Seven PennWest University students gained firsthand insight into careers in finance, professional networking and the hiring process during the 2026 CFA Society Pittsburgh Career Fair on Sept. 10.

Students from PennWest’s Edinboro and California campuses traveled to the Rivers Club in Pittsburgh for a day of panel discussions, networking and conversations with professionals from across the financial services industry.

The group included four students studying at the California campus: Amina Baratova, a finance and personal financial planning major from Almaty, Kazakhstan; Anthony Depietress, a finance and personal financial planning major from Enola, Pennsylvania; RJ Dieugenio, an economics major from Monessen, Pennsylvania; and Claire Sheppard, a finance and personal financial planning major with a minor in artificial intelligence and machine learning from Coraopolis, Pennsylvania.

Three students represented the Edinboro campus: Kara Hooppell, an accounting major with a minor in supply chain management from Union City, Pennsylvania; Jade Miller, an accounting major pursuing a certificate in legal studies from Fairview, Pennsylvania; and Megan Simonetta, a finance and personal financial planning major from Cochranton, Pennsylvania.

The trip was organized by faculty members Dr. Shaun Pfeiffer and Dr. Christian Ola.

For Simonetta, a sophomore and graduate of Conneaut Area Senior High School, the experience provided a perspective that complemented what she is learning in the classroom.

“I walked away from this event with something you can’t get in a classroom: a real understanding of what it takes to break into this industry, straight from the people doing it,” Simonetta said. “Being selected to attend was an honor, and it only motivated me more to keep working toward my CFP.”

The career fair opened with “The CFA Charter and CFA Program Explained,” which introduced students to the CFA Program and its three levels of examinations. Dr. Greg Filbeck, vice chancellor and associate dean of academic affairs at Penn State Behrend and former president of CFA Society Pittsburgh, led the discussion alongside a panel of CFA charterholders.

Students also participated in “Building Your Network: Networking and Making Connections for Career Success,” presented by CFA Society Pittsburgh’s Emerging Leaders Group. The session focused on building professional relationships and gave students an opportunity to put those skills into practice with representatives from employers including BNY Mellon, Erie Insurance, Federated Hermes, PNC Bank, T. Rowe Price, Highmark Health and First National Bank.

A final session, “Job Search Strategy Uncensored,” gave students an inside look at the hiring process. Experienced hiring managers and human resources professionals offered advice on resumes, interviews, workplace preparedness and what employers look for in prospective candidates.

The day concluded with a networking reception, giving PennWest students another opportunity to connect directly with finance professionals and CFA Society Pittsburgh members.

Experiences like the career fair provide students with opportunities to explore potential career paths, develop professional skills and build connections with employers before graduation.

PennWest’s Finance and Personal Financial Planning programs prepare students for careers across the financial services industry. The university’s Personal Financial Planning curriculum meets the educational requirements needed for graduates to be eligible to sit for the CFP® Certification Examination.

The trip was made possible through support from M.B. Engdahl & Co. and Great Lakes Commercial Roofing. Contributions to the Finance and Personal Financial Planning Club’s travel fund helped provide students with the opportunity to attend the event and connect with industry professionals.

For more information about PennWest’s personal financial planning programs, contact Dr. Michael Engdahl at 716-485-1409 or mengdahl@pennwest.edu. For more information about PennWest’s finance programs, contact Dr. Christian Ola at 412-327-8386 or ola@pennwest.edu.

Pictured left to right: Dr. Shaun Pfeiffer, Anthony Depietress, RJ Dieugenio, Kara Hooppell, Jade Miller, Megan Simonetta, Claire Sheppard, Amina Baratova, and Dr. Christian Ola.