Hiring Stony Brook University students is essential for one local business owner, who this semester alone has added five more to a staff that consists of more than 25 Stony Brook students and alumni. Eduware, a Smithtown-based educational software company, recruits SBU students through the Stony Brook University Career Center for a variety of roles, including, computer programming, graphic design, office management, customer support, social media advertising, and more. Owner William Stevens actually relocated his business from Huntington to Smithtown three years ago to accommodate employees traveling from the University.
Stevens, a retired public school teacher, has hired more than 50 students and alumni in the past three years and hundreds since he began recruiting through the Career Center in 2000. Today, his staff consists of 26 SBU students, many of whom come from the Department of Computer Science; some are also pursuing degrees in business, sociology, or one of the sciences, and some are alumni.
“The Career Center has been essential in helping me find exceptional employees,” Stevens said. “It’s a good business practice and a win-win.” Hiring organizations like Eduware find talent through the Career Center’s on-campus recruiting sessions, job fairs, company informational meetings, career panels, and job postings.
The Career Center provides assistance to hiring organizations in accessing and leveraging student talent. “We work closely with employers to ensure that their position descriptions are effective,” said Career Center Director Marianna Savoca. “Ultimately, it’s up to the company to interview and decide which candidates are viable.”
Pavel Jamal, an Eduware employee and SBU Computer Science major pursuing his M.S. degree in the five-year B.S./M.S. program values the experience he is gaining at Eduware. He was hired during his freshman year through a connection made at the Career Center. “When I joined Eduware, I knew the bare minimum about making a Web site,” he said. “Through my studies and after working here for the last four years, I’ve gained a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience in Web development. I can definitely call myself a professional Web developer.”
Savoca noted that the Career Center is an invaluable resource for students to explore career and educational opportunities, find internships, receive career counseling, and connect with employers. “Our primary goals are to educate, prepare, and connect students to opportunities available for them,” she said. “Whether a student is seeking an internship, deciding on a major, or thinking ahead to life after Stony Brook, we can help them make informed decisions.”
Add comment