By Steve Seepersaud
As a student, Lorin Miller '22 wanted to work in television production and went to an alumni-hosted employer visit at a major network in New York. Her current role as a broadcast associate at CBS Sports enables her to be on the other side of the interaction, serving as a resource for students interested in media careers.
Miller hosted students at her workplace Jan. 16, as part of New York City CONNECT. In addition to offering the Employer Trek, Miller spoke to students at Networking Night.
"[Having the] students at the Broadcast Center was a real full-circle moment for me," Miller said. "The students were prompt, came prepared with questions and were able to network with some of our production crew as we toured through studios. Hosting the trek also gave me the opportunity to connect with Julian Guevara '18, who works in studio production. I'm happy we were able to provide the space for students to make connections in the industry and learn what it takes to get our games and studio shows on the air."
During the week of Jan. 12, the Office of Alumni Engagement and Fleishman Career Center partnered on Networking Night — an event that brought students together with 130 alumni across a range of industries — as well as the Employer Treks, which also represented a variety of fields. More than 200 students attended the open networking forum held at Convene just off Times Square. Students were encouraged to ask questions, meet as many people as possible, and follow up afterward to keep the connections going.
"I’m graduating soon so this event was especially important to me," said Daniil Pavelko, a student in the School of Management's data analytics master's program. "It was my first real professional networking event in the U.S., and it helped me feel much more connected to the data science industry. Speaking directly with alumni and professionals gave me a clearer picture of career paths and expectations, and it was encouraging to see how Binghamton graduates are building successful careers in the field. The event genuinely boosted my confidence, expanded my network and made the transition from student to professional feel much more real and achievable."
Many alumni volunteer at Networking Night nearly every year because they feel passionate about helping students and they want to see the Binghamton network become stronger and more visible in Metro New York. The volunteers also remember when their own futures felt simultaneously exciting and scary.
"Life is a journey, but not a solitary one," said Glenn Moss '75, a business affairs attorney with extensive experience in media. "In an age when technology and politics often push individuals toward isolation, it is sharing experience and lessons learned that offers new direction and destination. Participating in networking and mentoring opportunities is a key part of that sharing. Meeting students at a moment when their individual journeys have so many possible paths of discovery ahead offers a chance to show that the possibilities of choice are real."
"Volunteering at Networking Night is always a no-brainer," said Chloe Van Caeseele '23, admissions recruiter at New York College of Podiatric Medicine. "I and so many others attended the event while we were students and that’s what I think drives the excitement for all of us to give back as alumni. As an alumna, it fills me with pride to see just how many former Bearcats show up to support students. I’m equally as impressed by how prepared, professional and driven the students are when interacting with them. Events like these remind me that I made the best investment of all by choosing Binghamton University."