Treks help put alumni in right place at right timeGonzaga University

Chuck Moore ( left, '99) met Sam Glassburn, a recent MBA alumnus, at the Second Annual Seattle Trek in January 2003. Moore, a member of the Seattle GAMP Board, was representing his new employer, Expeditors International, a Seattle-based global logistics company. Eventually, Glassburn was hired by Expeditors.

By Erin Shields (Florence, '99)GAMP Program Assistant

GAMP, the Gonzaga Alumni Mentor Program, continues to foster success in its effort to link University alumni with promising contacts in the job market. The program is all about developing relationships, but being in the right place at the right time always helps.

That's where Trek comes in. Chuck Moore ('99) met Sam Glassburn, a recent MBA alumnus, at the Second Annual Seattle Trek in January 2003. Moore, a member of the Seattle GAMP Board, was representing his new employer, Expeditors International, a Seattle-based global logistics company where he is supervisor of business systems. Glassburn ('00, MBA '02), at that time, was networking in search of employment.

As Moore recalls their conversation, "Sam took a sincere interest in what we did as a company and how the accounting team worked in support of our global operations."At the end of their dialogue, Glassburn slipped Moore a copy of his resume.

End of story? Hardly.

The following Monday at Expeditors, Chuck presented Glassburn's resume to Becky Cates ('82), director of international accounting at Expeditors and a member of the Gonzaga Board of Regents. Moore told Cates about his meeting with Glassburn during the Trek, and Cates responded that there might be an opening in her department.

Shortly thereafter, Glassburn found himself in a job interview with the company's accounting team. As fate would have it, Glassburn proved to be an outstanding fit with what Expeditors needed at the time and was offered the position. Glassburn has been happily employed with Expeditors ever since, and he credits GAMP's Seattle Trek for putting him in touch with the company that became his future employer.

"The Seattle Trek provided me the opportunity to get my foot in the door with a company like Expeditors," he said. "I feel that Seattle Trek was a very worthwhile experience and strongly encourage any GU student or graduate to participate as a representative of a company, a potential job candidate, or anyone who appreciates free food, drinks and networking."

Who doesn't like those things?

This story is not an isolated incident but one of many successes underscoring the kinds of contacts that GAMP has been facilitating for years. It's a good example or alumni helping alumni and new graduates in today's competitive job market.

Whether you are a student, a recent graduate or a graduate making a career change, the Treks offer the opportunity to walk in and meet representatives of more than 30 top employers in a given region. Glassburn and the many others like him who have benefitted from the program hope it continues to grow as it has since it began in 2002. GAMP itself was launched in 1996.

"I hope that Seattle Trek continues to expand and continues to provide people with the opportunity that has benefited my career," Glassburn said.

Through GAMP programs and events, the Gonzaga Community continually reaches out to support each other as mentors and valuable contacts.

The Seattle and Portland Treks grow stronger each year with increasing participation from students and alumni, new employers and enthusiastic returning employers, and through partnerships with superb organizations selected for the on-sight visits and excursions.

For the 2004-2005 academic year, GAMP will hold both TREKs during the second week of January to better accommodate students' schedules. The 2005 Portland Trek will be held Jan. 4, at the Benson Hotel downtown. The Seattle Trek will be held Jan. 6-7 at the Washington Athletic Club, downtown.

For more information, contact Erin Shields at (509) 323-4048 or via e-mail at shieldse@gonzaga.edu