Make a connection: Harpur Edge offers virtual alumni mentoring

Harpur Edge hosted the “Zooming with Harpur Alumni” series this semester to continue to engage alumni and students during the pandemic. Participating Harpur College alumni included Lee Pearlman and Faye McCray, who discussed their personal experiences in the workforce with Harpur College students and shared their insights.

Alumni are instrumental in many of the initiatives offered by Harpur Edge to help students achieve their intellectual, professional and personal “edge.” Building mentoring relationships with Harpur College alumni is supportive for students exploring different career opportunities and was highly recommended by both Pearlman and McCray.

In his event with Harpur Edge, “Zooming with Lee Pearlman: Careers in Healthcare,” the 1980 alumnus emphasized the value of the journey in finding your career fit.

Currently, Pearlman is executive vice president, chief of administration and financial officer at Greater New York Hospital Association — a path he didn’t initially envision as a neuroscience major at Binghamton.

After graduation, he explored a range of opportunities and applied to graduate programs in law, business and social work. Ultimately, he earned a degree in hospital integration at Cornell University, launching his career in healthcare administration. Your first job may not always be the one you stick with, he told students; your second job is likely the most important for your future path.

Attendee Gerard Dempsey, a junior majoring in integrative neuroscience and minoring in health and wellness, was grateful for the advice. Inspired by the event, Dempsey scheduled a one-on-one mentoring session with Pearlman to discuss careers in the medical field.

In the second Harpur Edge session, alumna Faye McCray ’03 discussed her journey to becoming a successful journalist, author and attorney. At Binghamton, the English major was actively involved on campus, working as a newsletter editor and publication coordinator for two University organizations. After graduation, she earned a master’s degree in writing from Johns Hopkins University and her law degree from Howard University School of Law in Washington, D.C.

During the Zoom event, she highlighted her initial challenges in publishing her work and the value of criticism. When you are making a pitch, express your passion for the subject matter, she advised students; this allows you to focus on your mission and the true motivation behind your work.

Both McCray and Pearlman reminded students of the value of the journey in creating a meaningful career. There is no one path; rather, success is achieved through embracing uncertainty and opening your mind to new possibilities. They look forward to connecting with more student mentees through MentorMatch.

A double major in psychology and political science, junior Katarina Vattes is a social media and marketing intern at Harpur Edge.