Berkeley College NYC Summer Career Experience offers hands-on look into different fields

The curious came out in force on a hot summer day in New York City for the annual Berkeley College Summer Career Experience. Excitement and enthusiasm were in the air during hands-on activities and presentations by industry experts and faculty members, taking an up-close look at careers in business, fashion, health services management, interior design, criminal justice, and the legal field.

A warm welcome to the Berkeley community

The busy day began with a brief welcome by Dr. Diane Recinos, President of Berkeley College, and Linda Mauro, Campus Operating Officer at the New York City campus. “I’m thrilled that this event was such a success!” according to Ms. Mauro. “It helped solidify the interest of our prospective and incoming Fall students by giving them a hands-on preview of the experiences they can expect as Berkeley College students. By engaging with faculty and staff early on, they also experienced firsthand the welcoming and supportive nature of the Berkeley community.”

Diving into the emerging technology of Artificial Intelligence

Next, Dr. Kim Felsenthal, the keynote speaker, spoke about the importance of General Education classes in the age of AI. In an open discussion and in groups, the audience used AI to create a list of courses that help students develop life skills. The group then all discussed the classes that AI created. The take-a-way was AI can be a tool to enhance learning: through idea generation, collaborative learning, and critical thinking. 

Then it was down to business.

Business Think Tank: The Creation of a Business Plan

In the "Business Think Tank" workshop, Professor Kim Malcolm of the Larry L. Luing School of Business® guided students through the essential aspects of business planning. Participants learned about the key components of a business plan, including the executive summary, company description, market analysis, products and services, marketing plan, and financial projections. “This interactive, engaging, and hands-on workshop provided a collaborative experiential learning opportunity that empowered students to explore their entrepreneurial potential while immersing them in real-world scenarios,” Professor Malcolm noted.

Justice in Focus: Exploring Crime, Law, and Society

For those exploring justice and legal careers, a Forensic Observation Skills Workshop put their detective instincts to the test. Dr. Judith Corbett Carter from the Justice Studies - Criminal Justice program in the Berkeley College School of Professional Studies led the activity, in which participants reviewed a case study and examined crime scene photos, using their observational abilities to analyze evidence. They had the chance to contribute to the "murder board," evaluate clues, and draw conclusions about the prime suspect. It was a fun, engaging activity where students worked hard and were invested in solving the mystery.

“The workshop was very interesting, learning the thought process of a police officer was remarkable,” said Hiroyo Isaji, an international student attending Rennert International. “And understanding every word made me realize how far I have come in my language learning journey.”

 Ririma Arai, also a Rennert student, added, “I am exploring schools in New York and this event was very interesting. I think I’ll be staying and continuing my studies.” 

Make. Create. Innovate. Unleashing Your Potential in Graphic Design

Professor Julia Hutchinson, Chair of the Graphic Design program, led attendees in a collaborative discussion about what graphic design is and how courses relate to real-world client scenarios. One example was a fictional luxury grooming salon right in the heart of NYC. Students shared their thoughts on what graphic design solutions would fit the needs of that establishment. Professor Hutchinson walked them through courses that focused on branding, typography, color theory, and other design fundamentals that would teach the skills needed to benefit the luxury salon. The session concluded with a showing of the Graphic Design Virtual Gallery, which uses emerging technology to showcase student work.

More than meets the eye 

The Graphic Design workshop was an eye-opener for Chloe C., a high school student, who said, “I had no idea that graphic design is more than just creating a design that looks good. It’s about studying and understanding why the design is appealing to the eye. This workshop changed my perspective in so many ways.”

Health Services Management: Careers in the Business of Healthcare

Dr. Barbara Cohen presented a wide variety of careers in the Health Services Management field. From hospitals to government employment as well as in private practices, Dr. Cohen and the participants discussed opportunities across the lifespan. 

Sustainability & Fashion: How Brands Are Implementing Sustainability in Their Business Models

“The Fashion Career Workshop was truly inspiring,” according to Professor Dyandra Brown. “I had the opportunity to meet incoming and potential students interested in Fashion Merchandising and Management. The attendees were attentive, engaged, and seemed inspired by the program and sample lecture. We ended with a tour in the Designer-in-Residence space. The students who attended after were so enthusiastic and humbled to meet Chuks Collins in person and tour Bach Mai’s luxury collection. The students are coming to Berkeley College in the fall and seemed to be even more solidified on their decision after the workshop.” Brunette Michel, a Berkeley graduate who currently works at Macy’s, co-facilitated the Fashion Workshop.

“Today's workshop was very eye-opening,” according to Julius R., a high school student attending the workshop. “I learned that fashion is dangerous for the earth, it makes up 10% of the pollution worldwide. Professor Dyandra was great at getting us to think about the negative impact our purchases can have on the planet.”

Interior Design Discovery: Designing Your Future

In a workshop led by Professor Jaime Rodriguez of the Berkeley College Interior Design department, participants dove right into what it’s like to design the space where we live and work through a hands-on activity. They learned about a wide range of careers in residential, commercial, and all areas of interior design and the training and skills you need to enter the industry and excel.
 
 “It was an excellent workshop,” shared Mustapha Falestin. “I discovered new things like how the designer does much more than picking furniture, they also influence environment, expression and work with a team of engineers, architectures and mother professionals. Thank you, Berkeley, for the experience.”

Also in attendance were team members from several organizations in the Berkeley College Corporate Learning Partnership (CLP), including T-Mobile, Operation Equivalency, Jamaica Hospital, and other area companies. CLP member organizations take advantage of Berkeley College’s specialized training programs and often recruit Berkeley students and graduates for internship and full-time employment opportunities.

Explore. Engage. Excel.

The day concluded with the presentation of certificates to the participants, followed by lunch and a chance for all to network. The consensus on the action-packed day seemed clear: From expert perspectives on some of today’s in-demand career fields to engaging hands-on activities to a taste of what college-level learning is like, the annual Berkeley College Summer Career Experience was truly a day that could change your future.

Moments from an Action-Packed Day

It was non-stop engagement as students explored career fields, learned from accomplished industry professionals, and participated in hands-on activities at the annual Berkeley College Summer Career Experience.

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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.