Penn State York students will have the opportunity to network with business professionals in a variety of career fields during a networking event on Tuesday, Oct. 6, featuring Brian Baker, the former “Sprint PCS Guy.” The event begins at noon in the Conference Center of the Main Classroom Building.
“The Penn State York networking event is an excellent way for students to meet business professionals,” said Dina Wulinsky, career counselor at Penn State York. “Students can meet professionals in an informal setting and ask questions to learn more about jobs in their field of interest."
A graduate of Penn State in 1990, Baker will talk with students about his experiences breaking into show business and what he had to do to be where he is today. Baker has seen the many crazy sides of of show business. He began his acting career at Chicago’s famed The Second City Improv Theater and was a founding member of Seanachai Theatre Company, a troupe that focused on Irish dramas. He is probably best known as the Sprint PCS Guy, having appeared in more than 150 commercials for the company and numerous appearances, including the Tony Awards. He also has appeared in hundreds of other commercials, including spots for Disney World, Nike, Hardees, Rold Gold Pretzels, Jiffy Lube and the American Wallpaper Council. His television credits include guest starring roles on "The West Wing," "The Drew Carey Show," "Providence," "Hidden Hills" and "The Division."
In addition to Baker, area professionals representing career fields including business, engineering, nonprofit organizations, government, health care, sales and marketing, science, finance, education, and information sciences and technology will meet and talk with students about their career and what it takes to get a job.
Students will travel from table to table and visit with professionals in their fields of interest and network during lunch in a low-key environment. Speakers include W. Alan Snook, business/management, Maximum Business Consulting; Penny Barton, business/human resources/marketing, SPHR, branch manager/HR manager, J&J Snack Foods Corp.; James Abrashoff, engineering, Wilbur Smith Associates; Chris Beaverson, nonprofit organizations, senior division director, American Heart Association; Patrick Dennis, government, manager, Mechanicsburg Borough; Carolyn Darr, science, program director, clinical lab science program, York Hospital; Dennis Baughman, education, coordinator of the master of education in teaching and curriculum program at Penn State York; Larry LeBeau, information sciences and technology, systems analyst, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Julia Parrish, law, attorney; David Hoffman, dental; Karen Chronister, writing, freelance commercial writer/songwriter; and Joshua Markel, writing, technical writer/trainer, International Logistics Systems Inc. Many of the presenters are Penn State graduates.
An evening presentation for alumni and other invited guests, “Alumni in the Spotlight,” features Baker at 7:30 p.m. in the campus’ Pullo Family Performing Arts Center. Independent Theater Company presents "Hear Me Now: An Evening with Brian Baker." Baker will take you along on his journey from Happy Valley to Tinseltown in the world-premier of this new show. This special performance will be followed by a talk-back, where Baker will be joined by his wife, actress Terry Farrell.