PREP’s 2nd annual  “Mingle & Jingle: Holiday Networking Night” brought together two dozen students for an evening of meaningful, low-pressure engagement with an incredible group of professionals, including Kirsi Joenpolvi, Djeyhoun Ostowar, Riva Kantowitz, Céline Monnier, Vijayta Narang, and Michelle Rivera.  It was truly a great way to wrap up a semester full of dynamic events from the NYU Peace and Research Education Program team!

Designed as a more relaxed alternative to traditional networking, the event used a rotating, table-based format that allowed students to move between conversations, connect in smaller groups, and engage more directly with practitioners across the peacebuilding and international affairs fields. This setup made it easier to ask questions, hear about real career paths, and get a clearer sense of what working in the field actually looks like in practice. The professionals represented a wide range of roles, from UN agencies to NGOs and policy-focused organizations, offering students exposure to diverse career trajectories. Conversations focused on everything from navigating internships and job searches to translating academic experience into practical work, while also creating space for honest discussions about challenges, pivots, and lessons learned.

This fun, cheery end-of-semester event felt less like traditional networking and more like a series of meaningful one-on-one or small group conversations. It was a valuable opportunity for students to build connections and head into the next semester with a stronger sense of direction and possibility. Many thanks to the NYU Peace and Conflict Transformation (PaCT) club for co-sponsoring, and to Océane Hooks-Camilleri for adding a remote element to an otherwise in-person gathering.