Canisius Success Stories

Our students put their skills to the test and their values into action. They intern with major sports teams and Fortune 500 companies. They excel in med school and shine in law school. Some take their passion for social justice and do a year of service. Check out a few of our success stories here—and then imagine how far you’ll go as a Griff.

 

Exciting Internships 

As an intern with the Buffalo Sabres, Lee  played an integral role during live NHL broadcasts on game day. And while working for Western New York’s biggest technology startup competition, he earned an MBA from our Wehle School of Business.

Local Field Experience

Thanks to our partnerships with local private and public schools, Kate gained experience in diverse classroom settings as an education major. Today she’s a fifth grade teacher for a school district that serves over 3,000 children.

 

High-level Connections

Faculty helped open doors for Tom, who had internships with a county executive and a member of Congress on Capitol Hill. Now based in the Washington, DC, area, he works as a public affairs specialist for one of the nation’s largest health insurers.

Paths to Employment

Frances had a job offer lined up even before she graduated, thanks to our top-ranked accounting program and vast alumni network. As a freshly minted CPA, she gained valuable experience working for EY. Today she’s  the treasurer for a large school district.


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Alexa Valdez ’18, MS ‘19

Language and Life Skills 

Alexa, whose double undergraduate major included Spanish, directs an after-school program for a nonprofit that serves more than 28,000 low-income residents of the North Bronx in New York City.

“I always thought a major in Spanish or even knowing Spanish wasn’t enough to find a job. These days it’s what’s giving my job meaning. The amount of times I’ve had to translate documents or contact Spanish-only speaking households to check on kids and families, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, shows me just how important it is to study language.

 I call so many people, and as soon as I tell them they can talk to me in Spanish, their tone of voice changes and everything is okay. This fills my heart with so much joy!"

Compassion in Practice

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Dr. Laura Hayes ’15, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine ‘19

As a biology major and psychology minor, Laura had the unique opportunity to do scientific research and contribute to a scholarly publication. But it was her travel experiences that enabled her to visualize her career path as a doctor.

“Aside from research, my most memorable moments at Canisius were participating in the medical mission trip to Costa Rica and Nicaragua, and the service immersion trip to India. These trips allowed me to practice core Jesuit values and service for and with others.”

After graduating, she successfully completed the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program at LECOM. Today she’s a psychiatry resident at ECMC Hospital, where she uses a holistic approach focused on compassion and respect to treat patients from all walks of life.