SPIR & SBU Veterans Workforce Lunch and Learn

SPIR (Strategic Partnership for Industrial Resurgence) ran its fourth Lunch and Learn on February 21, 2024 in partnership with the Stony Brook Office of Military and Veteran Student Services. Hosted at the new Veterans Lounge in the Student Activities Center, this iteration focused on the journey of veterans entering the workforce, as well as employers’ experience working with and hiring members of the military. Two of the presenters, one from Amazon and another from Northwell Health, recently left the Army and Air Force, respectively, and recapped the hurdles, opportunities, and military skills harnessed during their transition.

In addition to the veteran speakers and organizers, 15 Stony Brook University student veterans attended the Lunch and Learn. Presenters at the event included Kwasi Bandoh, Software Development Manager, Amazon Ads, John Losito, Program Manager, Corporate Human Resources-Workforce Readiness, Northwell Health, Steven O’Brien, Advisor, Radiation Safety, Northwell Health, Yahfi Talukdar, PhD, Senior Territory Manager, Long Island, New York, J&J MedTech.

Feedback from the event was overwhelmingly positive, with students remarking:

“The event was incredibly insightful into the industry world, and the ability to casually talk with employers over lunch was delightful.”

-Shanen, (Biomedical Engineering)

“Whenever you feel like something that you are learning in class is pointless or small in comparison to the bigger responsibilities that you face in the workforce, remember that it is a small stepping stone that will eventually lead you closer to where you want to be. “

Jamie (Marine Vertebrate Biology)