For the past 10 years, the Magner Career Center—a visionary professional resource created by Marge Magner ’69, and unique among the City University of New York (CUNY)—has had a record of unparalleled success in providing the over 26,000 diligent and driven Brooklyn College students registered there an edge in the marketplace. To help meet the real-world challenges facing graduates entering the workplace, the center provides expert academic, career, and internship counseling services—including resume and cover letter review, mock interview sessions, and access to career workshops, job and internship fairs, and a network of over 900 alumni in nearly every professional field. The center also has relationships with over 2,500 employers who actively recruit at the campus, offering employment and internship opportunities. Some 50 percent of those internships are paid; others are supplemented with competitive stipends. More than $1.7 million has been awarded to over 400 students thanks to our generous alumni and charitable organizations.

September is Magner Month and Brooklyn College alumni who have utilized and been helped by the center and its staff, or act as donors and mentors, have returned to share their stories with the entire campus community.

Nicole Dillon ’13, Program Associate at New Visions for Public Schools

The Magner Career Center definitely had a major impact on my college and professional career. Specifically, Ms. Guarin-Klein became a guiding force for me. I remember walking into her office during my first semester as a transfer student. At the time, I was a sales associate at Staples, and I wanted so much more for myself. I was confused and overwhelmed with which direction to take. Ms. Guarin-Klein gave such simple, yet profound advice that stuck with me. We talked through all the things that I was interested in professionally, and came up with a plan. A few months later, I landed my very first internship in the Human Resources department at Warner Music Group. I greatly attribute this to the help of Ms. Guarin-Klein. I have had a few more encounters with her that have helped me tremendously professionally. I have also attended several workshops at the center that have polished my skills, and gave me the ability to network with professionals. All in all, Ms. Guarin-Klein and the Magner Center were my saving grace as a young, confused transfer student at Brooklyn College.

Polina Ferd ’14, Research Assistant at Weill-Cornell Medical College

The Magner Career Center has served me as the biggest tool throughout my undergrad career. Though I had found a position on my own, the Magner Center counseled me to take another, initially unpaid internship that I knew would better benefit my future career path. I am now in negotiations with that company for possible hire. Natalia Guarin-Klein in particular was a great mentor for me ever since I met her as a freshman through the Honors Academy program. I believe every student at Brooklyn College should be required to meet with a career adviser from the Magner Career Center. Brooklyn College has vast opportunities for its students—fellowships, study abroad programs, possible stipends, and internships.

Sean Smirnov ’09, Associate at BR Ventures

In 2003, I arrived in the United States from St. Petersburg, Russia. I was 20 years old and homeless; I slept in Central Park. I performed odd jobs to survive: Washed dishes at a summer camp, did day work in demolition and construction, sold photography in Times Square, etc.

In 2005, I enrolled at Brooklyn College. During my first semester, I went to every event at the center that I could squeeze into my class schedule. I also learned about Brooklyn College Learning Center and became a chemistry tutor there. Eventually, it turned into several teacher assistant roles and grew into a private tutoring service.

The Magner Career Center is a bridge between academic studies and a professional career. It allows students to capitalize on knowledge obtained at school and helps to put things into perspective. In addition, the center creates the direction for student development by providing them with metrics used by potential employers, allowing them to view their knowledge and skills through the perspective of their future careers.

I would like to continue the tradition and provide interested students with access to high-achieving speakers, as well as specifically tailored career guidance. Back in the day when I was the founding president of Pre-Health Professions Club on campus, we collaborated closely with the Magner Career Center to provide opportunities for students interested in health-related careers. The center played a crucial role in setting people on long-term career paths. I would like to continue this work by creating stronger ties with graduate programs around the country and encouraging our students to be a part of the effort.

I graduated Brooklyn College with a B.S. in Chemistry and B.A. in Psychology in 2009, Magna Cum Laude, and went to University of Massachusetts Medical School to pursue my M.D./Ph.D. degrees. Now I am a part of the inaugural New York City Cornell Tech M.B.A. class at Johnson School of Management at Cornell University—the most innovative M.B.A. program in the world. It has been a long path, but I will always remember where it began: at my first Magner Career Center session, “Choosing a Career Path.”

Orly Wahba ’04, Founder of Life Vest Inside

As a Brooklyn College alumna, I have found the Magner Career Center absolutely wonderful to work with. I have had the opportunity to meet a great deal of excited, motivated, and dedicated students who have come on board to serve as interns for my nonprofit, Life Vest Inside. Each of the interns has been a pleasure to work with and have become key players in helping to spread awareness of our mission and vision. I believe that experience in the field is crucial, and students who take advantage of internships during their college years have a tremendous amount to offer once they graduate. I am a big advocate of Brooklyn College and I’m always open and willing to participate in any way I can—from joining panels, to mentoring students and/or bringing interns onboard to work with Life Vest Inside.

Irene Waxman ’70, Executive Director of Human Resources at Estee Lauder

The Magner Career Center has done a wonderful job of helping students bridge the road between college and the workplace. The staff is extremely dedicated, and the programs are very comprehensive. I would encourage Brooklyn College to take advantage of the services that are offered by the center.