The Stony Brook University Career Center and Alumni Relations Office co-hosted over 180 alumni and students for its 10th Annual Student and Alumni Networking Mixer on Thursday, March 31, 2022, on campus at the Hilton Garden Inn for the first in-person event in over two years.
Over 115 mentees and 65 staff, faculty, and alumni mentors were in attendance. Everyone was incredibly excited to be networking in person. Attendees choose between 20 tables representing seven career communities during three networking rounds.
The event provided an excellent opportunity for students to gain insight from alumni in their fields and practice networking to improve their career development.
Marie Parziale, Senior alumni Career Coach at the Career Center and co-organizer of the student and alumni networking mixer, shared her experiences planning it and how important such events are for college students.
“It was an honor and absolute pleasure to bring students and alumni together for our 10th Annual Networking Mixer,” she said. “The energy in the room was palpable.”
Parziale also talked about the micro-mentoring program and how grateful we are to have alumni willing to give their time and share their expertise year-round.
The Career Center’s micro-mentoring program enables alumni professionals to support current students in career conversations and teach them the importance of relationship building. Mentees gain a foot forward in their career path through these networking opportunities by connecting with mentors.
“Our micro-mentoring program teaches our students the importance of relationship-building, but seeing it in action and hearing how impactful the event was is why the SBU Career Center and the Alumni Relations office collaborate to host this event every year.”
Some of the attendees shared their thoughts about the event and what they valued about their experience.
“Prior to this event, I feared that my freshman status and experience with mixers would make me feel like I did not belong at this event,” first-year Technological Systems Management major Samia Zia said. “But, with the resources available to prepare us for the mixer, and the welcoming environment for all majors and years, I felt as though I belonged there as much as anyone else.”
“It was great learning about the different experiences the alums had within the various industries and how they got there,” senior Mechanical Engineering major Shazim Hassan said. “These alumni had a wealth of knowledge that makes this event worth coming for.”
Christopher Mellides ‘10, alum and multimedia journalist, shared, “Stony Brook University gives people from varying backgrounds a chance to excel in a thriving educational environment, with support and dedication from staff, students, and alumni.”
The student and alumni networking mixer succeeded in growing industry knowledge among a diverse group of college students, where the alumni could share their seasoned expertise in their job fields. This signature event is just one among many that the Stony Brook University Career Center and the Alumni Relations offices co-host year to aid students in their career development journey.
If you are interested in learning more about how to volunteer to be a mentor, please share your information with us.
— Fanni Frankl
Thank you to our sponsors, Island Federal and Balfour.
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