Alumni Career Talk: A Conversation with Mary Halliwell ’78

On Wednesday, December 11, English students had the opportunity to talk with Mary Halliwell, who graduated from Montclair State in 1978 with her B.A. in English. After teaching at Watchung Hills Regional High School, Halliwell “fell into” a career in business communications. She now works in the pharmaceutical industry and has been in senior positions at several major companies.

Halliwell began working in the pharmaceutical industry as a summer job and found herself enjoying the work. Her writing and communication skills made her stand out, and at the end of the summer she was offered a position at the company. She accepted and turned that position into a 35-year career.

In her discussion, Halliwell emphasized the importance of her English degree, both in her own career and in the future careers of Montclair students. “As English majors we should be self-confident in the skills we’ve developed as a result of our major studies,” she said. “As an MSU graduate with a degree in English, you have a level of expertise that other job candidates don’t when it comes to writing, speaking, and critical thinking.”

These qualities were among those Halliwell mentioned she looks for in prospective employees. When discussing the hiring process with students, she was honest about what makes an applicant stand out, saying “If [a candidate] is confident in themselves, that goes a long way…Don’t doubt yourself.” Halliwell also emphasized the importance of active listening and critical thinking, along with other soft skills like teamwork.

Halliwell also noted the important skill of networking. She encouraged students to work on their personal “elevator pitch,” and demonstrated how to give one through a mock conversation with Professor Jeffrey Gonzalez.

In her presentation, Halliwell encouraged a conversational atmosphere with students, asking for their thoughts and encouraging questions. Students asked questions on how to join the workforce and how to pivot careers, which Halliwell answered with engaging clarity. She urged students to take “calculated risks,” pointing to her own career as an example of a calculated risk that really paid off.

Regarding the daunting process of entering the workforce after college, Halliwell emphasized the importance of standing out. “Hiring managers and recruiters can receive a couple hundred resumes in response to a job posting,” she admitted.

Most importantly, Halliwell focused on affirming students. She encouraged attendees to learn outside of the classroom and to stand up for themselves. She also laid out the importance of having an end goal, saying “You can do whatever you want to, but you need a vision.”

Thanks to Mary, one of the English Department’s truly outstanding alumni, for coming and sharing her wisdom with our students.

Written by Faith Monesteri