Erica Kryst

Senior Associate Director, Career Experiences and Education

Erica leads career education programs and services that provide direct support to Binghamton University students, including career consulting walk-ins and appointments held in the Fleishman Center and across campus. Erica also serves as a liaison to the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. As a doctoral student herself, Erica also directly supports the career development needs of graduate students via workshops and appointments. Erica is an experienced career counselor and regularly meets one on one with students to help with career decision making, the job and internship search, or any career-related topic. Erica holds a MSEd in College Student Personnel from Bucknell University and a BA in Musical Theatre and Mass Communications from Susquehanna University, and is currently completing a PhD in Educational Theory & Policy with a minor in Comparative & International Education from Penn State University.

What is your favorite thing about working at Binghamton University?
My absolute favorite thing about Binghamton University is the students! I’ve worked at a few different institutions, and I am continually impressed by the humility, brilliance, passion, and motivation of our students. Go Bearcats!

What was your first internship or job?
My first job was doing chores at our family dairy farm, and I’ve had many other part-time jobs since. My first job out of college was in advertising sales at a local news station in Harrisburg, PA.

What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about higher education and educational equity. As a first-generation college student myself, I seek to provide opportunities and resources that enable students from underrepresented backgrounds to succeed in college and beyond. I also love baking, traveling, food–based reality competition shows, musicals, and sharing new experiences with my family.

What is your best piece of career or professional advice?
Be intentional about building your network, and then use it! When you are searching for an internship or full-time job, let everyone in your network know what you are looking for, so they can help connect you to opportunities they hear about in their own networks. You have to spread the word about your needs and interests!