Pitt Alum, Mikayla Bernhard, attended a Networking Event called Spill the Tea during her time at Pitt. This was a unique Women’s History Month networking event hosted by the Career Center. Attending Spill the Tea turned out to be the best decision she could have made. During the event, Mikayla found herself seated with Dana Romano, Director of Career and Industry engagement in Pitt’s Swanson School of Computing and Engineering.
What Mikayla didn’t realize was that this casual networking event would lead straight to her next career move. Soon after the Spill the Tea event, she attended the Women in Swanson Engineering Speaker Event. Having applied to Mitsubishi Electric Power Products Inc. (MEPPI) just a week earlier, Mikayla decided to sit next to a familiar face, Dana Romano, without realizing how perfectly things would align.
At their table was a close friend of Dana’s, who Mikayla soon found out was the head of HR at MEPPI. After a quick introduction, Mikayla ended up having a great conversation with her and what she looks back on as an “on-the-spot interview.” That conversation opened the door to her current position at MEPPI, and now she is preparing to complete an exciting rotation with them in Japan.
Reflecting on her experience, Mikayla shared some advice for current students: Be Brave. Keep talking to people and wait for something to stick. Even if the conversation doesn’t seem directly related, there’s always something connecting you. “Your network is powerful”, said Mikayla.
Be brave like Mikayla. Connect with others and talk about your career planning, especially while you are at Pitt where so many people are interested in your success. Take advantage of networking events any chance you get, especially the new LinkUp events being hosted by the Career Center this fall. You never know when you might meet someone who can connect you directly to your future!
Check out the LinkUp! A new networking concept where 3 concurrent panels of professionals then join in an alumni networking reception for all. Attend one of three panels, then join a reception with even more alumni, appetizers, and the LinkedIn Photo Booth! Attire is business casual. Advance registration preferred but not required.
The LinkUp: Media, Business and Tech Edition
– Wednesday, October 15, 2025, 5:30-7:30 p.m., William Pitt Union Main Floor, Register here.
The LinkUp: Engineering, Healthcare, Science & Sustainability Edition
– Wednesday, November 5, 2025, 6-8 p.m., William Pitt Union Main Floor, Register here.
And more coming in Spring 2026!
