Boniface Career Planning Fund provides opportunities for SUNY Oswego students

Hundreds of SUNY Oswego students have explored a variety of career fields, networked with professionals, toured facilities and developed new connections with each other, faculty, employers and alumni, thanks to the Boniface Unendowed Career Planning Student Fund.

The fund, established by 1992 SUNY Oswego alumni Thomas Jr. and Maria Parengkuan Boniface, has enabled the college's Office of Career Services to host a wide variety of industry-specific events and opportunities.

For example, the fund enabled a group of business students to travel to Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona to meet with high-level staff from the accounting and finance fields and get a firsthand look at the business behind the slot machines, poker tables, and spa and hospitality services. The students learned about the Oneida Nation of New York, including how their unique finances, taxes, revenues and expenses are managed.

"I was lucky enough to speak with our host during lunch, and he really talked to me about analytics in regards to finance, which is something I could see myself doing one day," said senior finance major Caleb Gould. "I think down the road I'm going to try out a financial analytics class. The trip was a real eye-opener."

Students interested in art, history and museum studies headed to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City to learn more about some of the famous works of art and how one of the most famous museums in the world functions.

Last year, health promotion and wellness students participated in a "Speed Networking" reception that featured several alumni and other professionals from a variety of careers related to the health and wellness majors. Small groups of students had an opportunity to sit down and chat briefly with the professionals about what their careers are like, what training and certifications are needed, and what they can do to help them enter the field. 

"We are so grateful to Tom and Maria for their generous gift," said Gary Morris, director of career services for the college and a 1988 alumnus. "The Career Planning Fund they created has had an amazing impact on our students. It has provided us the resources we need to help students explore a variety of career options."