Melissa J. Sawyer

Senior Associate Director/Operations Manager, Undergraduate Career Development, Pulsifer Career Development Center

Melissa Sawyer is Senior Associate Director/Operations Manager and dedicated Career Coach for the Accountancy, Corporate Finance and Accounting (Accounting Focus), Data Analytics, Information Systems Audit and Control, Mathematics, and Actuarial Sciences majors for Undergraduate Career Development in the Pulsifer Career Development Center. Sawyer has more than 20 years of experience working in higher education in various functions encompassing career services, admission, financial aid, fellowship programs, and registrar’s office. She has developed strong relationships with staff and faculty throughout Bentley’s campus while collaborating on various programs for her majors. Sawyer has established solid partnerships with employers who actively recruit the students in her area of focus. Additionally, she oversees the relationship between the Pulsifer Career Center and Handshake and Big Interview. Sawyer looks forward to meeting with students to help them evaluate their interests regarding major and career path and in developing the skills necessary to acquire the positions they desire.

Prior to working at Bentley, Sawyer worked in career services with law students at Western New England School of Law and held various positions at Cornell University prior to and during graduate school. She has a Bachelor of Arts from John Carroll University and a MEd from Kent State University.

Dedicated Career Coach for the following majors:

  • Accountancy
  • Actuarial Sciences
  • Corporate Finance and Accounting (Accounting Focus)
  • Data Analytics
  • Information Systems Audit and Control
  • Information Technology in Accounting
  • Mathematics

Fun fact:  Melissa has traveled to 18 countries in the past 18 years (and more prior to that)!  Traveling with her husband and son is one of her passions and their most recent adventure was to go to the Galapagos Islands.  Melissa looks forward to many more stamps in her passport in the future!

Favorite part about the office: Working with the amazing students – Melissa truly enjoys watching them grow, develop and achieve their goals.  Seeing the smiles on students faces when they receive their internship/full time offer is the best!

Junior & Senior Appointments:

Please schedule an appointment via Handshake (Career Center > Appointments > Schedule a New Appointment > follow remaining prompts).

All Posts

CAS and SOA Announce New Actuarial Exam Support Program

The Society of Actuaries (SOA) and the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) announce a new jointly-sponsored exam reimbursement program. The new Actuarial Exam Support Program, based on qualifications of need, is available to candidates as of May 1, 2024. (More details available as of May 1, 2024)

The program is an expanded version of the current in-force Needs-Based Exam Reimbursement program and aims to extend support to a broader range of candidates, ensuring equitable access to actuarial education and opportunities. This …

By Melissa J. Sawyer
Melissa J. Sawyer Senior Associate Director/Operations Manager, Undergraduate Career Development, Pulsifer Career Development Center
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Check out the Spencer Webinar Series

Join their early career webinar series! These free virtual sessions are a powerful educational and networking tool.

Who can attend? The Spencer Webinar Series is open to all! These free virtual educational & networking sessions are geared toward college students and recent graduates who are interested in the risk management and insurance industry. High schoolers are also highly encouraged to participate.

How can I attend? Click on the links on this page to access each session’s Zoom registration link and …

By Melissa J. Sawyer
Melissa J. Sawyer Senior Associate Director/Operations Manager, Undergraduate Career Development, Pulsifer Career Development Center
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OLA’s 2024-2025 Academic Scholarship deadline April 14, 2024!

The OLA Scholarship deadline has been EXTENDED to Sunday, April 14, 2024.

Two types of scholarships are awarded: General Scholarships: Winners can receive up to $7,500 Named Scholarships (OPTIONAL): Actuarial employers (OLA Platinum and Gold+ Sponsors) fund a $5,000 scholarship that includes an actuarial internship for next summer (Summer of 2025)!

NEW this year: OLA Scholarship applicants graduating between December 2025 and June 2027 will also automatically be considered for a Travel Sponsorship opportunity to get all travel/lodging expenses paid …

By Melissa J. Sawyer
Melissa J. Sawyer Senior Associate Director/Operations Manager, Undergraduate Career Development, Pulsifer Career Development Center
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Interested in Actuarial Opportunities in Hong Kong?

If you answered yes, check out the ASHK Actuary Internship Portal!

ASHK Actuary Internship Portal

Key dates for process

May 2024 Recruitment Cycle
Registration Deadline For students to gain access to the portal
19 Apr
Job Application Starts For students to view the job opportunities
3 May
Job Application Deadline For students to apply for the jobs
29 May
CV Release to Employers and Candidate Selection Starts Employers start contacting suitable candidates
5 Jun

For enquiries, please contact us at …

By Melissa J. Sawyer
Melissa J. Sawyer Senior Associate Director/Operations Manager, Undergraduate Career Development, Pulsifer Career Development Center
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CAS Student Central Summer Program is officially accepting applications for 2024!

This free eight-week online program, designed by practicing actuaries, will support university students’ career growth by providing technical and soft skill development, as well as mentorships and networking opportunities.

2024 Program Details

The program will run from Monday, June 10– Friday, August 2. Over the course of the eight-week program participants will:

Participants will spend approximately 10 hours a week participating in the program and are expected to attend the program in its entirety. Presentations and materials will be in English. 

For those that are …

By Melissa J. Sawyer
Melissa J. Sawyer Senior Associate Director/Operations Manager, Undergraduate Career Development, Pulsifer Career Development Center
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2024 UConn Sports Analytics Symposium

Are you interested in pursuing opportunities in sports analytics? If you answered yes, don’t miss out on this great opportunity being offered at UCONN! See below for all of the details. Don’t miss out as you need to register by April 5th!

By Melissa J. Sawyer
Melissa J. Sawyer Senior Associate Director/Operations Manager, Undergraduate Career Development, Pulsifer Career Development Center
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Milliman Opportunity Scholarship: Now open for application

Now open for application  
The Milliman Opportunity Scholarship assists undergraduate students from ethnic groups that are under-represented in the fields of actuarial science, data science, computer science, economics, programming, mathematics, statistics, data analytics, or finance. Milliman, a global leader in actuarial and related products and services, awarded 20 Opportunity Scholarships in 2023.  

We would appreciate your help in communicating this scholarship opportunity to your students.  

APPLICATION DEADLINE
Applications are due by April 30, 2024.  

SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
$5,000  

APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

By Melissa J. Sawyer
Melissa J. Sawyer Senior Associate Director/Operations Manager, Undergraduate Career Development, Pulsifer Career Development Center
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Career Essentials in Data Analysis Professional Certification (by Microsoft and LinkedIn)

Certifications are an excellent way to prove your knowledge and skills to employers. You can bring up certifications during interviews or share them on your LinkedIn profile. Certifications also help you explore concepts you might not get a chance to in the classroom or strengthen the skills you already have. The Career Essentials in Data Analysis Professional Certification, available on LinkedIn Learning, allows you to obtain a certification from Microsoft. In the course, you’ll discover the skills needed for a …

By Melissa J. Sawyer
Melissa J. Sawyer Senior Associate Director/Operations Manager, Undergraduate Career Development, Pulsifer Career Development Center
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Requirements for CPA Licensure by State

AICPA & CIMA put together a great resource to help you learn about the requirements you’ll need to fulfill to get a CPA license based on your state or territory. Click on each state or region to learn more information about the requirements.

By Melissa J. Sawyer
Melissa J. Sawyer Senior Associate Director/Operations Manager, Undergraduate Career Development, Pulsifer Career Development Center
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2024 Aetna College Day (virtual) for Actuarial Students – international students welcome!

This year, College Day will be held on Friday, April 12th. The flyer below has additional information on College Day.

Students interested in attending this event must submit the interest form (link here) by Friday, March 8th. Students will then email their resume to HartfordActuarialRecruiting@aetna.com  to complete your application.

By Melissa J. Sawyer
Melissa J. Sawyer Senior Associate Director/Operations Manager, Undergraduate Career Development, Pulsifer Career Development Center
Read more