Shaping Futures: Stony Brook Alumni Guide Students Through Mentor Connect

Navigating the job search after graduation can feel overwhelming — especially for students preparing to take their next steps beyond their time at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. Many aren’t sure where to begin or whether they’re on the right path. That’s where Stony Brook’s alumni community steps in. Through Stony Brook Mentor Connect, a mentoring platform offered through the Career Center, students and alumni build meaningful relationships that offer guidance, encouragement and real-world insight. Together, alumni are shaping the future — one conversation at a time.

“Nearly two years since its launch, Mentor Connect has quickly become one of Stony Brook’s most impactful engagement tools, growing to over 3,200 users and transforming how students, alumni and Seawolf friends connect,” said Marie Parziale, manager of Alumni Career Services. 

Parziale and Margot Palermo, manager of alumni student engagement, credit the platform’s success on the benefits of alumni sharing their journeys, offering career insights and advice and making a meaningful difference in students’ lives, all while reconnecting with the university community. “I like to describe Mentor Connect as the Seawolf LinkedIn. Students can gain direct access to real-world guidance, valuable industry perspectives and a network of professionals who can help them navigate career decisions and open new doors,” said Palermo. “Mentor Connect has flourished with active mentorship matches, thriving career communities and increased participation in panels, speaker sessions and networking events.” 

• MORE: Sign Up for Mentor Connect

Nontraditional Pathways

For Monique Watson ’14, joining the Mentor Connect program was a way to give back to the community that had given her so much. “I know the importance of receiving support and guidance, as I did while in undergrad,” she said. “I want to be a resource to students so they can learn from my experiences and feel more confident as they navigate their own paths.”

Now serving as director of generative artificial intelligence (AI) strategy at the College Board, Watson has found the platform to be a meaningful way to connect with current students and share advice. In a conversation last year with a computer science and applied mathematics major, Watson reflected on her career journey and how she transitioned into AI leadership after studying political science and history at Stony Brook. That exchange opened the door to a deeper discussion about the evolving job market and strategies the senior could use to build a strong portfolio.

Watson, a 2024 40 Under Forty honoree, encourages both alumni and students to explore Mentor Connect, noting that it provides direct access to individuals who have already navigated the paths students are beginning to take. “The platform creates space for real questions, honest insight and authentic stories,” said Watson, “perspectives that don’t always appear in brochures or job descriptions but can make all the difference in shaping future success.”

Bringing Alumni Back to Campus

Mentor Connect is more than a one-on-one student experience. It’s also a valuable way for staff and faculty to strengthen ties with alumni, keeping them engaged in campus programs, panels, lectures and the broader Stony Brook community. Alyssa Bergman, MA ’23, programming and outreach coordinator for the Department of English, uses Mentor Connect to design outreach initiatives for her department. She has successfully brought alumni onto the platform and collaborates with them on projects such as the Career Center’s Alumni Words of Wisdom Wall and panel presentations. 

Bergman believes that having a mentor is valuable at any stage of a career, whether it’s a student navigating aspirations or an alum considering a change. She sees Mentor Connect as a powerful tool for building relationships and seeking guidance that can shape success.

“Being able to directly speak with someone in a field you might be interested in can help narrow down future options,” Bergman said. “Mentor Connect opens the door to insights that can be transformative for anyone exploring a career path or considering their next step.”

Giving His Time

Derek Peterson ’88, founder and CEO of Soter Technologies and current biomedical engineering PhD candidate, has been mentoring Stony Brook students for more than a decade through programs such as WolfieTank and the Students and Alumni Networking Mixer. When he learned about Stony Brook Mentor Connect, he saw it as a natural extension of his commitment to student success. “I love to give back,” Peterson said. “So, Mentor Connect was a perfect fit. If I can help more students in a larger capacity, why not?”

Mentor Connect has enabled Peterson to connect with many enthusiastic students, allowing him to have meaningful discussions about their careers and goals. “Helping students navigate the murky waters of graduation — whether they’re wondering about grad school, career options or what the job market looks like — is incredibly rewarding,” he said. “Guiding them toward clear perspectives and confident choices and then seeing them thrive, that’s huge.”

Peterson feels the platform is easy to navigate for both students and alumni. “Mentor Connect is a simple but powerful way for alumni to give back,” Peterson said. “By sharing just a bit of time, alumni can help students navigate their pathways, build clarity about their options and move toward successful careers. It’s about using your time, talents and experiences to make a lasting impact.”

Gaining Confidence

For students, the benefits of using Mentor Connect are wide-ranging. “Mentor Connect gives students like myself the opportunity to build meaningful connections with fellow Seawolves,” said Anthony Attanasio, a senior studying business management and accounting. “It’s a space where we can learn directly from others’ academic, professional and personal experiences.” These conversations can set students on their own career journeys and help them grow with confidence.

The platform also makes networking feel approachable. “Mentor Connect has taken something that once felt daunting and made it accessible,” said Tasnia Rahman, a senior studying business management with a concentration in finance and accounting. “It has connected me with professionals eager to advise, while giving me the confidence and tools to keep moving forward in my career aspirations.”

Stony Brook alumni understand the enduring power of education, mentorship and connection. Through Mentor Connect, they have the opportunity to make an impact, whether by offering a virtual coffee chat, sharing career advice or providing job-shadowing experiences that help shape student success. Beyond student engagement, Mentor Connect also fosters a vibrant alumni network, where graduates can reconnect, exchange insights and explore new opportunities within a supportive community.

Alumni looking to make a difference and students seeking career guidance can visit StonyBrookMentorConnect.com to create their profile and start connecting today.

-Christine McGrath