Empowering STEM Students: The City Tutors and CCNY Partner to Expand Career Opportunities
On October 24th, The City Tutors, in collaboration with The City College of New York’s Division of Science, hosted a dynamic networking event aimed at helping STEM students explore career possibilities beyond traditional research roles. This event combined a fun “talk-show” style conversation, hosted by Kevin Brown, with a hands-on networking session, giving students the chance to gain practical advice and engage directly with professionals from diverse industries, including business, education, and operations.
"Our students know that networking is one of the most valuable skills to learn and this event created a low-pressure, fun atmosphere for them to practice talking to others.” —Susan Perkins, Dean, Division of Sciences at City College.
A Special Thank You to Our City Mentors:
Following the conversation where recent grads of CCNY, a Professor of Physics and Shannon Gallagher, one of the City Tutors mentors shared their experiences and tips on networking, students had the opportunity to put their newly acquired skills into practice during a mingling session. They connected with classmates, faculty, and potential mentors or supervisors. Coaches, along with Dean of Science Susan Perkins, circulated the room, facilitating conversations and ensuring students were fully engaged.
The City Tutors extends a heartfelt thank you to all the mentors from the City Mentors Program who participated in this event. Your time, expertise, and dedication were invaluable in guiding students as they explore their future career opportunities.
A Range of Expertise:
The City Mentors who participated brought a wealth of knowledge from a variety of fields:
Shannon Gallagher – B2B corporate development and marketing executive, specializing in strategy, media measurement and data analytics, within the pharmaceutical and business insurance industries.
Susan Chy – CEO and Co-Founder of HappyHire, focusing on HR and talent development for tech startups.
Conrad Albrecht – Adjunct Professor at Columbia University; Senior Researcher at the German Aerospace Center, offering insights into how STEM skills translate into large-scale industry projects.
Wilma Feliciano – An educator with extensive experience in K-12 and higher education, discussing career paths in academia.
Michelle Tram – Operations and Strategy Specialist with a background in media and tech, sharing how analytical skills can benefit operational roles.
"I had a great time interacting with the students in person. They displayed immense curiosity, ambition, and much promise in the next generation's workforce."-Susan Chy
"Getting in touch with a diverse set of young minds passionate about science was refreshing and rewarding. Networking with and teaching the next generation of researchers is an investment into our country's future." Conrad Albrecht
The City Tutors and CCNY: A Deep and Shared Civic Connection
The City Tutors was born at City College, incubated within its community from the very beginning. Our deep connection with CCNY, especially through the Colin Powell School, has shaped the civic-minded values that continue to drive our mission today. We are committed to supporting CUNY learners by providing free, on-demand academic and career support tailored to meet their needs.
Since our inception, we’ve launched over 1,000 mentorships, directly contributing to the success of first-generation, immigrant, and historically underserved communities across New York City. These mentorships empower students to explore diverse career pathways and gain the confidence to succeed in their academic and professional journeys.
Looking Ahead:
The City Tutors is excited to continue expanding its programming, with more networking events, mentorship opportunities, and career development workshops planned. Strengthening our partnership with CCNY, particularly the Division of Science, will be key to creating even more pathways for students to thrive in a range of careers beyond traditional STEM roles.