Embrace the differences that make you unique. Build relationships through networking. Don't be afraid to make mistakes.

Those are a few of the pieces of career advice that Knox College students collected from alumni at the 2014 Career Impact Summit, an annual event designed to help liberal arts students navigate the job market.

The December 1-2 event featured a keynote address, a networking dinner, resume critiques, and breakout sessions on various topics including personal branding, building a network, resume writing, facing rejection, and making career choices.

More than 60 students participated in the career summit, hearing from more than a dozen Knox alumni, including opening keynote speaker Jane Strode Miller '81.

Miller is author of the new book, Sleep Your Way to the Top (and Other Myths about Business Success). A Russian studies major at Knox, she has held a variety of leadership roles in the business world, including working as a high-level executive at Frito-Lay, Pepsi-Co, Heinz, Bestfoods, and Hostess. She also served as chief executive officer of a private-equity-backed baking company, Rudi's Organic.

"I attribute all of my success to the foundation I got at Knox," Miller said in her keynote address.

She offered several career tips to students.

• "No job is too small." Jobs that might seem small actually can provide good experience and help develop skills to make you more attractive in future job interviews.
• "Flex your style." Different workplaces have different cultures, and it's important to view yourself through the eyes of others.
• "Know yourself." Think about how you're representing yourself to potential employers.
• "Take the high road." Avoid doing things that can negatively affect your reputation.
• "Don't be a superhero." Build a network, leverage your strengths, and don't be shy about asking for or offering help.
• "Always bring you're A-game." Be confident, energetic, and passionate.

Students said they benefited from the two-day event.

"I feel like it's opened up the way I think about the future," said Nadia Tapfumaneyi ‘15.

Jonathan Vardon ‘15 learned useful tips on how to clean up his social media image to ensure it presents a positive picture to prospective employers. "I didn't know that employers looked at your Facebook," he said.

The Career Impact Summit was organized by the Knox College Bastian Family Career Center. It was sponsored by the John D. Carlin Career Development Support Fund.