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Annual Career Fair Connects Students with Employers

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Oct. 4, 2024 – More students from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) are opting to stay in New York state after graduation, with a recent career fair helping to connect them with local employers.

“We've seen many graduates from the class of 2023 choosing to remain in New York,” said John Turbeville, director of career services. “It’s exciting, especially with projects such as the I-81 redevelopment, Micron, and opportunities in the environmental, science, and construction sectors. Our students’ skills are in high demand.”

Matthew Wood (’12, construction management) and Matthew Herbert (’14, landscape architecture) represented LeChase Construction which the company attends annually.

“In our industry, we're looking for top talent, and being alumni, we recognize the success that we've had in our careers and the ability that ESF can continue to deliver on that talent for us to continue to grow our success as a company and have an impact within our community,” said Wood, project executive at the construction management and general construction firm.

LeChase has several ESF employees on staff. “The students we hire from ESF have a cross-disciplinary education that benefits us because they think slightly differently. They can value things differently and we can mold them to become positive parts of our company,” Herbert said.

Anna Carmen, senior environmental studies major, would like to stay in New York state and later pursue a master’s degree. Looking for a position in environmental journalism, she noted the career fair provides the opportunity to connect with multiple employers.

The fair featured more than 80 organizations offering students a wide array of internships and post-graduation opportunities. With a focus on environmental industries, attendees included engineering firms, construction companies, and state and federal agencies. Many employers were represented by ESF alumni, highlighting the relevance of ESF's education to real-world careers.

About SUNY ESF

The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is dedicated to the study of the environment, developing renewable technologies, and building a sustainable and resilient future through design, policy, and management of the environment and natural resources. Members of the College community share a passion for protecting the health of the planet and a deep commitment to the rigorous application of science to improve the way humans interact with the world. The College offers academic programs ranging from the associate of applied science to the Doctor of Philosophy. ESF students live, study and do research on the main campus in Syracuse, N.Y., and on 25,000 acres of field stations in a variety of ecosystems across the state.