With Commencement just over the horizon, Siena seniors are looking for jobs, and underclassmen are looking for internships. What exactly are employers looking for in candidates?
Laura Supan Bichun ’07, chief people officer at Brooklyn-based Chronograph, knows. She delivered the address “What Actually Gets You Hired (and What Doesn’t)" for the newly-named Sal Ilacqua ’50 School of Business Lecture Series.
“Obviously this topic is going to be top of mind for a lot of students right now,” she said. “It also helps to keep in mind that your career may be non-linear. Mine certainly has been.”
Bichun said employers like to see candidates who are curious, eager to learn, and who take an ownership mentality toward their work. Self-awareness also helps, as do any special personal or cultural add-ons you can bring to the table to set yourself apart. A major asset these days is knowledge about how to use artificial intelligence – knowing how it can be applied to your chosen field can give you a competitive edge in getting hired.
“You’re definitely going to get questions about AI in an interview, so be prepared,” she advised.
Employers usually give each resume they receive a 10-second glance, so make sure yours stands out with top-notch formatting and concise measures of your success.
“Keep in mind that you are interviewing the company as well,” said Bichun. “The questions should go both ways. Do your homework, then ask smart questions about the company’s biggest challenges, how success is measured, and how its culture could best be described.”
Grand-nephew Joe Ilacqua shared a few words on behalf of his family before the lecture. He said his great-uncle Sal understood that for some, “education wasn’t always easy to access, but when it could be attained it was life-changing.”
Sal Ilacqua, known throughout his distinguished career as “the dean of oil analysts,” studied finance at Siena on the GI Bill at after serving in the U.S. Navy in World War II. Ilacqua, who passed away in 2012, always credited Siena with laying the foundation for his professional success. His family’s gift will permanently endow the lecture series, securing long-term engagement with accomplished alumni and industry leaders who bring real-world insight and mentorship to Siena students. His transformational gift will also fund scholarships for students with demonstrated financial need, with preference for first-generation students. Additionally, Student Opportunity Funds within the School of Business will support students in advancing their academic study towards professional certification.
“I think the series is important because it gives students a unique opportunity to gain knowledge they otherwise would have never known,” said Christian Baier ’26. “Students are able to learn real, relevant knowledge from professionals that were once in their shoes as students. The lectures provide not only valuable information, but help guide students into their working careers by learning about a wide range of industries.”
Kelly-Lynn Baumert ’28 agreed that the lecture series provides realistic, beneficial advice as students prepare to launch their careers.
“This lecture specifically allowed me to realize that an interview works both ways,” she said. “I want to find an employer that is the best fit for my morals and values. I also learned various ways to make my application and interview stand out against other candidates in a world that is increasingly utilizing AI.”
Mea Amedio ’27 said she appreciated Bichun’s emphasis on “the importance of authenticity, preparation, and communicating your value with confidence and clarity in an interview.”
“The Ilacqua Lecture Series is an incredible asset to Siena,” she said. “The School of Business is intentional about bringing influential, mission driven alumni and industry leaders to campus, and those conversations meaningfully shape how we prepare for our careers.”
“The Ilacqua series gives students the chance to hear industry leaders discuss not only their journeys, but how to be prepared for an ever-changing market. Attending these lectures will not only help you gain knowledge from industry experts, but you can also walk away with connections you can't find anywhere else,” said Kenneth Morris ’26.