The Storm King School’s annual Career Night became a virtual Career Week this year! From April 5-9, 2021, the Alumni and Development Office matched careers with SKS classes and alumni volunteered to speak to students via Zoom.

Throughout the event, there was a great representation of careers as alumni from as far as Montana and Arizona talked with classes about choosing a profession, getting into college, and shared highlights of their lives and professions after graduating from Storm King.

Careers explored this year included international and intergovernmental relations, forensic psychology, acting and theater, production design, architecture, computer science and data research, electrical engineering, hardware and software development, accounting, and chemistry/ laboratory management.

Many presenters also provided the students with great tips for success. For example, Yasmine LaBarca ’94, a Forensic Psychologist at Rikers Island, encouraged Mrs. Brown’s Psychology students to explore career options by talking to people in the field, shadowing, volunteering, or interning. “Do a lot of research and try things to see how you like them,” urged LaBarca, who began volunteering in a group and teaching a GED class as a college student.

In fields related to math and computer science, Michael Sollami ’02, who is a data scientist at Salesforce, advised students in Dr. Lance’s Advanced Calculus class to learn to code “because every field will become computational, and in the math and computer science world, employers care about your coding chops.”

For rising chemists in Mrs. Kolach’s Advanced Chemistry class, Renee Cusack ’74, a chemist and director of Envirotest Lab, emphasized the need for new graduates to learn from the bottom up and get on-the-job training in a testing lab: “For your first job, proving yourself can come above salary, and work ethic is also what employers look for.”

More great advice from the presenters included:

“Network! Meet people, make connections, and don’t be shy to get to know people.” –Christine Watson ’94

“Pay attention to unexpected opportunities that present themselves by being in the right place at the right time. Have a plan, but also be open to serendipity.” –Henry Jova ’68

“I learn beyond my job and I emphasize learning and improving every day to be better that I was the day before.” –Zeyi “Tommy” Tang ’14

“Communication, being in tune with your body, listening and empathy are developed in acting and the performing arts.  They are qualities for success in every field.” –Vallea Woodbury ’95

“I like to be around people who are better than I am at what I do, from whom I will learn.” –Sanford Worth ’02

“Gain experience in the field or a related field to enhance your knowledge and skill.” –Matt Lawrance ’96

Students were very positive about the Career Week experience, with comments such as “I found it very interesting and informational”  and “it was a wonderful experience!” Some students have followed up and been in touch with alumni since the presentations.

The Storm King School community sincerely thanks all of the Career Week 2021 presenters for sharing their time and wealth of knowledge with our students:

  • Renee Cusack ’74, Chemist/Envirotest Lab Manager
  • Henry Jova ’68, International and Intergovernmental Relations, Organization of American States
  • Yasmine V. LaBarca  MA, LMHC ’94, Forensic Psychologist, Rikers Island
  • Matt Lawrance ’96, Architect and Owner/Partner, Montana Creative
  • Michael Sollami PhD ’02, Data Scientist, Salesforce
  • Zeyi “Tommy” Tang ’14, Electrical Engineer in Accelerator Controls, Nat’l Synchrotron Light Source, at Brookhaven National Laboratory
  • Christine Watson CPA, ’94, Partner, Tax Division, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)
  • Vallea Woodbury MFA ’95, Acting, Voice Over, Acting Teacher, Production Manager
  • Sanford Worth ’02, Production Designer, Iron King LLC