This is what career-centered business education looks like

“I think one of the most interesting elements of our approach to education here,” says Dr. Nathan Harris, a faculty member at Golisano Institute, “is breaking down the boundaries between work and school.”

Students at Golisano Institute take three full-credit courses—earning a total of 21 credits—that focus directly on career-centered experiences as part of the two-year Professional Certificate in Business & Entrepreneurship. In Learning from Experience I, students begin with an onsite job shadowing at a business or nonprofit. During the final two quarters of the program, they opt to pursue either a internship or a mentored incubation for their own venture.

“It’s a really rich training for either starting your own business as an entrepreneur or bringing an entrepreneurial mindset to a role within a company,” Harris added.

Learning from experience

 

In mid-May, students finishing their first or second Learning from Experience course participated in the Industry and Venture Experience Symposium at the institute. Each participant prepared a digital poster to support a short presentation about what they learned in the field and how it will help them grow and succeed in their careers.

Our role is to build the right structure around [students] as they explore, learn, and take meaningful steps toward their future.

– Dr. Caterina Caiazza, Asst. Vice President for Career and Personal Development, Golisano Institute

“Our curriculum is intentionally designed to allow students full flexibility to pursue field experiences that align with their interests and goals across a wide range of industries and organizational types,” says Dr. Caterina Caiazza, assistant vice president for career and personal development at Golisano Institute, who oversees the career-services program. “Our role is to build the right structure around them as they explore, learn, and take meaningful steps toward their future—while also opening doors to the kind of experiences, relationships, and industry insight that help them grow their skills, expand their network, and see what’s possible.”

Planting seeds

For Keishecka Miller, food has a unique role to play in bringing a community together. Miller began her studies at the institute in September 2024.

“It’s really a community effort to empower,” Miller said about the Grove, a community garden and social enterprise where she completed Learning Experience 1 during Quarter 3. As part of a local church, the Grove plans to grow and sell dahlias to finance the garden as an outreach vehicle for uplifting youth in Rochester. Miller had the opportunity to support business planning for the effort during her internship.

The Grove’s mission of cultivating “wellness, community, and the Earth together” aligns closely with Miller’s own goals as an entrepreneur. She plans to have her nonprofit, Nourish Rochester, running at full speed upon graduating in August 2026.

“I’m learning how to really step into leadership as I learn about strategic planning,” Miller said about working with the Grove’s lead, Braiding Sweetgrass. “When do I garden? When do I sow certain seeds? And how will the garden connect with people around Rochester to make sure the project is successful?”

A former sous chef, Miller came to the institute to learn the skills she needs to bring Nourish Rochester’s mission to life, which is to invest in the development of young people impacted by food insecurity or hunger. She plans to launch a meal-delivery service, Sunday Supper, that will provide children with nutritious meals on a day of the week when they are often not available otherwise.

They’re teaching me to be a strategic business leader.

– Keishecka Miller, Student, Golisano Institute

“They’re teaching me how to be a strategic business leader,” Miller explained. “It’s really just a full-circle moment for me, learning to walk into my purpose.”

Flexing new muscles

Two years ago, Lucas Dorsey realized that working 80-hour, six-day weeks as the general manager of a fitness gym was not what he planned to do for the rest of his life. (Even if he was very successful; his gym was often among the national chain’s top five best-performing.)

Dorsey didn’t want to go back to college. A year at large public university was enough to learn that traditional higher education wasn’t for him. He wanted something much more focused on getting him ahead in his career. The timing was right—he saw Golisano Institute was accepting applications for its first cohort of students, so he enrolled.

Dorsey spent 20 hours a week during his penultimate quarter (Learning from Experience II) in an internship with Arjo Inc., a company that manufactures medical equipment for patients with mobility challenges.

I wasn’t wiggling my mouse—I was actually doing something.

– Lucas Dorsey, Student, Golisano Institute

“I wasn’t wiggling my mouse—I was actually doing something,” Dorsey said during his talk at the symposium.

Dorsey’s sales mentor at Arjo made a lasting impression. “After 50 years, he’s still laughing, smiling, and having a good time,” he said. “That feeling right there is something I aspire to.”

Now in his eighth and final quarter, Dorsey will spend 40 hours a week learning firsthand from the tech startup Spiral Health. The full-time internship will bring together fields he is especially passionate about: health and AI.

“I think the leadership and mentorship I’ll have at Spiral Health will only set me up for success,” he said.

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Experience is the best teacher.

Students at Golisano Institute take part in the Industry and Venture Experience Symposium twice during the Professional Certificate in Business and Entrepreneurship program.

Want to learn more about how career development is integrated into our curriculum?

 

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