Wondering what your career path after college could look like, and how your college experience can set you up for it?
Choosing a college is more than just picking a place to study. It’s an investment in your future. From internships and mentorship to hands-on learning and networking, the opportunities you take advantage of can shape where you go next.
In this spotlight, we hear directly from two recent St. John’s University graduates and 2025–26 Johnnies of the 21st Century honorees about how their college experiences prepared them for the professional world and the lessons they’ve carried into their careers.
Meet the St. John’s AlumniDiana Esposito, PA-C ’18CPHS
Orthopedic Surgery Physician Assistant, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
Diana Esposito turned her clinical training at St. John’s into a full-time career even before graduation. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, she began working at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in Queens, where she continues to practice today.
As an Orthopedic Physician Assistant specializing in hand and wrist surgery, Diana plays an active role in patient care from start to finish. Her work includes assisting with surgeries, evaluating patients, supporting emergency room consultations, and managing postprocedural recovery. Diana’s LinkedIn page
Ellen A. McBurney ’12SJC, ’14M.A.
Chief Operating Officer, Civic Builders
Ellen McBurney serves as Chief Operating Officer at at Civic Builders, a national nonprofit that finances and develops public charter schools. She began her career in an entry-level role supporting fundraising and marketing.
Over time, she grew within the organization, taking on new challenges and leadership opportunities that led to her current role overseeing organizational performance and strategic initiatives. Her work has included helping launch New York City’s first charter school incubator and expanding Civic Builders’ reach nationwide.
At St. John’s, Ellen earned a combined B.A./M.A. in Government and Politics with a concentration in International Relations, along with minors in French, Philosophy, and Theology and Religious Studies in St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She was deeply involved on campus as a member of the President’s Society, the highest honor society for undergraduates; Senior Senator in Student Government, Inc.; and President of Gamma Phi Beta.
Experiences That Shaped Their Career PathsWhat is one St. John’s experience that had a lasting impact on your career direction?
Diana: In the last year of Physician Assistant (PA) school, St. John’s sets up required clinical rotations to give PA students experience in different clinical settings. For my final rotation, I was placed at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens (NYPQ) for an elective orthopedic surgery rotation.
Thanks to St. John’s, I had a great learning experience at NYPQ and established lifelong connections, which led to a job offer at the end of my rotation. I was lucky enough to secure a job right after graduation in a specialty I find very rewarding, and I will forever be grateful.
Ellen: One of the most formative experiences I had at St. John’s began through a University program that connected a group of my close friends (including my now-husband) and me with a local nonprofit, the Developmental Disabilities Institute (DDI). We were deeply inspired by the organization’s work supporting children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities and wanted to stay involved beyond the classroom.
Over the next three years, we organized annual fundraising walks from the Brooklyn Bridge to the Montauk Point Lighthouse—more than 130 miles over seven days—to raise awareness and support for DDI. What started as an idea among friends became a meaningful community effort that brought together supporters along the entire route. DDI is an organization my husband and I remain connected to today.
That experience shaped the way I approach challenges and opportunities in my career. I realized that trying new things, pushing yourself when it matters, and leaning on your network can turn big ideas into reality. Most importantly, it reinforced a lesson that has guided my work: when you care deeply about the mission, hard work and even the longest miles can feel rewarding.
How They Continued to Grow After CollegeWhat skills, habits, or experiences helped you develop as a leader after graduating?
Diana: Before attending St. John’s, I was a very quiet and shy teenager. When I attended New Student Orientation, I absolutely loved my orientation leaders. I saw how much passion and love they had for the University, which made me very excited to start the semester.
I was inspired at that time to explore the leadership positions the school had to offer so I could grow my own leadership skills.
I trained and was hired as both an Orientation Leader (OL) and Discover New York Peer Leader for a few years while at St. John’s. Working as an OL was definitely one of the highlights of my college experience. Holding these leadership positions taught me valuable communication and leadership skills that I still use today in my current job when helping orient and train new PAs and teaching PA students.
Ellen: I’m currently the Chief Operating Officer of an organization I’m incredibly proud to serve, but I started there as a coordinator, supporting fundraising and marketing while also answering phones and taking notes at nearly every meeting. Over the past decade at Civic Builders, I’ve grown into leadership by embracing many of the qualities I associate with St. John’s alumni.
There’s a shared sense of loyalty, grit, and curiosity. We’re persistent, eager to learn, and willing to raise our hands for new opportunities. Early in my career, I tried to embody that mindset by bringing ideas forward, stepping into challenges, and staying relentless about solving problems.
Those habits opened the door for growth and a deeper impact within my organization. Today, as a leader, I create an environment where people feel encouraged to step up, keep learning, and pursue work that makes a difference.
Advice for Students Planning Their FutureWhat advice would you give students who want to make the most of their time in college?
Diana: If they are looking to follow a similar path to mine, it is definitely important to establish connections with people who work as PAs or in other health-care-related careers who can help guide you through the application process and help you find the right job.
A good first step would be to join the various premed, pre-PA, and predental organizations that St. John’s offers. Omega Phi Theta is another campus organization for premed/health students that usually holds an annual “Dinner with Doctors” event, where a variety of specialty doctors, PAs, PTs, and OTs meet with students to discuss their careers. I have been invited to attend for the past few years, and it has been a great experience for both the providers and the students.
Volunteering at a hospital is also a great way to make connections, learn more about the career, and gain experience.
Ellen:
Try new things and step outside your comfort zone. St. John’s offers so many opportunities to get involved, and you often don’t know what will resonate with you until you try.
I was deeply involved in campus life, often in ways I didn’t expect when I first arrived. I joined the Student Government in my first year of college and, by senior year, helped launch the Senior Scholarship Fund as Senior Senator. I also served as President of Gamma Phi Beta sorority and participated in fellowship programs abroad and in volunteer opportunities such as Give Kids the World.
Through these experiences, I met people from across the University and discovered my own interests and passions. More than anything, getting involved led to friendships that have lasted well beyond graduation. Many of the people I met at St. John’s are still among my closest friends today, 15 years later, celebrating life milestones, supporting one another’s families, and cheering on St. John’s basketball at Madison Square Garden.