Where there is an opportunity for growth, Stony Brook University is known to take it. And when that opportunity comes with accolades — let’s just say Stony Brook is an overachiever.
Case in point: Stony Brook was just named No. 1 in the Forage 2023 Experiential Learning Awards. The program recognizes the top 50 universities in the U.S. that have excelled in driving student engagement and faculty involvement in experiential learning.
“We’re committed to ensuring that all students have access to experiential opportunities inside and outside the classroom including internships, industry project based learning, student employment, and community outreach programs contributing to student success goals and employability outcomes,” said Urszula Zalewski, director of Experiential Education at the Stony Brook Career Center. “Using industry simulations to upskill student employability and career readiness is the way to go. No application needed.”
According to Zalewski, Forage offers more than 250 virtual work experiences to students, which are built and endorsed by leading companies like JPMorgan Chase, Pfizer, Citi, Accenture, BCG, Deloitte, General Electric, and KPMG, among others.
Zalewski noted that in the last two years, 1,945 students have taken advantage of Forage job simulations and more than 3,000 job simulations have been completed. These are designed to simulate the beginning of one’s career and contain a series of tasks one would need to complete. In addition to the tasks, students are also provided with resources aimed at helping the student achieve the goal successfully. These simulations can take a number of hours to complete, but can make that first day of work a lot less awkward.
“Industry simulations can be used in the class as an assignment or extra credit and upon completion students receive a certificate from the employer,” said Zalewski.
Zalewski was also recognized by Forage as a top educator. Only four educators were given this recognition.
According to Forage, as the director of Experiential Education, Zalewski is committed to ensuring that all students have access to experiential opportunities inside and outside the classroom including internships, industry project based learning, student employment and community outreach programs contributing to student success goals and employability outcomes.
Forage was designed to connect the world of study to the world of work in a free and equitable way.
Congratulations, Urszula! Your efforts in assisting the Small Business Development Center in recruiting student interns has increased the positive, economic development impact our advisors make on the small-to-medium size businesses here on Long Island. Thank you for your efforts!
Martha