Wildcat Connect Webinar Series: Resilience and Grit

Employment Planning and Marketing Yourself During Crisis

For college seniors prepared to graduate in a booming economy and young professionals embarking on a new career, devastation caused by COVID-19 has severely restricted employment options. In addition to financial despair, the virus has taken a toll on the psychological well-being of young people. With unemployment skyrocketing and employment offers being rescinded, how can young professionals pivot to set a new course toward success in their mental and financial health? And, what does success look like in this new normal? 

  Michelle Landers, '09 - Student Outreach Program Specialist, Google

Landers transferred to Chico State in 2007 and graduated in 2009 with her undergraduate degree in business administration, with an emphasis in human resources. Landers joined Google in 2011 and currently manages the engineers outreach programs at Universities and virtually across North America. In that role, she works to connect computer science students, faculty, and on-campus groups with Google in order to share education resources, promote opportunities, and help students prepare for future careers as engineers. Landers is a driven professional who is passionate about making Google accessible to students everywhere.

Lauren Gruwell, '09 - Apple Pay - Wallet, Payments, and Commerce, Channel Partnerships  

Gruwell graduated from Chico State in 2009 with her undergraduate degree in psychology, and a minor in marketing. A Bay Area native, Gruwell returned to her roots to begin her career at one of the most iconic Silicon Valley companies, Apple Computer. After her first year at Apple, she decided to pursue a new opportunity to broaden her skillset and exposure as a sales executive for a recruiting company called Insight Global. Four years later, she boomerang’d back to Apple where she joined the Enterprise Sales team, and has since continued growing her career there for the past six years. Lauren most recently transitioned to a Business Development Manager for Apple Pay, managing a portfolio of Payments Technology Partners for North America. She is excited to share more about her journey, and connect with her fellow Wildcats and alumni.  

  Molly Davis, '95 - Vice President of Premium Marketing at E. & J. Gallo Winery

Molly Davis is a native of Sonoma County and graduated from Chico State with both her bachelor’s degree and MBA. Shortly after graduating, she joined Gallo as a Supply Chain Forecast Analyst, where she managed production and logistics to support distribution and promotion for a portfolio of brands throughout the U.S. Rising to Vice President over nearly 20 years within Gallo Marketing, Molly has gained valuable broad-based experience working on a diversity of assignments. She currently leads a team of 25 talented marketers responsible for the development of over 15 premium brands. Throughout her tenure, Molly has focused on driving sustained growth through consumer affinity, as well as establishing Gallo’s presence in the premium wine category, which has grown from five premium brands in 2005 to over 30 brands today.

Megan Odom, '02 - Director, Chico State Career Center and Student Employment

Megan Odom graduated from the University of California, Davis in 1999 with a degree in business communications and completed her master’s in business administration from Chico State in 2002. She worked for four years as a manager and recruiter before starting her career at Chico State.  Odom was hired by the Chico State Career Center in 2003 and has worked in several capacities within the department.  She has seen the office grow as the Career Center absorbed the Internship Office and then the Student Employment Office. Serving as the director for the past eight years, Odom loves leading an amazing team that works hard to connect incredible Chico State students with exciting opportunities.