ATTENTION JOB SEEKERS! CHECK OUT THIS REAL-WORLD NETWORKING EXPERIENCE THAT LANDS SUCCESS

By Ronak Parida, Former DLE Intern and Commercial Operations Analyst at HWY Partners

Who knew that my first job after graduating college would be helping consumers grab their favorite snacks?

That’s a key part of what I do in my role as commercial operations analyst for Northeast food broker Harold Young Partners’ Upstate New York branch. My role involves taking wholesale orders from stores in the region, including Stewart’s, Wegmans, and Tops, and connecting them with the suppliers for fulfillment.

I deal with dozens of product lines–from 5-Hour Energy and Slim Jim to candy brands such as Haribo and Pez. In the supply chain field, issues can arise when products don’t reach their intended destination on time. As the broker, I have to communicate to both parties when shipments are delayed or if an item is no longer available.

My job search began in January 2024 after completing my internship with the DLE and graduating from Syracuse University. The job market was quite tough as many industries slowed hiring due to high interest rates. Landing this role required me to thoroughly assess my strengths and skills and to connect with many professionals about expectations for new grads.

My networking reunited me with former DLE intern Connor Joyce, active DLE member Kaled Rocha, who co-produces the DLE Culture Chat program, and DLE founder Linda Dulye. Each conversation gave me valuable insights, as I learned from their experiences and re-evaluated my own strengths and areas for growth. Personally, I think this type of reflection is an essential catharsis and incredibly important for those just starting out in their career.

In my reflection, I realized that my internship with the DLE greatly boosted my confidence in connecting with professionals and hearing their stories. It taught me to ask meaningful questions about career paths, challenges, and successes. Each interaction provided me with wisdom and experiences to reflect on.

My experience taught me that you can and will find the right role by being open-minded. Opportunities will likely arise in fields that you never expected. I learned how to embrace the journey, and instead of connecting for the sole purpose of seeking referrals, to focus on self-discovery that will help you move in the right direction.