Explore. Engage. Excel. Summer career experience at Berkeley College in NYC

It was a packed house at the Berkeley College campus on East 43rd Street, where attendance had even surpassed expectations for the Summer Career Experience event. Open to prospective, new, and current Berkeley College students, the daylong program offered participants opportunities to learn about various career fields such as Fashion, Health Services Management, Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence, Management and Marketing, and Criminal Justice and Social Justice.

Experts shared their career journeys and insights

After a welcome and introduction from Linda Mauro, Campus Operating Officer at the Midtown NYC campus, the event kicked off with a panel discussion featuring JapNeet Kaur, Cybersecurity & Risk Management Lead from IBM; Jahi Rose, Director of Constituent Affairs at New York City Council; and Christina King, VP of Human Resources at New York City Football Club (NYCFC). The panelists each gave an overview of their career journeys, as well as their current positions and responsibilities. They also discussed many topics, including having a passion for your work and believing in yourself, equality in the professional world, current trends, and advice for anyone seeking to start or advance in a career. The panel then took questions from the enthusiastic audience.

Participants then attended breakout sessions based on their areas of interest.

Health Services Management: My Skills. My Future.

Dr. Barbara Cohen from the Berkeley College Health Services Management Department led a fun and interactive session designed to help attendees understand the many different healthcare management roles and how their skills align with them. During the session, they learned about the duties, abilities, and necessary qualifications associated with each to help them evaluate what career they might pursue.

Dr. Cohen pointed out, “Participants learned that a health services management degree opens a world of employment possibilities.”

Business: Hands-On Simulated Corporation Workshop

In this experiential hands-on exercise led by Professor Michael Kipness of the Larry L. Luing School of Business®, the group created a real-life mock corporation in a “Think Tank” and developed a viable product or service offering. The “companies” were reviewed by a panel of potential investors who assessed whether they would invest in the company and provided insight to improvements if needed based on theory covered and chosen market. In addition to learning about important business skills and theoretical models, students in this workshop explored how their interests connect with the many different roles involved in a business.

Fashion: Circular Styles! Fashion Workshop!

Professor Andrea Kennedy, Lead Faculty from the Berkeley College Fashion Department focused this workshop on sustainable fashion strategy, looking at all the sustainable aspects of the fascinating business of fashion—merchandising, design, production strategies, and more. The students then participated in a hands-on group activity to employ those strategies and did a “Fashion Outfit Redesign!”

Roberto Larancuent, who plans to begin his studies in the Fashion Merchandising and Management program in the fall semester, was particularly interested in the sustainability aspect of both the workshops and the curriculum taught at Berkeley College. “That really helped make my decision to attend Berkeley,” he said.

Criminal Justice/Legal Studies: Social Justice –
A Walk in the Shoes of the NYPD

In this workshop, led by Professor Charlane Brown, JD from Berkeley’s Criminal Justice - Justice Studies department, a social justice scenario was presented where students were asked to “step into the shoes” of a police officer and participate in a re-enactment of a police encounter. They then collectively discussed and decided whether the actions were justified and if they were within the law and policy.

La Aaron Mealy, a Legal Studies student at Berkeley, is seeking to advance his career. “The legal field is so broad,” he remarked. La Aaron hopes to become an entrepreneur in the future and is confident that his education will help him understand the many aspects of running a business.

Artificial Intelligence: What is it? Why does it matter? And how can you use it?

Berkeley College Information Technology Management Professor Lou Piermatteo from the Larry L. Luing School of Business® presided over a timely and fascinating discussion on AI and Chat GPT, showing specific examples of their uses. Students were also able to experiment with Chat GPT and its potential.

Tyrone Wiggins, a current Information Technology Management student, who hopes to work in cybersecurity, found the workshop on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to be the most interesting of the day. “I love it here. Professors have been very helpful, and I feel like they care about me like a family,” he added.

Up close in the studio of Berkeley’s Designer in Residence

Lunch followed the breakout sessions, after which participants were able to tour the design studio of Berkeley’s “Designer in Residence” Chuks Collins, where Berkeley students have interned and regularly get firsthand fashion experience from a successful working designer.

“Today's NYC first ever Summer Career Exploration Experience workshop was incredible!” said Ms. Mauro. “Bringing together prospective and incoming fall students with faculty and industry professionals perfectly showcased the Berkeley experience.” She went on, “Students engaged with instructors, made new friends, and participated in hands-on workshops of their choice. The energy level was high, leaving them with a great impression and excited to start at Berkeley College. This was a great opportunity to see a day in the life of a Berkeley student!”

Students build bonds as they pursue their dreams

Khya Hough, Skyla Watts, and Emania Moore echoed the sentiments about the supportive and helpful environment at Berkeley College. In addition to being to students who transferred to Berkeley from other colleges, the three share another common bond: their love of basketball— they all play at Berkeley. Khya, an Accounting major, hopes to combine her interest in sports with a career. Her dream is to work for a professional sports organization. Skyla, who is also an Accounting major, noted the difference at Berkeley versus her previous college. “Communication and support are excellent here,” she said. “So many resources are available and there’s always someone to talk to.” Emania, a Management major, agreed, adding, “Professors are much better at responding when you have questions. I’m able to build better relationships.” All three also spoke of how the staff at Berkeley College is proactive about informing students about available grants and scholarships to help make a college education more affordable.

Offering their advice and support for others

Khya shared her advice for students considering college. “Go where you actually feel like you’ll be supported and helped,” she said. “At Berkeley, people really care.” Emania continued, “Stay focused. You’re investing in yourself. Put in the time and effort and make the experience count. Skyla spoke of her personal journey, “Don’t underestimate how much you can achieve,” she shared. “I grew up with self-doubts and it hindered me. Berkeley has definitely helped me build my confidence!”

All in all, it was an exciting day that influenced and impacted the future of aspiring professionals. In other words, just another day at Berkeley College.

The views and/or opinions in this article are those of the individuals interviewed. The academic achievements and/or employment outcomes described in this article are specific to each individual and are not a guarantee of similar results for past or current students. For up-to-date and detailed information, please visit BerkeleyCollege.edu and view our catalogs at BerkeleyCollege.edu/publications.