Career Center Hosts Summer Career Studio for SBU Employees’ College‑Age Children

The Stony Brook University Career Center hosted Design Your Summer: Career Studio for College Students, a hands-on, four-hour workshop created as a special thank-you to the faculty and staff who support our work year-round.

Designed exclusively for the college-age children of current SBU employees, the June 17 event offered students an energizing space to explore opportunities, strengthen their materials, and design what comes next using the Career Center's signature Life Design-inspired tools.

Throughout the day, participants rotated through three coach-led sessions focused on job and internship search strategies, strengthening resumes and cover letters, and building a professional presence on LinkedIn. The workshop combined hands-on skill-building with reflection, helping students refine their materials, clarify their personal brand and strengthen the storytelling that drives effective career planning. Each participant left with a certificate of completion recognizing their engagement and the skills they developed.

Heather O'Connor, assistant director of career development and one of the day's facilitators, reflected on the experience: "It was a truly positive and impactful day. Seeing students strengthen their career skills was incredibly rewarding. The activities were engaging and interactive, and it was exciting to watch students step out of their comfort zones and think creatively. Participants told us they especially appreciated learning how to tailor their resumes, navigate online job searches and use LinkedIn to grow their professional networks."

One attendee, Joshua Thiele, shared his enthusiasm about the experience, saying, "I enjoyed creating my resume and learning about how to create a professional LinkedIn profile. This will help me prepare myself for the future." He also shared that he was excited to receive a certificate at the end.

For the Career Center, the event was also a meaningful way to give back to the campus community. By creating this opportunity for the children of SBU employees, the Career Center celebrated the faculty and staff who partnered to help build a campus culture where career exploration and professional growth are supported at every stage. The success of Design Your Summer reflects the strength of the SBU community and gives gratitude to the faculty and staff who make this work possible.