By: Arlenis Marmolejos
Students and employers meeting inside the Performing Arts Center. (Photo by Arlenis Marmolejos)
The Career Development Center (CDC) opened doors of opportunity at its annual Job and Internship Fair, welcoming all students and alumni to explore potential career interests on March 20.
Over 80 employers from various organizations gathered inside the upper lobby of the Performing Arts Center (PAC) to share their available internship and job positions.
“You’ll never know where [the fair] will lead you,” said Chanelle McKenzie, a junior mathematics and computer sciences and language and culture double major. “I find so much fun in meeting people and seeing all the different careers and places I can go!”
McKenzie found particular interest in learning about the United States Secret Service career paths at the fair.
Tyler Lee (to the left) and Richard Kudla (to the right) from the U.S. Secret Service. (Photo by Arlenis Marmolejos)
Special agents from the U.S Secret Service, Tyler Lee and Richard Kudla, presented career opportunities within the agency, including openings for uniformed division officers and special agents.
Despite the “highly competitive” hiring process, Kudla emphasized, “As long as you hit the health and academic standards and you’re really honest and have great character, chances are you will probably get hired.”
Checkers Bischoff, a freshman theater and performance major, shared a desire in securing a job with promising opportunities for the summer. “There were a lot of summer camp jobs, so I took a look at as many as I could!” Bischoff said.
Nivek Palmer (to the left) and Purchase Day Camp Assistant Director, Frank Dellaripa, (to the right). (Photo by Natalie Tulloch)
“You have your whole life to grow up. Why not get paid to be a kid?” said Kat Berkowitz, the program administrator and special events coordinator for Purchase Day Camp.
Berkowitz is looking for college students with a “strong drive to better themselves” and spend their summer outdoors. She emphasized the importance of communication, time management, and conflict resolution skills, while also serving as a role model for kids.
An employee at the Purchase Day Camp and sophomore communications major, Nivek Palmer, shared the “matter of convenience” it is for interested Purchase students to apply since the camp is located nearby.
“The camp is a great experience with fun activities such as pools, archery, art, and games that staff enjoy just as much as the kids do,” Palmer said.
Mario R. Carrion, the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute new media manager (to the left) and Viannca Vélez, the director of communications (to the right). (Photo by Natalie Tulloch)
The Director of Communications at the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute, Viannca Vélez, seeks talent and interns eager to learn about the institution and contribute to the team, whether through communication, programming, or new media skills.
“We are an arts and culture institution that is based out of East Harlem, and we use our culture to advance racial and social justice for African descendant communities,” Vélez said.
Michael Innocenzi (to the left) and Moises Guerrero, a ballroom dance instructor (to the right) at Arthur Murray Dance Studio. (Photo by Arlenis Marmolejos)
Michael “Powers” Innocenzi, owner of the Arthur Murray Dance Studios in White Plains and Eastchester, finds joy in teaching people how to dance. He aims to help people find happiness through dance and seeks employees who share this passion.
“We’re offering a place where the dance community here can prove their families wrong because you actually can have a career in dance and make a hell of a living doing it!” Innocenzi said.
A line of students stood waiting for Josue Mendoza to photograph their LinkedIn headshots. (Photo by Arlenis Marmolejos)
Josue Mendoza, a senior photography major and employee of the Office of Communications and Creative Services, captured 54 students’ LinkedIn headshots in the span of two hours at the fair.
Despite the time pressure, Mendoza recognized the importance of headshots for job applications as they often form the initial impression for employers. “It’s not easy being in front of the camera with a complete stranger and posing for a potential employer, but everyone did amazing and it’s my job to get them there.”
“I never get tired of meeting new people and trying my best to make them look their best,” Mendoza said.
As Estefania Gomez-Mejia, a junior law and justice studies major, searched for an internship opportunity, she acknowledged the CDC’s fair for its resources, organization and providing “a little bit of everything” regarding the employer offerings.
The Director of the CDC, Wendy Morosoff, elaborated on the extensive yearlong planning involved in organizing the fair including inviting employers, coordinating job opportunities, and marketing the event to ensure student participation and engagement.
Morosoff mentioned many employers return annually because “they admire how really smart, different, interesting and how on the ball” Purchase students are.
If you missed the fair, you may access the Participant Guide to view information about the employers who attended or explore more details on the Jobscore website.