Stony Brook University alumnae who are mothers participated in a virtual panel on August 14 to discuss the realities of managing careers while raising children. The event was part of a new initiative from the university’s Career Center, which aims to address how motherhood intersects with professional development.
The discussion, titled “From Dorm Rooms to Boardrooms to Playrooms: Raising Kids, Building Careers and Everything in Between,” was moderated by Christina Geraci ’04. Panelists included Stephanie Giunta ’12, MBA ’18; Rebecca St. John ’19; Sabeen Shah ’11; and Kylie Pernice LCSW ’10, MSW ’13. Topics ranged from experiences with postpartum depression and challenges in finding child care to making career sacrifices and handling the mental demands of parenting.
“As parents, we put so much pressure on ourselves to do it all at work and at home, and it was refreshing to hear that we’re not alone,” said Geraci. “The tone of the panel was authentic and supportive, just like the Stony Brook community has always been. And just like we overcame challenges together as students, it was a great experience to bond over new challenges we may be facing.”
Marie Parziale, assistant director of Alumni Career Services at Stony Brook University, noted the significance of such gatherings for alumni: “The Stony Brook University Career Center and Alumni Association are proud to bring alumni together in a way that honors both personal and professional growth,” she said. “This series creates space for honest, unfiltered conversations about motherhood and career, the kind that remind us we’re not alone in navigating career shifts, caregiving and everything in between.”
Further details about this event and others can be found at SB Matters.
