Stefan Koppi, BU’s new career development director, says he hopes to reach more students “by increasing collaboration with career development officers across campus.” Photo courtesy of Stefan Koppi

New Appointment

New Career Development Director Plans to Expand Initiatives to Graduate Students

Stefan Koppi assumes role ahead of tomorrow’s Spring Career Fair

Graduate students at BU who are hunting for internships or jobs will get new sources of support, building on those currently available to undergrads. That’s the pledge from the new director of BU’s Center for Career Development (CCD).

Stefan (Steve) Koppi arrived at the University last month after working at St. Anselm College and Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He has a reputation for being a longtime advocate of career coaching, engaging employers in career education, and making career development part of higher education’s curriculum. He has published and presented on career services topics for audiences at a wide range of colleges and universities on behalf of the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Koppi succeeds Addye Buckley-Burnell as center director.

Last month, the CCD was folded into the University’s Provost’s Office, “where we intend to create a new menu of accessible, scalable services tailored to graduate students, building on our excellent work with undergraduate students,” Koppi says. Previously, the CCD director reported to Christine McGuire, vice president and associate provost for enrollment and student administration.

“We are so proud of our signature programs like the Professional Clothing Closet [providing students with free business attire], Career Ambassador Program [advising fellow students on job/internship applications], and the Yawkey Nonprofit Internship Program [providing stipends for unpaid sophomore and junior internships],” Koppi says. “We are looking to reach more students by leveraging technology, increasing collaboration with career development offices across campus, and building new employer relationships.”

Koppi assumed his post just as the CCD was preparing to host one of its biggest events of the year, the Spring 2024 Career Fair, scheduled for Wednesday, February 14, at the George Sherman Union, from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm. The theme of this year’s fair is “Find Your Perfect Match”—a nod to Valentine’s Day. Among the approximately 60 recruiters expected will be representatives from City Year, Ernst & Young, Dassault Systemes, College Advising Corps, the United States Secret Service, Mass Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), and Speak for the Trees, Inc. 

Koppi cites BU’s approach of “reimagined career development as integral to the students’ academic experience” as the draw that brought him here: “Boston University is poised to establish its own new, groundbreaking model. Leading this effort is especially attractive to me, as it aligns with my life’s work of elevating and renewing career services to advance student-centered institutional priorities.

“I have had the chance to do this exciting work at several other colleges and universities, but I was drawn to BU by its scale, diversity, and global reach,” he says. “At the CCD, we serve as a catalyst for exploration, affirmation, and next steps, empowering students to take ownership of their journey. We envision a career culture where every student graduates with knowledge in their chosen field, applied skills gained through experience, and relationships with people who will support them on their way.”

The CCD suggests that students planning to attend the fair come with four things:

• Research into companies of interest, including questions for their recruiters
• A polished résumé, with hard copies to hand employers
• An elevator pitch, up to 30 seconds, summarizing their career goals and experiences—not just their major
• Wearing business attire

The CCD also suggests that after the fair, students follow up with the recruiters they met.