The Johnnies Blog

Welcome to the Johnnies Blog—where your college journey comes into focus. Designed for prospective students and their families, this space brings together authentic student voices, expert perspectives, and practical guidance to help you explore opportunities, navigate decisions, and build a meaningful path forward.
Student networking with career professionals at a career fair

Level Up: 6 Networking Tips Every College Student Should Know

Networking is more than just exchanging contact information—it’s about building meaningful relationships that can shape your personal and professional life. Like many students, I once believed networking was only for those nearing graduation—something to worry about later. But I quickly realized that it’s one of the most valuable skills you can develop in college.

In this blog, I share six tips on how to network without feeling “icky” or “sales-y.” While grades and extracurriculars are important, building relationships with peers, professors, and professionals can open doors you never saw coming.

Aishwarya Gupta
Students and faculty gathered for the Johnnies innovation challenge

St. John’s Students Turn Big Ideas into Real-World Impact

At St. John’s University, students are empowered with hands-on learning opportunities to build skills, gain valuable mentorship, and turn visionary ideas into action. One standout event is the business pitch competition known as the Johnnies Innovation Challenge.

In this Q&A, we hear from the three winning student teams of the 2025 Johnnies Innovation Challenge. They share the inspiration behind their business ideas, the skills they gained through participating, and how experiences like this are helping shape their futures.

Young female professional
Toni Critelli
Two students in professional attire for a career fair event

Future-Proof Your Career: The Top 10 Skills Employers are Looking for in 2026

In today's rapid job market, staying ahead is non-negotiable. Developing future-ready skills is crucial, particularly as the evolution and integration of artificial intelligence and other technological innovations is redefining the business world (and how we engage in it). Upskilling is no longer a “nice-to-have,” but instead a necessity, to enhance your employability and open doors to higher-paying or leadership-oriented roles.

Uday Kumar, founder of start-up company KnotHastags and current international graduate student in the M.S. in Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) degree program at St. John’s University

How Risk Management Fuels This St. John's Grad Student's Entrepreneurial Success

Meet Uday Kumar, founder of start-up company KnotHastags and current international graduate student in the M.S. in Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) degree program at St. John’s University.

In this Q&A, he discusses how his real-world experience, from launching a start-up to utilizing campus resources, fuels and supports his entrepreneurial ambitions.

Young female professional
Toni Critelli
Work study student working on a computer

How Work-Study Can Launch Your Career: A Student’s Perspective

Have you ever wondered how to gain valuable work experience, earn money, and build connections—all while keeping up with your studies? Work-study programs provide the ideal way to balance these priorities and make the most of your college experience.

My name is Madison Coombs, and I’m a senior at St. John’s University. Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of participating in the University’s work-study program, and it’s been a journey full of growth, challenges, and lessons. In this blog, I share my work-study story—highlighting how it has shaped me as a student and an aspiring public relations (PR) professional.

St. John's University Student
Madison Coombs
College Student Building a Linkedin Profile with their resume

How to Build an Exceptional LinkedIn Profile: Top Tips for Students

Building your digital branding strategy as a college student is essential for success in today’s professional world. A strong online presence opens doors to internships, alumni connections, and future career opportunities. With platforms like LinkedIn, you can position yourself as a standout candidate even before graduating.

This guide provides insights on building a solid digital brand that converts. It includes examples from St. John’s University students and faculty who have crafted exceptional LinkedIn profiles.

Young female professional
Toni Critelli
College student completing an internship in sports and sneaker culture, organizing shoes on display in a trendy sneaker store.

Your Guide to Careers in Sports and Sneaker Culture

Are you passionate about sports and sneakers? What if you could turn that passion into a career? With the rise of sneaker culture and its deep connection to the world of sports, there are now more opportunities to build a career at this exciting intersection. From design and marketing to athlete partnerships and merchandising, let’s dive into how you can explore a career combining sports and sneaker culture.

Student

Navigating Tech Internships: A St. John’s Grad Student Shares His Path to EY

As a college student passionate about tech, AI, or data science, you’ve probably wondered: How do you land that first big internship? The endless applications, tough interviews, and uncertainty can feel overwhelming. But what if that internship wasn’t just a step toward your degree, but a transformative experience that reshapes your career—and the way you think about technology?

That’s precisely the story of Tomas Santos Yciano, a fast-track Bachelor of Science (B.S.)/Master of Science (M.S.) Computer Science and Data Science student at St. John’s University. In this Q&A, Tomas shares how he landed a coveted internship at Ernst & Young (EY), offers career advice, and reflects on the lessons he’s learned as a Launch Intern in Technology Consulting.

Young female professional
Toni Critelli