Using two giant, colorful parachutes to prompt them — and with guidance from faculty and staff across campus — Stony Brook students took part in a fun, interactive and, most importantly, informative journey toward launching their careers.
They were asked to contemplate their career alternatives. They were challenged to consider their skill sets. They were told about options, paths and resources of which they may not have been aware. And they got to do it all while “playing/working” together with the parachutes you may have seen, or played with, at kids’ parties or gym classes – circling different ways, placing their hands on certain colors for their answers, ‘popping’ up small colorful balls. Wolfie even joined in the fun.
The activities took place in SAC Ballroom B and were co-spearheaded by a Faculty Fellow from the Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) and Student Engagement & Activities (SEA). The event was also supported by these groups, all of which had a prominent presence and presentations to share with the students: Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE), Career Center (including Career Coaching, Internships, and the Center for Service Learning and Community Service), Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities (URECA), Center for Inclusive Education, Vertically Integrated Project (VIP) program, Study Abroad, External Fellowships and Scholarships, and the Graduate School.
Richard (‘Ricky’) Tomczak, director of faculty engagement, DUE, shared information on U-RISE (Undergraduate Retention Initiatives and Success Engagement), calling it “a one-stop-shop for anything related to student success at the university.” He explained, “We’re trying to fulfill the promise of transformative education here on campus and really putting the student at the center of everything so that we can enhance the overall student experience.”
Overseeing the Faculty Fellow program under DUE and the Office of the Provost, Tomczak was glad to see this event as a demonstration of how “the Faculty Fellow program offers professors the opportunity to develop and implement creative, innovative and/or experimental teaching strategies at Stony Brook” and to “dedicate time to honing their pedagogical skills and producing a polished, peer-reviewed work of scholarship based on their teaching.”
Marina Fandaros is assistant director for Undergraduate Research Engagement. She talked about how URECA pairs students with faculty mentors to do independent research, and also about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fellowships. She said the parachute event “was a great way for students to engage in a new and meaningful way and see that other students, like themselves, are still exploring and learning.”
BME Assistant Professor Mei Lin (‘Ete’) Chan, co-host for the event, said she was enthused by the strong support from so many areas, and she was heartened to see all the connections they got to make with students from different majors and with different interests and ambitions. “It’s a great way to help students ‘find themselves’ and, at the same time, to provide opportunities for our staff members to share all their great resources,” she said. Chan also expressed deep appreciation for her co-host SEA, which led to campus-wide student engagements beyond her department, College of Engineering & Applied Sciences (CEAS).
SEA was equally enthused to partner with CEAS and Chan. “Student Engagement always finds joy in working with faculty, staff and other departments to create meaningful and engaging events,” said assistant director Gillian Farnan. “Working with Dr. Chan is no different. She provided an idea that’s interactive and different than the traditional ways students may be learning how to develop their college careers and their leadership skills. That’s something we at SEA are constantly striving to achieve for our students. It was so wonderful working on this with her!”
Participating students had equally positive things to say about this parachute-themed launchpad for their careers.
Citing the ‘fun, hands-on and engaging vibe,’ Masrurah Morshed ‘26, said the event literally got her moving on her career path: “It didn’t just motivate me – it genuinely gave me a sense of direction that I’ve started acting on. After the event, I took a big step and began meeting with a career coach, something I hadn’t considered seriously before. This decision was directly influenced by the clarity and encouragement I felt during the event.”
Mohammad Kader ‘27 said, “This event allowed me to connect with inspiring individuals and programs that provided invaluable guidance, mentorship and career opportunities. As a result, I feel more confident in navigating my undergraduate studies and pursuing my professional goals after graduation.”
Tech & Engineering’s diversity career coach Simone Binneman summed it up like this: “The activities helped students connect with different departments and on-campus resources in a colorfully memorable and impactful way. And the event offered valuable insights into tools and support systems at Stony Brook University – like Stony Brook’s Eight Career Communities – that can help them grow professionally and be their best selves.”
If the title of the event sounds familiar, it’s because inspiration for the event came from the book, “What Color Is Your Parachute?”, which guides readers to think about how their personal preferences and strengths (e.g., mission in life, lifestyle preference, technical skills, soft skills, etc.) can help them determine a career that suits them best, and learn and improve skills they’ll need to follow that path.
To complete the ‘Color of Your Parachute’ experience, peer mentors were planning to follow up with students after the event.
— Ellen Cooke
Photos by Ellen Cooke and Jacquelyn Argondizza