Andrew and Kathleen Murch: Developing the Skills for Success

Graduating from college is a milestone worth celebrating, but it can also lead to feelings of uncertainty about the next steps. For siblings Andrew Murch ’10 and Katelyn Murch ’13, the Center for Career Development was the guiding light that helped them kick-start their job searches and ultimately land full-time positions.

Hoping to gain clarity and direction, Katelyn worked with Alumni Career Counselor Maria Casey to home in on her interests and build the skill set needed to impress employers. By creating a résumé, drafting a cover letter and participating in practice interviews, Katelyn gained an understanding of how to position herself as a young graduate with a B.A. in Environmental Studies.

“I’ve always had a passion for saving things and I wanted to pick a career path where I knew I was going to make a difference and be able to contribute to a world that will survive for future generations,” she said.

With help from Casey, Katelyn identified employers with similar missions and soon began working as an educator at the Long Island Children’s Museum and as a development intern at Sustainable Long Island. From teaching young children about nature to helping plan the Annual Sustainability Conference, each position allowed Katelyn to immerse herself in subjects she’s passionate about, while also gaining professional experience.

Since the siblings’ father is an arborist, Katelyn also had an opportunity to network by attending the New York State Urban Forestry Council’s 22nd Annual ReLeaf Conference in Hempstead last year. A connection she made there introduced her to the executive director of the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County, who later offered her a job.

Katelyn began working as an ALB (Asian long-horned beetle) restoration administrator in the Professional Horticulture & Urban Forestry department in May, where she is part of an initiative to replant trees across Long Island that were destroyed by Asian long-horned beetle infestation. She believes that her Adelphi education and the career preparation work she did with Casey will continue to serve her well as she adjusts to full-time employment.

Since Katelyn had such a positive experience at the Career Center, she encouraged her brother, Andrew, to make an appointment. After returning from four years as a transportation officer in the U.S. Army, Andrew was ready for the next chapter in his life.

Despite taking résumé-writing courses on base, he was still unsure about how to leverage his B.S. in Criminal Justice and Army training to obtain a full-time job. Casey helped Andrew prepare for every aspect of the job search process, from setting up a LinkedIn profile to explaining how to present himself in an interview.

“Working with the career center introduced me to job search engines and how to use them, which was important for finding jobs and getting my name out there,” Andrew said. “All of this made me much more confident and comfortable in interviews.”

Just four months later, Andrew was offered a job as an oiler for New York American Water, a public utility company. He is involved with keeping water clean and drinkable for the citizens of Nassau County, which involves testing the water at different sites and administering safe chemical treatments to remove iron and bacteria.

While the job isn’t directly related to his degree or position in the Army, Andrew credits Adelphi and the U.S. Army for giving him the tools he needed to get there.

“Adelphi broadened my horizons by teaching me new ways to look at things and expanding my knowledge base through the long list of classes I took,” he said. “The U.S. Army taught me discipline and how to be a hard worker who always puts the mission first.”

Neither Andrew nor Katelyn Murch ever imagined that they’d be in their current roles, but they’re happy with where their journeys have taken them so far. From course work at Adelphi that cultivated their desire to be lifelong learners, to developing their professional skills at the career center, the Murch siblings have the edge needed to shine in today’s job market.