The Educational Opportunity Center in Worcester annually serves approximately 1,500 low-income, first-generation adults who are interested in returning to school to further their education and careers.
Working in Worcester event exposes students to city
Release Date:
November 30, 2007 
Worcester, MA - Students from four Consortium institutions participated in the first ever Working in Worcester Open House, an afternoon of information and networking sessionsheld at the offices of leading Worcester companies.
The day began at City Hall where students were welcomed by Julie A. Jacobson, assistant city manager, in the council chamber. Timothy J. McGourthy, director of economic development for the city, gave a presentation on the numerous employment and social opportunities available in Worcester, the second largest city in New England. Noting that $1.6 billion of investment has been planned within the city, McGourthy commented that "Worcester is a great city for pursuing higher education. It's an exciting place with a great deal of opportunities." Other city presentations were given by cultural officer Erin Williams, training coordinator Pam Callahan, and Karyn Card of the health department.
The group then visited open house programs at Fallon Community Health Plan and Sovereign Bank. At Fallon, students met with Linda St. John and Lynne Herring of the human resources department. At Sovereign, the students met with Stephen Hesselton, human resources; John Merrill, Massachusetts market president; and Bill Bedford, senior vice president.
After the formal open house presentations, the students were given a taste of Worcester's cultural and entertainment offerings. The city's third annual Festival of Lights on the City Hall Common provided a festive backdrop for a networking social with area professionals at McFadden's restaurant. The evening wrapped up with a trip to the DCU Center to catch the Worcester Sharks of the American Hockey League take on the Hartford Wolfpack.
"I can't stress enough how much help this open house was for me," said Mark Pingeton, a senior business administration and management major at Worcester State College. "I had no idea how many internship opportunities were available and how much the city of Worcester is developing."
"I realized how close I was to an array of businesses in Worcester, and this event opened my eyes to the importance of college students developing their careers in Worcester," added Meghan Cassidy, a junior English and Spanish major at Assumption College. "This city has so much to offer from colleges, to eateries, to top-notch businesses, and this successful event allowed students to take a step outside their comfort zone and get a feel for life after college."