Celebrating 21 Years of the Brooklyn Tech Alumni Foundation’s Con Edison Internship Program
Celebrating 21 Years of the Brooklyn Tech Alumni Foundation’s Con Edison Internship Program
Sep 11, 2024
On Thursday, August 29, 2024, the Brooklyn Tech Alumni Foundation proudly hosted the final presentations for the 21st cohort of the Con Edison Internship Program. This long-running partnership between Brooklyn Tech and Con Edison began in the summer of 2000, providing invaluable work experience and mentorship to over 250 Brooklyn Tech students to date. Despite several years being skipped due to insurmountable obstacles in 2009, 2010, 2013, and 2020, the program has thrived and continues to be a cornerstone opportunity for Tech students.
"Because of this program, I had the opportunity to apply my technical skills, some of which I learned at Tech, to a larger goal,” notes two-year program participant Dara Benyacar '24, Brooklyn Tech’s Class of 2024 valedictorian, now a freshman at the University of Chicago. "Specifically, I am proud to have applied my Python and SQL knowledge to enhance New York’s clean energy grid. And, at the end of my second summer at Con Edison, I watched as a new cohort of interns presented all they had gained and contributed over the summer. As they taught me about Con Edison, its role in New York, and each of their contributions, the wide-reaching impact of this program became evident; I am one of many who have learned, grown, and accomplished because of the wonderful partnership between Brooklyn Tech and Con Edison.”
A Legacy of Success
To date, 258 students have been hired through the program, with 50 currently working at Con Edison. This year's cohort was made up of 20 students, 40% of whom were female, underscoring the program’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in STEM-related careers.
Career Advancement for Tech Graduates
Notably, 107 of the program’s participants have gone on to work more than one year at Con Edison, demonstrating the long-term value of the internship experience. Additionally, 17 former interns have transitioned to full-time positions at Con Edison, with 11 still employed at the company today. Nine former interns have ascended to management roles, exemplifying the program’s impact on career growth.
Academic Excellence
Participants in the program have gone on to attend prestigious universities, often continuing their roles at Con Edison while pursuing their studies. Alumni of the internship have enrolled at institutions such as Columbia, Yale, Princeton, NYU, and Fordham, balancing both academic and professional development.
Leadership and Program Coordination
A key figure in the program’s ongoing success is Leon Bukhman, Class of 2001, a member of the first intern cohort. Today, Bukhman serves as Department Manager, CES Digital Products, Data Insights, and Governance at Con Edison and has coordinated the program for the past 15 years.
The program’s inception is credited to a collaboration between Matt Mandery ’61, Chief Educational Officer and Isaac Honor '74 of the Brooklyn Tech Alumni Foundation, and Con Edison leaders and managers. Their visionary leadership and dedication have ensured that the program continues to offer life-changing opportunities for Brooklyn Tech students.
This year's cohort presentation was a celebration not just of this summer’s success, but of more than two decades of partnership, mentorship, and career-building opportunities for Brooklyn Tech students. As the program continues to evolve, its lasting impact on the lives of its participants and the broader community is more evident than ever.
Be sure to stay connected with the Brooklyn Tech Alumni Foundation for updates on exciting initiatives designed to support our students and alumni.
"Because of this program, I had the opportunity to apply my technical skills, some of which I learned at Tech, to a larger goal.”
Dara Benyacar '24
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