One graduate, five questions, go ...
Joseph Park '12, '18M (Biological Sciences, B.S.; Accounting, M.S.)
Managing a New Jersey-based technology startup company
How did your education prepare you for what you are doing today?
The foundational coursework in science and business has prepared me to be a critical thinker and a lifelong learner in the workforce. I am open to learning new things and topics that will help me become better at my job and help me advance my career. Post graduation, I may not receive college credits for the new topics and courses that I learn, but a part of me never stops being a college student.
What is your greatest professional accomplishment or recent professional accomplishment to date?
My greatest professional accomplishment is learning and growing in a field I did not go to college for to help lead global agile technology operations and programs. During college, I thought I would be a doctor, dentist, scientific researcher, or accountant. I never would have thought that I would be managing the change for 40,000 to 200,000 global employees.
What programs do you support at SUNY Old Westbury, and why?
I support programs that help students transition into a professional career, whether it's learning and being exposed to working in a scientific research laboratory, supporting IT on campus, helping to manage campus programs, media, broadcasting, etc. Anything that helps students join the professional world post-college that provides learning beyond the lecture halls.
Do you have advice for current students?
Network, Network, Network. SUNY Old Westbury is a quick train ride from NYC on the LIRR. If you have some time between college classes and working, make an effort to attend a few networking events in the city. Meet new people who may connect you with your first internship or full-time job post-graduation. I personally found that studying on the LIRR, either on my tablet or physical printouts, was efficient.
What is your favorite memory of, and/or spot on, on campus?
My favorite memory of SUNY Old Westbury was working in the laboratory with Dr. Manya Mascareno in the Natural Science building along with the students and lab trainees. I learned valuable skills that helped me with managing teams and co-leading corporate R&D technology lab teams. I learned practical science skills beyond studying just to get the right answer on an exam.
Posted December 2024
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