The Johnnies Blog

Welcome to Johnnies Blog—your essential guide to college. From making friends and navigating New York City, to building a career-ready degree, our student stories and expert advice bring the college experience to life. Whether you’re exploring majors, planning to apply, or seeking support for a balanced and purposeful college journey, we’re here to inform, inspire, and connect you every step of the way.
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 at a Spectrum LGBTQ+ Club tabling event at St. John’s University, celebrating inclusivity and community

LGBTQIA+ Student Support: How St. John’s University Leads the Way

As an LGBTQIA+ student, choosing a college or university that truly supports and celebrates you can transform your experience. St. John’s University is committed to creating a campus where you feel safe, valued, and empowered. Here, you find a community that genuinely embraces diversity with a strong dedication to fostering personal growth and academic success.

In this blog, you explore the resources and initiatives at St. John’s that make it a leader in LGBTQIA+ support. Plus, you hear directly from students and faculty involved in making campus life inclusive and supportive.

Young female professional
Toni Critelli
Person working on cybersecurity code at a desktop computer, focused on a screen displaying lines of code with cybersecurity protocols and data encryption algorithms

A Day in the Life of a Cybersecurity Professional

The field of cybersecurity is vast and expanding. Cybersecurity professionals work in a variety of fields and sectors. Once you earn a master of science (M.S.) degree in Cyber and Information Security, there are many career paths you can pursue.

If you are interested in one of these careers, you may wonder what a day in the life of a cybersecurity professional actually looks like.

Stack of several Letters of Recommendation in an application pool, emphasizing the role of strong endorsements in standing out among candidates.

Letters of Recommendation: Do They Make a Difference?

In the ever-evolving landscape of college admission, students often wonder which components of their application hold the most weight. Essays, test scores, and interviews are common focal points, but what about letters of recommendation? Once considered a pivotal aspect of the admission process, do they still carry the same influence?

In this post, we explore the true impact of letters of recommendation in the undergraduate and graduate application process and provide insights on making the most of this critical piece of your application.

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
graduate school commencement

Graduate School: The Career Path You Might Overlook

Deciding to pursue graduate school is a pivotal choice that can profoundly shape your future. As more students turn to advanced education to gain a competitive edge, the question arises: Is it the right path for you? This guide explores the lasting impact graduate school can have on your career and personal growth, helping you weigh the benefits and key factors before making this life-changing decision.

Male Student Looking Out City Window at Empire State Building

In-Demand Careers for M.B.A. Graduates

Graduates from M.B.A. programs—like the top-ranked M.B.A. program at The Peter J. Tobin College of Business at St. John’s University—are well positioned to take on challenging new roles, lead companies, and accelerate their careers.

Leslie Alhakim ’24SJC, a graduate student and previous ozanam scholar at St. John’s University, Queens, NY

Exploring Social Service through St. John's Ozanam Scholars Program: Student Q&A

In this Q&A, we explore Leslie Alhakim ’24SJC’s transformative experience in the Ozanam Scholars program at St. John’s University’s Queens, NY, campus, where she pursued a bachelor’s degree in psychology and is now navigating a master’s degree in data science. Leslie shares insights from impactful service-learning projects, immersive study abroad trips, and how the program has shaped her academic and career path.

Young female professional
Toni Critelli