iROC: Ready for the Real World? The College Student Study

Please join us for our next iROC presentation on Thursday, October 1, at 12:45 p.m. when Anthony Scardillo, Assistant Professor of Marketing, is joined by Kyle Grappone, MSMC ’10, to present Ready for the Real World? The College Student Study. 

While the cost of a college education has increased nearly 400% since 1990, the amount of preparation students receive for working in the “Real World” has diminished greatly, with nearly 90% of all business executives lamenting that today’s students lack the necessary skills to enter the workforce.  Ready for the Real World? The College Student Study examines the factors that college students may lack when they complete their education.  Dr. Scardillo and Mr. Grappone carried out a mixed-methods research project to examine this disconnect.  Their findings provide compelling data to explain those shortcomings and provide possible solutions to better prepare today’s students for the Real World. In particular, they discovered that today’s college students lack organizational skills and an understanding of a company’s corporate culture. These – and other discoveries – will be explored in this presentation. 

Kyle Grappone is the founder of The Next Step, a clarity coaching company that focuses on helping students and graduates find direction in their career by providing clarity and accountability. He is also a published author, motivational speaker, and brand strategist. His goal is to help people from all walks of life take control of their future and careers.  Kyle holds a bachelor's degree from Mount Saint Mary College.

Dr. Anthony Scardillo is an award-winning advertising, marketing and business professional with over 30 years of experience in international, national, regional, state and local advertising, marketing and sales. His research focuses on improving the workplace environment by creating fun and engaging cultures for employees. You will often hear him lament “Are We Having Fun Yet!?”  Scardillo is a member of the American Marketing Association and the Academy of Management.  Tony earned a Doctor of Management degree from The Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University, as well as an MBA from The Huether School of Business at The College of Saint Rose.

Tony and Kyle connected in 2018 when Kyle returned to the MSMC campus for a Career Center event.  They recognized their common interests and their journey took off from there.

Ready for the Real World? The College Student Study will take place via Zoom at 12:45 p.m. on Thursday, October 1.  To obtain a link to the event, please visit the registration site. 

** Approved for FYE Academic Success **  (Attendance will be taken via Zoom participant list.)

For more information about this or any of the iROC presentations, or to volunteer as or recommend an iROC speaker, please contact the coordinators of the iROC program - Dr. Evan Merkhofer, Assistant Professor of Biology, 845-569-3368, evan.merkhofer@msmc.edu or Barbara Petruzzelli, Director of the Library, 845-569-3601, barbara.petruzzelli@msmc.edu.