Brooklyn's Progress
June/July 2006

BY HAROLD EGELN

More than 1,000 eager, pre-selected senior class students from 14 Brooklyn colleges and universities made their way to New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge on May 3 to attend Brooklyn’s first ever College to Career Expo. The all-day event, gave students the chance to submit their resumes and talk face-to-face with recruiters from nearly 100 businesses from Brooklyn and beyond.

The event was a partnership with the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) and Borough President Markowitz, with the help of 14 Brooklyn colleges and universities.

"Simply put, Brooklyn students help make our borough a successful location for employers," said Kenneth Adams, Chamber President. “These talented and energetic students represent the future of Brooklyn's economy."

Mr. Adams was pleased and grateful, he said, that the Department of SBS asked the Chamber to coordinate the first ever College to Career Expo.

"This is exactly the type of dynamic partnership the Mayor had in mind when he merged the City's job development and training programs with SBS in 2003," said SBS Commissioner Robert Walsh.

"In addition to getting jobs, I know these talented young men and women will prove that by hiring Brooklyn, you're hiring the best," said Borough President Markowitz.

As students lined-up for the morning and afternoon sessions, personnel from the Workforce1 Career Centers, operated by the SBS in cooperation with the NYS Department of Labor and CUNY were on-hand to help.

The 14 participating colleges and universities included ASA Institute, Boricua College, Brooklyn College, Institute of Design and Construction, Kingsborough Community College, Long Island University, Medgar Evers College, NYC College of Technology, Polytechnic University, Pratt Institute, St. Francis College, St. Joseph's College, SUNY BEOC and Touro College.

"Here's a chance for students to get a great job and make plenty of money," said Jerry Hultin, President, Polytechnic University, which had 200 students participating. "There's a great need for engineers and scientists. Employers have an opportunity to select from our best students."

"They gave us the very best people," said Oliver Klapper, Director, Career Placement Center at Kingsborough Community College, of the SBS's choice of recruiters. "At the Expo are the best and brightest students ready for their careers of choice. It's quite a selection here."

Naomi Kinley, Director, Career Development Center, St. Francis College was also impressed. "This Expo helps get out more knowledge and awareness of the best career choices for students."

Students had a full menu to choose from, in addition to the recruiters there were nine jobs basic seminars led by experts in their fields as well as one-on-one sessions with employers.

"It's fantastic, just great!" exclaimed Mark John of New York City Technical College, who is seeking a careers as a technician. "This Expo has all the information you need. The recruiters make me feel comfortable."

"Basically, the Expo is very helpful for me," said Daniel Simon, a student at Kingsborough Community College who was looking for a job as a bank teller. "The set-up here is less intimidating, more open and down-to-earth, than having to go alone to an office. There are thousands like me here."

A wide spectrum of career opportunities was available to the students. Employers there an array of industries such as finance, insurance and real estate, healthcare, hospitality and tourism, information technology, government , nonprofits, business support, retail and utilities.

"This Expo is designed to assist many great students find the best choices available," said Martha Bear Dallis who produced the event.

The College to Career Expo was the last big event for Randolph Peers the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce’s Vice President for Economic Development. After four years at the Brooklyn Chamber Mr. Peers has left his post to become Executive Director at Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow, a Sunset Park workforce development program.

"I'm incredibly proud of this event," Mr. Peers said looking around the crowded room at the Marriott. "The cooperation of the 14 colleges and universities and their career services departments, the incredible assistance of the Department of Small Business Services, Borough President Markowitz, the many top career recruiters and the Chamber make me proud to be living and working in Brooklyn."