KINGSTON, R.I. — October 19, 2015 — Scores of business alumni will return to the University of Rhode Island for a different kind of homecoming later this month — one that shows business students what networking is all about.

On Friday, Oct. 23, the College of Business Administration’s 9th annual Career Day will bring many alumni back to their Ballentine Hall roots to share words of wisdom with more than 1,700 undergraduate and graduate business students earning their business degrees. The event will feature a keynote address and breakout sessions and workshops throughout the day.

Christopher J. Wolfe ’91, managing director and chief investment officer at Merrill Lynch & Co. will deliver the keynote address at 9 a.m. at Edwards Hall, 64 Upper College Road. Wolfe received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Rhode Island and his master of business administration from Columbia University. Wolfe is a Certified Financial Planner licensee and a Chartered Financial Analyst.

After Wolfe’s talk, business alumni, including representatives from Google, IBM, Nestle, Korn Ferry, EMC and more, will then share on career paths and the job search in Ballentine Hall classrooms at 10:15 and 11:15 a.m. Ballentine is located at 7 Lippitt Road.

At 1:15 and 2:15 p.m. juniors and seniors may participate in the “What Do Employers Really Look for in New Hires?” sessions in the In the Memorial Union Atrium 2. These talks will include informational and mock interviews. Then from 3 to 4 p.m., freshmen and sophomores may learn how taking leadership roles in clubs and organizations today may help build their resume tomorrow.

With an emphasis on innovation and collaborative learning, internships and on-site career resources, undergraduate business students may major in accounting, entrepreneurial management, finance, general business, global business, marketing, or supply chain management. Graduate students may seek an MBA in strategic innovation, general business or a master of science in accounting or a doctorate in Business Administration.

The URI College of Business Administration, with more than 1,700 undergraduate students and 275 graduate students, has served as the leader in business education, research, and outreach for the State of Rhode Island since it was founded in 1923. It is the first accredited business school in Rhode Island (1969) and has the first accredited accounting program at both the undergraduate and graduate levels in the Northeast (1993).