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

BerryDunn Wants you!

Published on March 22, 2023

Check out a way to get to know BerryDunn through their Career Discovery Days. Information included below.

Go HERE to apply by April 14, 2023!

By Melissa J. Sawyer

The State of the Accounting Profession in Recent Years

Published on March 22, 2023

This article from The CPA Journal breaks down the results of the national 24th Annual NYSSCPA-Rosenberg Practice Management Survey. The Rosenberg Survey analyzes national trends that all CPAs in public practice need to be aware of, covering the areas of revenue growth, merger and acquisition activity, leverage (partner-to-staff ratios), and demographics.

By Melissa J. Sawyer

Check out Workforce Ready! Accounting Career Skills Symposium by MassCPAs

Published on March 21, 2023

Join them on Friday, April 21, from 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., at Convene in Downtown Boston for MassCPAs Workforce Ready! Accounting Career Skills Symposium!

You’ll learn about resume building and interviewing, effective communication, how to be your authentic self and so much more! You’ll also connect with firms and graduate school programs from across the state – and maybe even your future employer!

All attendees will earn an official MassCPAs Workforce Ready certificate.

Click HERE to register.

Please note: This …

By Melissa J. Sawyer

Register for Emerging Health Actuarial Topic with The Cigna Group: Biosimilars

Published on March 16, 2023

This in-person discussion will focus on the emergence of biosimilar drugs and their impact to the work health actuaries do at The Cigna Group! This session will be led by two Bentley alumni and current Actuarial Executive Development Program Associates, who will give an overview of The Cigna Group and the Actuarial Executive Development Program (AEDP). Pizza and snacks will be provided!

Details:

Tuesday March 28

2:00pm-3:20pm

Jennison 215

Register here.

By Melissa J. Sawyer

Register for Vanguard’s Virtual Finance & Accounting 2023 EXPLORE Day

Published on March 15, 2023

At Vanguard’s Virtual Finance & Accounting EXPLORE Day, you will have the opportunity to:

Gain exposure to Vanguard’s rotational corporate environment that celebrates continuous learning and development
Hear directly from crew members about internships and full-time positions that have a tangible impact at Vanguard
Participate in professional development activities that will set you up for a successful career

Learn more about the event here.

Don’t miss out on this chance to learn about an organization that is changing the way …

By Melissa J. Sawyer

Are you planning for an insurance-oriented career? Scholarship opportunity

Published on March 9, 2023

The New York Insurance Association is accepting applications for the 2023–2024 academic year for the New York Insurance Scholars program. Insurance career opportunities are some of the most far reaching and varied in the nation, employing hundreds of thousands of people with diverse backgrounds and specialties in New York. Providing support to budding insurance professionals only helps to strengthen the future of the industry. The application is available on the foundation’s website. Completed applications must be submitted by Friday, April …

By Melissa J. Sawyer

Register for the Women in Data Science Conference (Central MA)

Published on March 9, 2023

You’re invited to register for the 6th Annual Women in Data Science (WiDS) Central Massachusetts Conference on Wednesday, March 15th, 2023, hosted by Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI).

The event will consist of a panel on Environmental Justice, a poster session featuring research by women and students, a networking session, and technical talks. This conference is FREE, but registration is limited. Register now using the link below to save your spot!

WiDS Central Massachusetts is an independent event that is organized by …

By Melissa J. Sawyer

How to Become a MassCPAs Student Member

Published on March 8, 2023

The best way to stay connected and access all MassCPAs resources and opportunities is to become a student member! New student members are added to the MassCPAs email list and receive direct communication to stay up to date with all the activities that pertain to them. To join as a student member, click here.

By Melissa J. Sawyer

Have You Heard About Gamma Iota Sigma?

Published on March 2, 2023

Gamma Iota Sigma promotes and sustains student interest in careers in insurance, risk management, and actuarial science. With a network of over 5,000 students at over 100 universities across North America, Gamma Iota Sigma is the insurance industry’s premier collegiate talent pipeline. Members of Bentley University’s chapter of Gamma Iota Sigma have access to national conferences, networking opportunities, and campus-held seminars to help foster personal and professional growth. Learn more about Gamma Iota Sigma here, and Bentley University’s chapter here.

By Melissa J. Sawyer

Bentley University Clubs and Organizations for Accounting Majors

Published on March 1, 2023

Did you know there are a variety of student associations at Bentley University for those interested in accountancy? These clubs and organizations provide great opportunities for networking and career development, as well as helping students strengthen skills necessary in the field of accounting. Explore the list here.

By Melissa J. Sawyer

Contact

781.891.2165
LaCava Campus Center, Room 225
msawyer@bentley.edu

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