April 26, 2019
Jim Chirico ’80 and his wife, Bridget, make a cornerstone gift for career education
By Vicki-Ann Downing
A $2 million gift from Jim Chirico ’80 and his wife, Bridget, will make it possible for Providence College to construct a new Center for Career Education and Professional Development with expanded facilities, technology, and career coaching to prepare students for life after graduation.
“The center will provide a space for students to make important connections with recruiters, organizations, alumni networks, and others, bringing them closer to their first destination after college, whether that be employment, education, service, or ministry,” said Kristine C. Goodwin, vice president for student affairs.
The new Center for Career Education and Professional Development is the cornerstone of the second phase of the Ruane Friar Development Center project, which was made possible by a lead gift from Michael A. Ruane ’71 & ’13Hon. and his wife, Elizabeth. The first phase, which was dedicated in September 2018, features a two-court practice facility for the men’s basketball team, enhancements to the Canavan Sports Medicine Center, and a student-athlete café.
In addition to the Center for Career Education, located in Slavin Center, the second phase will include an expanded ’64 Hall and an enclosed concourse linking Alumni Hall, Slavin Center, and the Concannon Fitness Center. A $2 million gift from an anonymous donor also has been received for the project. Preparation work will begin this summer.
Chirico is president and CEO of Avaya, a global telecommunications and collaborative technology company with 8,000 employees in 183 countries. When Chirico became president and CEO in October 2017, the company was just exiting from Chapter 11 restructuring. Under his leadership, Avaya was able to successfully complete the process and go public on the New York Stock Exchange in January 2018.
Chirico grew up in Dutchess County, N.Y. A soccer player, he transferred to PC from Eastern University in Pennsylvania at the start of his sophomore year. He was seeking “a small school with a big-name reputation that offered a diverse liberal arts education. Providence appealed to me because it had an excellent brand and reputation, but was still a small school where I could learn and grow.”
He played center fullback.
“I wasn’t the best, to be honest, but being part of a Division I team was an amazing experience,” Chirico said. “The opportunity to compete, to push yourself, to develop close-knit relationships with friends and teammates, was a valuable learning experience for me. What I learned is that to be successful, you have to conquer and force yourself to do things out of your comfort zone.”
Chirico majored in marketing at PC and accepted an entry-level position at IBM after graduation. He remained with the company for 17 years, rising to the executive level, before joining Seagate Technology in 1998. He spent eight years living and working in Singapore for Seagate. He has been with Avaya since 2008.
When he graduated from PC, there were few career services available to students, Chirico noted.
“There’s an incredible amount of talent entering the workforce today, and the competition for the first job out of school is fierce,” Chirico said. “It’s important for students to have the best preparation to understand what makes them attractive to an employer, how they can be successful in their search, and the criteria to look for in their first job. Bridget and I are investing in the Center for Career Education and Professional Development to prepare students to launch their careers, and to help them find careers in which they can succeed.”
The new center will have a résumé bar where students can work with career coaches to review and refine their résumés, and an interview suite featuring six rooms equipped for telephone and video interviews. Staff and administrative offices will be located nearby so that students can have easy access to assistance.
Chirico has hired many employees in his career. What does he look for in a candidate?
“The best anyone can bring to an interview is sincerity. A lot of people try to come off as something they’re not,” Chirico said. “I look for people who are well-rounded with diverse résumés, people who understand what it takes for teams to win versus individuals to win. You don’t have to be the smartest candidate, but adaptive, willing to take risks, and confident.”
A liberal arts education is an advantage, he added.
“The best part of a liberal arts education is that you have the opportunity to learn in multiple disciplines. You are not just an expert in one field,” Chirico said. “Yes, you can be an English major and work for Avaya.”
Chirico returned to campus in September 2018 to attend the 50th reunion of PC soccer.
The Chiricos, who live in Chapel Hill, N.C., also own and operate Fishy Fishy Cafe in Southport. They are the parents of two daughters, Brittany and Mackenzie.
