Students at last year's Career Summit took part in networking sessions with professionals in the fields they plan to pursue. Photo by Karen Tapia
Giving Day donors make event possible
The School of Social Ecology will produce its second annual Career Summit, thanks to a record-setting level of donations made on UC Irvine Giving Day (April 22). The Summit is a day-long event geared at preparing students for their job search after college.
“The School of Social Ecology Career Summit gives our students unparalleled opportunities to connect with industry professionals, gain insider career knowledge and engage hands-on with essential career preparation tools, building their confidence to pursue their post-graduation goals,” says Dmitry Tsukerman, director of the school’s Career Services and Field Study Program.
Among this year’s scores of donors was long-time supporter and alumnus Peter Fischler (’80, B.A. social ecology), who expressed his gratitude for the education he received.
“I’m eternally grateful for the many unique and challenging opportunities I was given by the School of Social Ecology faculty and staff,” Fischler says. “Over the years, I’ve watched in awe and amazement at the growth and continued excellence provided by the school as it prepares students to go out into the world fully prepared to tackle and solve the many societal issues and problems facing us today and into the future.”
For the school’s students, many of whom are first-generation college students, the Career Summit provides workshops on how to conduct informational interviews and how to build an impressive resume. A session on business dining etiquette, networking and internship opportunities and a job fair also are provided.
“Part of our mission is to ensure that our students get the opportunity to take the education they receive here and connect it to a professional career,” Dean Jon Gould says. “A university that simply provides students a degree without that kind of training isn’t truly providing full opportunity.”
Margarita Martinez, a criminology, law and society major, attended the first Career Summit last year, where she landed an internship.
“I fulfilled my field study requirement and I gained so much experience,” she says.
Philip Hernandez, social ecology major, also scored an internship that turned into a job with the city of Irvine.
“Students today will be tomorrow’s professionals,” says donor David Feldman, director of Water UCI. “They will be the people who will lead our society forward and by investing in them, we’re not only investing in their future, we’re investing in ours.”
With the Career Summit fully funded, Dean Gould says the event “will help us open doors for our students on their way to achieve the American Dream.”
The Career Summit is scheduled to take place Oct. 15, 2025 at the Irvine Barclay Theatre. It is open to School of Social Ecology students and alumni.
While Giving Day is over this year, donations can still be made for the school’s programs and scholarships. To donate, contact Stacy Skwarlo, executive director of development, at (949) 824-0383 or sskwarlo@uci.edu or contribute online.