Student Selected to SUNY EOP Career Development Program

Stony Brook University student Marzia Amin was one of nine students statewide to be selected to the inaugural cohort of the State University of New York (SUNY) EOP Career Development Internship Program.

The program builds on SUNY’s vision of providing an internship or other high-quality experiential opportunity for every SUNY student prior to graduation. Up to 50 eligible EOP students will participate in one of three cohorts in year one and receive up to $5,000.

“For over 50 years, the SUNY Educational Opportunity Program has been a driving force in student success and upward mobility,” said SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. “The launch of the EOP Career Development Internship Program marks another significant milestone in SUNY’s mission to empower our incredible EOP students with the resources they need to thrive. This initiative offers invaluable professional experience with New York State agencies, setting students on a clear path to successful careers, including in public service.”

“This internship will provide me with invaluable hands-on experience in mental health care and observation,” said Amin, a junior majoring in health sciences and an EOP success coach and mentor. “As a Health Science student, directly working with and observing patients will deepen my understanding of mental health disorders beyond what any textbook can teach. It will strengthen my commitment to pursuing a career in healthcare and teach me the importance of compassionate, patient-centered care.”

“We are incredibly proud of Marzia Amin for being selected as part of the inaugural cohort for the SUNY EOP Career Development Internship Program,” said Pam Matzner, director of EOP at Stony Brook. “This program is a testament to the power of the Educational Opportunity Program, and Marzia’s selection speaks to her dedication, ambition, and the incredible potential she brings to the table. I have no doubt that this experience will provide her with valuable professional skills and open doors for her future career. We look forward to continuing to support her journey as she thrives in this unique opportunity.”

The EOP Career Development Internship Program will connect students with New York State agencies as they pursue completion of their degree and prepare for the launch of their careers by providing them with real-world professional experience and skill development within a field that aligns both with their academic pursuit and personal interests; personalized mentorship; as well as financial support that helps students develop personal budgeting, as well as basic needs support in the event a student has transportation or other accessibility hurdles that would otherwise prevent them from participating in the program. The program is made possible through funding allocated to SUNY by Empire State Development.

Last February, Governor Hochul announced SUNY campuses will invest nearly $10 million in recurring state funding to provide 3,000 SUNY students with internships and other experiential learning opportunities before graduation. The funding was secured through the historic $163 million increase in direct operating aid to SUNY’s State-operated campuses for FY 2024.

For more than 50 years, SUNY EOP has served students, helping more than 85,000 participants graduate from college. EOP also contributes to New York’s workforce development, with more than 78% of EOP graduates staying in New York to live and work.