NEWARK – For nearly three decades, Gregory Mass of Middletown has devoted his life to helping New Jersey Institute of technology (NJIT) students find jobs.
Mass is executive director of Career Development Services (CDS), the office at NJIT that helps students find jobs, internships and co-ops. Under Mass’s direction, the office has had great success. It hosts two career fairs every year on campus that attract major employers. Many students – and alumni – find jobs at the fairs.
CDS counselors also work with students to ensure they have good resumes, solid interviewing skills and focused job-searching strategies. Mass maintains close ties with employers, who send hundreds of job listings every month to his office. CDS also hosts on-campus recruiting, where employers come to NJIT to interview students for top jobs.
In tribute to Mass’s success, NJIT will honor him with the 2014 Board of Overseers NJIT Excellence in Service Award. Mass will receive the award Wednesday, Sept. 10, during the University Convocation.
The university gives the award annually to a staff member who has made a major contribution to NJIT. This year the university selected Mass, who in the words of NJIT Provost Fadi Deek has “demonstrated a sustained record of service, professionalism, leadership and dedication to his department and to NJIT.”
Deek added that Mass has made “extraordinary contributions in enhancing NJIT’s relationship with industry leaders that directly benefit our students. His many contributions in serving our community, statewide economic development, university committees and instruction make Mass an ideal choice for this honor.”
Mass manages a team of 15 CDS employees – many whom advise more than 4,500 students and NJIT alumni. But he also helps the university by volunteering for committee work, engaging in weekend initiatives for students, teaching a freshman seminar class and by putting in endless hours to help NJIT forge ties with employers.
Mass is well known for his good nature with his colleagues, who nominated him for the Excellence in Service Award.
“I’m honored to receive this award,” said Mass, who has worked at NJIT for 28 years. “I have a great staff who enjoy and excel at their work, which makes my job a joy.”
