Casey Scharpf '23

B.S. Mass Communication
Minor, Media Arts

Current Job:
Management Support Specialist, Port of Egypt (Southold, NY)

I am currently a Management Support Specialist at Port of Egypt in Southold, NY, where I assist the marina in their marketing, sales, administrative, and management needs. Applying all the different skills I’ve learned through my time at Stony Brook to a great company in the heart of somewhere I’ve called home my whole life is truly a blessing.

Why I chose to pursue my degree at the SoCJ:

I actually joined SBU as an astronomy student. During my first semester I got thrown into a media technology class which was a huge contrast to the rest of my schedule. This course ended up being my favorite class that semester and it motivated me to stay involved with the study of media and technology. After declaring media arts as a minor and exploring a whole year’s worth of its curriculum, I was notified that mass communication was officially becoming a new major and I switched majors the day the option became available. That opened up a new realm of underlying interests I never knew I possessed. From then on, my studies at SBU revolved around all aspects of media including social science, marketing, and technology.

What the SoCJ taught me:

Learning how to communicate effectively is learning how to be a valuable piece to any puzzle you find yourself involved in. The world revolves around communication, and possessing skills such as public speaking, presenting, writing, coordinating, managing, and media-literacy are highly valued at any business or organization, especially in the 21st century.

How what I learned at the SoCJ is helping my career:

Almost every skill I’ve learned while obtaining my degree has proven to be useful and has been implemented into my career in one way or another. My daily tasks involve drafting content, managing social media accounts, writing newsletters, creating surveys, proofreading, and more. All of these skills were established or sharpened at the SoCJ. On top of that, the most useful skills I have brought from my student life to my professional life are time management and coordination, two skills that naturally take form as you climb through your student life.

My most meaningful experiences at Stony Brook:

Although cliche, all of my most meaningful experiences at Stony Brook have involved connecting with fellow classmates. There’s nothing that’ll make you feel more at home than being connected with others on both a professional and interpersonal level. I mean, that’s what communication is all about, isn’t it? Especially in the School of Communication and Journalism, there’s no better place for collaboration to prosper. Everyone here is enrolled for different reasons and interests. This made each project a new horizon that never failed to introduce you to a plethora of new students along with the skills they possess awaiting to be stocked into your arsenal. No one is black or white here at SoCJ. We are all some distinct shade of gray ready to fit with any palette we’re added to.

Advice for future students:

Whether it’s being a student, finding a job, or even working full-time, you’re always going to find yourself in some rough waters you’re not really sure how to navigate. The beauty of life is you’re not expected to know everything. You’re not always expected to take the wheel.

You’re simply hopping on an already moving vessel and hitching a ride until you find the right destination to get off at. Until that destination reveals itself, use that time to your full benefit. Learn your way around the vessel, get to know the crew, maybe take the wheel every now and then. Wherever you end up unpacking your bags, acknowledge your growth and how far you’ve come as you start to look towards your next voyage.

How I succeeded at Stony Brook:

There are many layers to success, and everyone will define success differently depending on where they currently are in life. Through my eyes, it’s all success if it’s what you need. Staying in good health, preserving happiness, and keeping yourself motivated to move forward is what’s important. Keeping these three criteria in check is what will propel you to be successful on both a personal and professional level. Taking needed breaks, asking questions, finding help, treating yourself now and then, reminding yourself you’re doing well, etc. These are all things that although basic have helped me succeed.