How JWU Grads Built Careers at Compass Group

Students looking for internships, jobs and networking options had the ideal opportunity at the 2026 Spring Job & Internship Fair at the Providence Campus. With more than 130 employers at this year’s annual event, students met with representatives and recruiters from local organizations to global corporations with options to fit students from all major programs.

Several companies attend the fair every year and have hired students repeatedly; they know JWU students gain real experience in addition to academics during their education. JWU students also stand out because of the connections, career preparation and advice on résumés and interviews from the Experiential Education & Career Services office.

Students networking with employers at the Providence Campus 2026 Spring Job & Internship Fair.

One of the companies that attends the fair every year and hires students for internships and its Management in Training (MIT) program is Compass Group USA.

Alexa Giovanis ’17, university relations recruiter at Compass, explains that the company can offer diverse opportunities to students who have varied majors, skills and career goals, allowing them to explore sectors they might not have considered.“We are in so many locations — all 50 states in most major markets. We operate in four major industries — higher education; healthcare; business and industry; and sports and entertainment. There are countless ways to move and grow in your career. We have 300,000 associates and growing.”

To highlight examples of paths that students have taken from classroom to career with Compass, students and alums in various positions from different sectors shared their journeys to their current positions. One of those alums is Giovanis

From Manager in Training to University Recruiter

Alexa Giovanis ’17, university relations recruiter at Compass giving career advice to students at THE CONNECT CONFERENCE.

Giovanis, who was recruiting at the recent spring fair, was also on campus that week to speak at THE CONNECT CONFERENCE, giving students advice on everything from making yourself stand out, following up with people you meet and sending thank you notes.

A Baking & Pastry Arts and Food Service Management major, Giovanis was selected by Compass for its manager in training (MIT) program with FLIK Hospitality Group. She began her career at an independent school in Charlotte, North Carolina in operations and stayed in operations with FLIK for six years. She also began volunteering at JWU Charlotte career fairs to share her own story with students. That’s when her career path took a big turn.

“I found my passion for recruiting students into the same MIT program and the same company I loved,” said Giovanis. “After more than a year volunteering, I was approached to join the Compass Group University Relations team, where I now recruit students into six sectors of the company. I have been so fortunate to grow my career with the same company over the past nine years.”

Using Culinary and Business Skills to Deliver High-End Guest Experiences

Alec Marvin ’15, ’16 MBA, a general manager at Compass.

Alec Marvin ’15, ’16 MBA earned his undergraduate degree in Hospitality Management and his MBA with a Hospitality concentration. He learned about FLIK through an alum already working there who put him in touch with a recruiter. After interviewing with a team from FLIK during a career fair, Marvin joined FLIK’s MIT program. “That opportunity was the start of a dynamic and rewarding career within FLIK and Compass Group,” expressed Marvin.

Marvin’s Compass career has taken him from sous chef to floating chef across New England, executive chef and then his current role, general manager for the food service and conference center of a high-profile wealth management firm, overseeing a team of 25. Throughout the MIT program, Marvin shared, “I continued to build my leadership skills, operational knowledge and develop a passion for creating exceptional hospitality experiences.”

About his current role, Marvin says, “My work allows me to combine my culinary background, business training and commitment to people-first leadership to deliver a best-in-class experience for clients and guests every day.”

Marvin was also at the recent fair in Providence to recruit students, and commented, “As a proud alumnus, giving back to the JWU community is especially meaningful. With both FLIK’s CEO and my divisional president also being JWU graduates, returning to campus to recruit, mentor and connect with students feels like a full circle moment. Supporting the next generation of hospitality leaders is something I’m truly passionate about, and I’m grateful for the chance to represent FLIK and Compass Group in that effort."

Alec Marvin ’15, ’16 MBA, and Cameron Dowd ’17 Culinary Nutrition major met as students in 2015 on a study abroad program in Italy. Marvin recruited Dowd to join FLIK in 2019 and Dowd is now executive chef on the same account as Marvin.

Business Alum Making a Difference in Healthcare Safety

In her senior year, Laura Vasconcelos ’11, a Business Administration major, was nominated by a professor for Compass’s MIT program. After an interview she was selected as one of three students for the program that year.

Vasconcelos, now senior regional director of operations at Compass Healthcare, didn’t have a plan for her career when she started the MIT program. Her first position was in environmental services in healthcare — the cleanliness and disinfection of healthcare facilities. And that’s the area she continues to work in today. “I've been with the company for 15 years and it's been a progressive journey with Compass Healthcare.”

During her career trajectory she started as an operations manager overseeing a team of housekeepers and supervisors, making sure facilities were clean and safe for patients, customers and the nursing staff. From there she progressed to assistant director, regional director and then on to her current role, senior regional director of operations at Compass Healthcare. She now manages about $30 million in revenue with a team of just over 2,000 team members in healthcare facilities in her territory of Maine, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

“JWU was responsible for landing me in this career path,” says Vasconcelos. “Everything I learned [as a student] I applied in my MIT role. Through that program I had the opportunity to apply for a formal role for a different account and was able to jump right in.”

Vasconcelos is now earning another JWU degree: “I've actually continued my education with JWU. I'm in the middle of working on my MBA in Finance that I’m earning online and have just six credits left.”

Students connecting with employers at the 2026 Spring Job & Internship Fair.

Three-Year Degree Student Lands First Internship

Kamara Logan '28 is just finishing her first year in JWU’s new three-year degree program in Hospitality Management. An active student who doesn’t pass up an opportunity to get involved, in addition to attending the fair she also volunteered to help. Logan was interested in opportunities with the Compass Group and visited the company’s booth to introduce herself and talk to Giovanis about her career interests and background — she already has experience in the food and beverage side of hospitality. Within a few weeks Logan met with Giovanis and accepted an internship for this summer with Compass, with the specific site still being finalized. “This is truly the opportunity I've been working towards,” expressed Logan.

These stories are just a few examples of how students’ exposure to experiential education, career-related events and access to employers help them jump start their career paths before graduation.

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