How can Long Island create an environment that is attractive to young people? It’s a question Vision Long Island has sought to answer for 16 years with its annual Smart Growth Summit.
Vision Long Island’s events promote a more sustainable Long Island. This year’s Summit, held Dec. 1 in Woodbury, featured more than a dozen panels on such key local topics as increasing clean energy and affordable housing. A panel that discussed ways to keep the next generation on Long Island included two high-achieving SJC alumni.
Michael DeCicco, an HTM graduate who recently landed a job at Huntington Hospital on the heels of an SJC-led internship, and Xzavia N. Miles, a therapeutic recreation graduate working at the Maria Regina Residence in Brentwood, joined industry leaders Paul Trapani of LISTnet, Jamie Moore of LI Manufacturers Association and Ryan Stanton of Opportunities Long Island.
The Power of The Internship
Alongside Long Island leaders in manufacturing, information technology and construction, the two SJC panelists explained to the audience at the summit what kept them on Long Island after graduation. Their stories lead back to the importance of internship opportunities made available through the College.
“Originally I did not live on the Island — I lived on Rhode Island,” said Miles. “I decided to attend St. Joseph’s because of the therapeutic recreation program, and the reason I stayed was because St. Joseph’s afforded me the opportunity to complete an internship that kept me on the Island. Through my internship, I was hired at Port Jefferson Rehab, and then I moved on to Maria Regina.”
Internships Spark Growth
DeCicco, employed as an access control coordinator at Huntington Hospital, also cited his internship as a key factor in keeping him on Long Island.
“St. Joseph’s is an extremely hands-on school,” DeCicco told the crowd. “Because of the College, I was able to intern at Brookhaven Hospital, Huntington Hospital and Good Samaritan Hospital. I really found my fit in health care.”
In addition to DeCicco and Miles, dozens of representatives from St. Joseph’s College made the journey to Crest Hollow Country Club for the Smart Growth event. Students at SJC Long Island attended alongside Associate Dean Gail Lamberta, Ph.D.; Department of Business Administration and Marketing Chair Eileen White Jahn, Ph.D.; and SJC professor/Supervisor-Elect of the Town of Huntington Chad Lupinacci.
“(The Smart Growth Summit) helps us to connect our students to all the companies here on Long Island,” said Dr. Lamberta. “I think it’s important not just for the students to be able to network with these individuals, but more important to learn about the initiatives on the Island. This is what awakens our students. We want them to stay here and we’re taking a leading role, and I think that’s important for the College.”
Lupinacci, Lamberta, White Jahn and DeCicco pose with SJC students at the 2017 Smart Growth Summit.
