Alumni Engagement Hosts ‘Doing Business in NYC’

02/24/2015 

SUNY Cortland students looking to chase big dreams in the Big Apple are invited to attend “Doing Business in NYC” on Thursday, March 19, in New York City.

The Alumni Engagement event takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. at New York University’s Torch Club, located at 18 Waverly Place, during the College’s spring break. Students will learn about the value of networking and a graduate will present to the group as a whole.

It is free to attend but pre-registration is required. Students can register by accessing RedDragonNetwork.org/doingbusiness, calling Alumni Engagement at 607-753-2516 or visiting the office on the second floor of Brockway Hall between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The registration deadline is Thursday, March 12.

“When students hear career advice from alumni who are actually living the experience, there’s some validation,” said Erin Boylan, the College’s associate director of alumni engagement. “These alumni learned from some of the same professors and in a few cases, they worked the same internships that are still available for current students.”

Participating students are required to attend a pre-event Networking Boot Camp at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, in Career Services, located in Van Hoesen Hall, Room B-5. Networking basics and an overview of the event will be provided. Students who are unable to attend are asked to contact Alumni Engagement.

“Students are exploring occupational choices and becoming involved with internships early in their college careers,” said John Shirley, the College’s director of career services. “Employers have indicated that experience is essential to securing a job.

“The earlier students get involved, the better.”

According to a report from the National Survey of Student Engagement, 73 percent of SUNY Cortland students who were surveyed had participated in a form of hands-on learning by their senior year, whether it was through an internship, clinical assignment or field experience.

“You learn by doing,” Boylan said. “And that’s something all of our alumni stress.”