afternoon shows. This role offers a mix of in-studio, remote and digital production work, providing broad exposure to many aspects of sports broadcasting.
He previously interned with two other major Philadelphia radio stations (92.5 XTU and 97.5 The Fanatic) and had the opportunity to do play-by-play commentary of Immaculata baseball games during the spring of his senior year. These high-profile experiences helped him develop the skills needed to stand out during the competitive interview process.
“My goal is to work in sports broadcasting—whether it’s play-by-play, color commentary, sideline reporting or even hosting a talk show,” he said. “Immaculata gave me the tools, time management skills and community support to pursue that.”
Straub said the small class sizes and close-knit community helped him develop essential social and communication skills needed in any professional field. It also allowed him to build strong relationships with professors, advisors, classmates and peers. As a two-sport athlete competing in men’s soccer and men’s basketball, he gained critical life skills, especially time management, which he said employers highly value and which prepared him for the demands of a career in media.
Career Preparation and Support at Immaculata
Behind every success story is a network of resources dedicated to helping students reach their goals—both during their time on campus and beyond. Immaculata’s commitment to student success is deeply supported by the Office of Career and Professional Development (CPD), located in Gabriele Library, which offers career resources for undergraduate and graduate students as well as alumni. CPD’s mission is to help students prepare for meaningful careers by building practical skills and creating clear pathways to employment.
CPD services include career counseling and assessments, résumé and cover letter reviews, mock interviews and interview preparation, job and internship search assistance, LinkedIn and networking strategies, and graduate and professional school planning.
“The Office of Career and Professional Development helps students take their first steps toward professional success by equipping them with the tools and confidence needed to enter the workforce,” said Heidi Harrison, director of CPD. Students or alumni interested in learning more can reach out directly to Harrison at hharrison2@immaculata.edu.
Throughout the year, the Office of Career and Professional Development hosts on-campus and virtual career fairs, employer information sessions, alumni and professional panels and industry-specific networking events — designed to help students secure job and internship opportunities.
Thanks in part to these efforts, 92% of the Class of 2024 were either employed or continuing their education within six months of graduation.
“Through individualized career coaching, resume development, interview preparation, networking opportunities and connections to internships and employers, we are committed to helping students see their potential and reach their career goals. Watching our students take those first steps towards their career and become successful after graduation is the most rewarding part of what we do,” said Harrison.
This strong foundation of career preparation is part of a larger culture at Immaculata— one that values not only academic excellence but also the development of well-rounded, confident individuals ready to make an impact in the world.
At Immaculata University, success is not just measured by degrees earned, but by lives launched. Students are encouraged to dream big—and to prepare thoroughly. With a blend of rigorous academics, hands-on experience and personalized support, they graduate ready to pursue meaningful careers that reflect their talents, values and goals.
From the first year on campus to the first job offer—and beyond—Immaculata provides the resources that help students thrive. For graduates like Salam, Gross, Straub and many others, the University wasn’t just where their education began—it was the launchpad for their future.
