Students embark on career exploration during NYC CONNECT
More than 300 students visit top employers such as Meta and NBCUniversal for a week of networking and professional growth
The Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development held the annual NYC CONNECT Employer Treks from Jan. 12–16. The week-long event invites Binghamton students to build connections while exploring a variety of New York City-based organizations.
NYC CONNECT saw participation from 304 undergraduate and graduate students across 34 employers including leading business, media and technology companies such as Meta and NBCUniversal. The week kicked off with Networking Night, co-sponsored by the Office of Alumni Engagement, where students had the chance to connect with alumni from a variety of backgrounds and industries who are now working in the metropolitan New York area.
“NYC CONNECT gives students rare, behind-the-scenes access to professionals, workplaces and career pathways they might not otherwise experience,” said Felicia Moreira ’01, MA ’02, the Fleishman Career Center’s associate director for employer engagement. “By stepping into real-world environments and conversations, students don’t just learn about careers, they meet people, ask questions and gain clarity and confidence about what’s possible for their futures.”
During each “Employer Trek,” students such as Hapsatou Deme, a junior double-majoring in history and economics, spoke with employees and learned about company values — gaining direct exposure to the workplace environment and culture before taking on official job and internship roles. A typical visit lasted two hours, consisting of an informational presentation, exclusive office tour, and Q&A session featuring a panel of alumni designed to familiarize attendees with the transition from Binghamton to the professional world.
“Attending this past NYC Networking Night and EY and Starr Employer Treks pushed me out of my comfort zone and into meaningful conversations with alumni in the fields I am interested in,” Deme said. “These experiences provided firsthand insight into the daily responsibilities at EY and Starr and allowed me to expand my professional network.”
Jared Lake ’22, MBA ’23 previously studied finance at Binghamton University and is now a surveys manager at AlphaSights, a global consulting firm. Lake has hosted students at the company’s Midtown office several years in a row, and was one of the 128 alumni who attended Networking Night.
“Hosting the AlphaSights trek was a proud moment to show off our office and gain fresh perspectives from students on AI and current coursework, all while scouting the next generation of Bearcat talent,” Lake said. “The Networking Night was equally valuable, allowing me to hear about diverse career paths and build alumni connections I wouldn’t have made otherwise. These events are a great way to give back and reflect on my own professional growth since graduation.”
Equally rewarding for students and alumni, NYC CONNECT reinforces the growing network of connections at Binghamton University and showcases the diversity of opportunities available beyond graduation.
“Binghamton University alumni are among our most powerful partners in supporting students’ career journeys,” Moreira said. “When they open their doors to students, they turn a visit into a meaningful experience that builds confidence, creates real connections and strengthens the Binghamton community.”
The Fleishman Career Center will host two additional employer treks in Washington, D.C., and Boston this spring, featuring sites including NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard — allowing students to explore potential careers across other major U.S. cities. Alumni or employers interested in hosting a future trek can learn more on the Fleishman Career Center website.