Inside the Staten Island Hilton Garden Inn Hotel, the Center for Career and Professional Development hosted more than 70 employers for first-year to senior students preparing to begin their first internship or professional job opportunity.

On Thursday April 10, the Hilton had 72 tables with employers across New York looking for students and alumni qualified to join their company through a career path or internship that can open new doors and new opportunities. Benefits like practicing communication skills and learning about new employers is how this event granted a multitude of other resources as well.

Each table had different interests that resonated with students searching for opportunities in their specific fields, but there were also multiple tables with employers searching for students of every major. There were also a number of New York City agencies, like the Mayor’s Office, FDNY, and DCAS, who frequently hire CUNY students.

Outside the Persimmon Room entrance, students who hadn’t already registered signed up for the event and were handed folders with a notepad, information for organizing business cards and informational brochures, and steps regarding how to keep in contact with the companies they visited. Students also had the choice, whether before or after talking to employers, to get a professional headshot for their Handshake, Indeed, or LinkedIn profiles, and many students took advantage of the opportunity.

Marisol Acevedo who is a Communications in Marketing major at CSI, spoke about some of her strongest skills that she presented at the tables. She is currently doing an internship where she displays her skills like communication and organization. At this type of event, even if your major does not directly align with some tables, it’s also important to network with different recruiters and employers, especially with those who do match with your interests so they can remember you.

Acevedo found interest in The Sensory Studio’s table, specifically their social media position. They work with children as a private family-based therapy practice program that helps enhance communication, develop functional skills, and increase independence.

“I was definitely interested in The Sensory Studio because they work with kids, and I’ve also worked with kids, but they have a social media team so I’m more interested in that,” said Acevedo. “I think it’s good to have experience in both areas so I think those two skills for that specific job would work out very well.”

Muhammad Hassan, an Accounting and Finance and Business Management major who just graduated from CSI, mentioned he just recently finished his time at a full-time job and in the meantime has been looking for a new accounting position. He spoke about his confident approach when talking to employers and how you should believe in yourself.

“I’m always confident, because I feel that it is very important to believe in yourself,” said Hassan. “Not many accounting or finance majors here but you still get to network and it’s better than getting nothing, you have to get out of the house if you want to find anything and stay positive.”

So many students at the Career Fair got to experience how it is to be in a professional setting for the first time and had the chance to make large strides throughout this event. Even for students who already had experience like Hassan, it was a great opportunity to provide a handful of companies a reason why they’re a match for employers. If you’re a student who feels you weren’t prepared or did not speak to enough tables, the 2025 Pathways to Success Career Fair won’t be the last one. Be sure to visit the Office of Career and Professional Development in Building 1A, Room 105 for more information.

By Kyle Cicero