A photo was posted to recognize Rachel Cirelli as a panelist on Moves Forum. COURTESY/MOVESFORUM
By Angelina Perez, Engagement Editor & Arts and Entertainment Editor
Rachel Cirelli, director of the Center for Career Development (CCD) for the past nine and a half years, has decided to step down from her position following the twenty-fifth anniversary of the CCD mentorship program.
Cirelli told The Quadrangle the most rewarding part about her job was working closely with students, especially those whom she created a bond with. Cirelli said multiple students visited her frequently with questions and updates throughout the years.
“I think there’s some intimidation to visit career offices,” Cirelli said. “It’s not good to be directionless in college, it’s too expensive and takes too much time and effort. I recommend making an appointment with a career counselor – start to come up with a plan and don’t get hard on yourself. You don’t have to know why you’re coming, but as long as you’re trying to make the most out of your education or thinking about your career, that’s such a big intention.”
Cirelli continued to remind students to focus on themselves and keep their goals in vision as MC continues to go through many changes.
“It’s a challenge making sure that students focus on what’s important, which is themselves and utilizing their education to get a job,” Cirelli said. “We have to remember as administrators we’re here to take care of the students. It’s not [ a student’s] job to make me feel better. I have my support system.”
Cirelli announced to The Quadrangle that she will still be working as a career development director but with medical students at a hospital closer to home.
“I just turned 40 this year, and I had my first mammogram, and I found out I had breast cancer,” Cirelli said. “I ended up having to go through treatment, and I’m now cancer-free. We want doctors to take care of us but someone has to take care of them when they’re the most vulnerable. When they’re going through school, they are exhausted and battling their own demons.”
Cirelli had a goodbye message for both students and the college as she moves into a new phase of her career.
“I challenge the next generation of [students] to show the world all the different things Manhattan College students can do,” Cirelli said. “[Students are] winning fellowships, they’re becoming doctors, are involved in politics and a million more things. I want to thank [MC] for all the ways you helped me grow. I’m so different now than I was when I started, in a good way, and thank you for giving me the opportunity to experience and build my career here with all of you.”
Megan McShane, associate director of the CCD, reflected on Cirelli’s expertise in career development and told The Quadrangle what it was like to have her as a supervisor.
“Rachel is a person who leads with passion and knowledge,” McShane said. “She has made me a better counselor and empowered our team to do great work for the student body at Manhattan College. She truly cares for all students and has created a positive environment for students to gain professional development on campus. Rachel is just a great person to be around; she’s outgoing, funny, and kind.”
When asked to describe some of Cirelli’s actions to improve the center, McShane provided The Quadrangle with numerous accomplishments.
“She created and led incredible programs like the W.I.S.E. program, she brought Peer Career Advisors into our office, she has led many student meetings that have helped students land their dream role, and she’s developed and maintained relationships with employers that have been imperative to our students,” McShane said.
McShane attended MC as both an undergraduate and graduate student and later gravitated towards working at the center because of Cirelli’s impact on her when she attended the college.
“I not only worked with Rachel as an employee but as a Manhattan College student,” McShane said. “I am an alum of MC and had the opportunity to meet with Rachel for my own professional development when I was struggling with preparing for interviews…I remember leaving my meeting with her a few years ago feeling relieved and confident in my experience. She helped me find confidence in myself, which I will never forget.”
Adriane Bilous, Ph.D., assistant director for the Center for Graduate School and Fellowship Advisement, told The Quadrangle about her favorite moments working alongside Cirelli for over a year.
“[Cirelli] is one of my favorite people at Manhattan College,” Bilous said. “She brings humor and wisdom to everything she does and makes me laugh when I’ve had a hard day. She makes me think about how I serve students while always reminding me to stay true to our Lasallian mission.”
Bilous had the opportunity to witness Cirelli’s connection with her students and highlighted a particular memory when a student was able to go through a successful career change with hard work and her help.
“I asked Rachel to help guide a student making a big change in their career goals that impacted both her major, her coursework, and, most importantly, the kind of experience she needed to get into law school,” Bilous said. “Rachel worked closely with this student, helped prep her for interviews, guided her through building a resume, and provided a supportive ear when the student stumbled. Rachel has an incredible gift as she can push a student to set clear goals and strive for bigger opportunities while supporting a student when the going gets tough.”
In May of last year, Cirelli was honored by New York Moves Magazine with the Diversity Leadership Mentor Award for her leadership role in supporting and mentoring students at MC.
“Rachel Cirelli is not our best-kept secret anymore and she’s going to have a great impact on the next academic community she joins and the many students she supports,” Bilous said.
In 2018, Cirelli created the W.I.S.E. [Women Influencing Successful Enterprise] program to develop female leaders and to empower them to advance professionally through internships, training and collaborative projects. Today, more than 100 women have completed the program.
Cirelli helped curate weekly workshops and presentations, even providing students with some friendly competition to bring out their potential.
“One of my favorite memories working with Rachel was during W.I.S.E. Wednesdays over the summer,” McShane said. “I collaborated with Rachel on how to make my workshop the most engaging for students and she came up with an idea of making an interview competition for students like ‘American Idol’ where we had guest judges to lead interviews with students and the guest judges picked the top three interviewers to win prizes. This may seem intense, but it was a really positive experience and we led in a supportive way for the students. Rachel is a person who always puts the students first and this is an example of her coming up with an engaging way to teach students new skills.”
Bilous also added her remarks about Cirelli’s leadership with the W.I.S.E. program.
“The W.I.S.E. program will have a lasting effect on the lives of so many young women,” Bilous said. “I believe we will continue to see the impact it had on the lives of the women who participated in it for many years. Hopefully, these women will join the mentor program to continue supporting others like Rachel did.”
Bilous told The Quadrangle of Cirelli’s impeccable humor through rough times and left one last message for her dear friend.
“Rachel, you owe me some Girl Scout cookies,” Bilous said. “I’m looking forward to spending our summer sitting together in the sun and stuffing ourselves with said cookies.”
The Center for Career Development staff continues to give their best wishes to Cirelli as she thrives in this new chapter of her life.