On a busy afternoon inside the Gordon Student Center, students and alumni had the opportunity to explore employment options in one central location.
Onondaga Community College’s Office of Career & Transfer Services hosted a STEM Career & Internship Showcase, connecting more than 150 students with regional employers. The event reflected a core part of OCC’s mission: preparing students not just to graduate, but to thrive in the workforce.
A total of 154 students attended, including 130 from the School of Technology, Engineering, and Computing, alongside students from the School of Arts, Communication, Business & Entrepreneurship, and the School of Liberal Arts & Sciences. They met with employers representing a wide range of industries interested in strengthening their workforce.
One of those who took advantage of the opportunity was Ricky Stephens, a 27-year-old student in OCC's new Welding degree program. “The Welding program is absolutely terrific. The professors are amazing. They try their best to make it fun and entertaining,” said Stephens. “One of their sayings is if you're not having fun, you're not learning.”
The STEM Showcase presented him with the ability to learn about multiple employment possibilities. “I want to see what my options are. There’s a lot in Syracuse. This is a wonderful place. There’s a wonderful community here. This event is very resourceful. It’s very good for students who want to pursue their career dreams and desires.”
Stephens is attending OCC tuition-free thanks to the SUNY Reconnect program. “It’s important to me and any student who is able to qualify. There’s a lot of assistance out there for students, and the more help you can get, the better.”
That sense of support doesn’t end at graduation, a fact that alumni like Bruce Christian know firsthand. Christian, a 39-year-old father of three and December 2025 graduate of OCC’s Electromechanical Technology program, returned to campus for the showcase as he looks to transition fully into his field. “It’s time to focus on what I went to school for,” he said, after years of working in roofing, painting, and home improvement.
At the event, he connected with employers and found the experience both encouraging and empowering. “It’s been amazing. Everyone has been very transparent.” Christian also emphasized the lasting impact of OCC’s Career & Transfer Services team. “Julie (Ende) helped me update my resume. I think it’s cool that as an alumni, I can still come,” he said. “Everyone has told me, if I need help after I graduate, contact us and, we will help you. They kept their word inviting me here.”
That continued connection has shaped his experience beyond the classroom. “I graduated, and people stayed in touch with me. They’re very caring. Everyone’s like, ‘if you need help, reach out.’ They’re just here to help you get to the next level of your life and better your life.”
For Career & Transfer Specialist Julie Ende, that ongoing support is intentional. “Supporting our alumni is something I care deeply about as an alumnus myself,” she said. “We see career development as a lifelong process, not something that ends at graduation. Students don’t stop needing guidance once they leave campus. If anything, that’s when many of the biggest transitions and decisions begin. Our goal is to empower students with the tools and confidence to succeed.”
That philosophy is reflected in how often alumni return for guidance, whether they are updating resumes, exploring new careers, or continuing their education. “It is very common that our alumni come back after graduating for assistance with transfer and updating their resumes,” said Deb Barney, Assistant Director of Career & Transfer Services. “Sometimes they seek assistance with changing jobs or careers too.”
With 18 participating employers, the showcase served as a powerful reminder of OCC’s role as a bridge between education and employment. Below is a list of our employer partners who came to campus for the event:
- Belden
- SRC
- Smurfit West Rock
- Pike Construction
- DL Manufacturing
- Eaton
- Industrial Fabricating Corp
- National Grid
- King+King Architects
- Seneca Stone Corporation
- Byrne Dairy
- Dwyer Architectural
- Novelis
- Mission Technologies
- Nucor Steel
- CS Automation, A Tramec Company
- N.E.T. & Die, Inc.
- Tessy Plastics
OCC's Career & Transfer Services office is here to help! You can contact the office by email at careerservices@sunyocc.edu and phone at 315.498.2585.
