Supporting students throughout their college journey as they define and refine the vision they have for themselves for their future lives and careers is an everyday activity at SUNY Old Westbury.
Two recent programs on campus illustrate the time and effort SUNY Old Westbury places on showcasing new pathways that students can consider.
The campus’ Science & Technology Entry Program and the Collegiate Science & Technology Entry Program and the Center of Excellence for Veteran Student Success, in collaboration with the New York State Department of Labor, showcased in different ways how students and local community members might find their future in the working world.
Serving Those Who Served
The campus community welcomed in student-veterans along with veterans from throughout Long Island for CEVSS’s Spring 2026 Career Fair. This collaborative event supported by the state Department of Labor connected veterans, students and community job seekers with potential employers and workforce resources to explore employment opportunities, build professional relationships and support career development.
“Connecting veterans with career opportunities honors their service and supports their transition to civilian life,” said Jennifer Jaikaran, director of the CEVSS. “This career fair demonstrates CEVSS’s commitment to providing veterans with meaningful employment and professional growth.”
More than 40 employers were featured at the fair, including the NY State Department of Veterans Services and Nassau County Department of Veterans Services, both providing support to veterans with filing claims and accessing other VA benefits.
The event was open to both the campus community and the public, emphasizing support for military‑connected individuals transitioning into civilian careers, with more than 209 job seekers in attendance.
Mavis Smith, ‘10, and Eric Doucet ‘16.
STEM Careers Ahead
STEP and CSTEP kicked off their 40th anniversary celebration with their annual Career Exploration Day. This year’s event was co-sponsored by STEP and CSTEP at Stony Brook University, bringing together students, alumni, and professionals for a day focused on opportunity, mentorship and career discovery.
Career Exploration Day gives both secondary school and college students the chance to network and explore career paths in STEM, medical and health fields and New York State licensed professions. The event featured 28 professionals who engaged directly with more than 50 students in attendance, sharing their career journeys and offering guidance to those interested in pursuing similar fields.
Two STEP alumni and 12 CSTEP alumni -- nine of whom graduated from SUNY Old Westbury -- returned to support the programs and connect with current students.
“When professionals, especially our alumni, return to share their journeys, they do more than tell their stories—they show our students what is possible,” said Monique Clark, co-director of CSTEP.
STEP students, who interact with SUNY Old Westbury as high school students, showcased projects they had been developing throughout the academic year during the event’s student research poster exhibition. The exhibition provided students with an opportunity to present their work, discuss their findings, and gain valuable feedback from professionals and peers.
“We were able to learn how scientists and other professions communicate their ideas and how the skills we learn in school can be connected to real professions in the future,” said Denis Sovjani ‘28, sophomore at Westbury High School and student presenter who hopes to pursue a career in Ophthalmology.