Q&A: ESU Graduates Eager to Begin Careers

At East Stroudsburg University’s Spring 2025 commencement on Friday, May 9, and Saturday, May 10, graduates will celebrate an end to their college years and the beginning of a new and exciting chapter of their lives.

For many students, graduating means moving on to their new career with the skills, knowledge and confidence gained during their time at ESU.

Graduates Angelina Balkarran, Brady Bowers, A.J. Delgado, and Victor Cepeda shared where they’ll be putting their degrees to use and how their educational experiences impacted them personally and professionally.

Q: What role will you be stepping into after graduation?

Angelina Balkarran, College of Business and Management, bachelor’s degree in accounting: “Currently, I have a two-part internship with Ernst & Young (EY), which is one of the ‘big four’ accounting firms. Last summer was my first part, which is called the ‘launch program.’ You do a rotation in ‘tax’, you do a rotation in ‘audit’, then you pick what you want to specialize in during your second part, which is this summer. I chose ‘tax’ and, fingers crossed, it leads to a full-time offer.”

Brady Bowers, College of Arts and Sciences, bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice and sociology: “I’m currently employed at East Stroudsburg Area School District on their security team. After graduation, I may go into juvenile probation and be in that career field, but I will definitely be working in one of those two roles.”

Victora Cepeda, College of Health Sciences, bachelor’s degree in exercise science: “I’m going to be working with a local training facility. There, I’ll be a lead sport performance coach working with young athletes from 10 years old all the way up to college athletes. I’m also continuing my education at ESU, pursuing a master’s in exercise science.”

AJ Delgado, College of Education, bachelor’s degree in history with a concentration in secondary education: “I’ll be teaching sixth grade at Grice Middle School (Hamilton Township, NJ) doing ancient world history.”

Q: How did ESU guide you on the path to your new career?

Balkarran: “It’s thanks to my academic advisor, Dr. Inalegwu [Ode-Ichakpa, associate professor of business management]. I told him when I first met him, I really would love to work at a ‘big four’ firm, especially EY. He was like, ‘I know someone who is interning there who is an ESU alumna. Let me introduce you to her.’ She gave me a call and said, ‘So, would you like to work at EY?’”

Bowers: “I owe getting my job at East Stroudsburg Area School District to completing my internship. I interned at East Stroudsburg High School South during the fall semester, and, through that, I received a job offer at J.T. Lambert Intermediate School, where I’m currently working.”

Cepeda: “Through my classes and coursework at ESU, I found my niche and where I wanted to be someday. ESU did a great job of exposing me to different pathways and different avenues you can choose in your field.”

Delgado: “Jaclyn Kessel, who is the head of field experience here, put me in a program called the Aspiring Educator Pathway Project, where we inspire local high school students in this area to become teachers and study education in college. It was a selective thing, and it’s something that I was really proud of because once I learned more about it, I realized this is a really important program not just for myself, or ESU, or the towns around us, but everywhere. Being someone that my professors trust enough to put my advice in the hands of high school students is something that really stands out to me.”

Q: How did ESU help you grow as a person?

Balkarran: “Being part of the Honors Program, there was a course I took my first year that was basically a ‘how-to’ for being in college. One big thing I learned was introducing myself to my professors at the beginning of the semester. If it wasn’t for that advice, I don’t think I would have broken out of my shell and made the connections I’ve made.”

Bowers: “The College of Arts and Sciences has helped me to get where I am today because of all the support that they offer to their students, specifically in the classroom, but also outside the classroom. It’s helped me to achieve my goals and ultimately helped me to be where I am today.”

Cepeda: “ESU does a great job in providing a lot for its students and caring about the development part and where you’re going to end up after graduation. It’s not only about the books or what you’re learning here, but it’s also who you are, who you’re becoming, and what you want to pursue afterwards. All these experiences have led to me feeling more comfortable in in my own skin and in my own voice, and have allowed me to just be a better coach and a better person.”

Delgado: “I’ve been surrounded by some fantastic people in the world of education here at ESU. They’ve helped me become a better teacher and a better mentor for young people.”

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