"I plan on emphasizing the importance of internships and what they can offer students," said Kari, who previously was a data analyst/systems tester for management-consultant Towers Perrin in Valhalla, New York.

The 2000 graduate previously worked as a program management analyst for Accenture. She holds bachelor of science degrees in Management Science & Information Systems and Microbiology.

As the internship coordinator, Kari will develop internship employment opportunities for IST students. She also will have a hand in developing and conducting internship program seminars, skills training workshops and education events.

Kari, who started Aug. 9, said her internship while a student was pivotal in her career decisions. For eight months, she worked for McNeil Consumer Healthcare, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, on Y2K projects.

"My internship helped me see the different things I could do with my major and gave me an idea of what I would be best fit for," Kari said. "The experience helped me focus on my interests when I got back to school."

She also credits it with helping her land her first full-time job. Employers prefer students with some experience, she said.

Kari, who served as a Smeal Business student adviser and Faststart Alumni Mentor, plans to share with students lessons that she has learned in the corporate world: "You have to communicate well, work with people, and focus on what you want. The corporate world is very competitive right now."