Young Polonia on the Path to Success - Networking Sessions 2026 Open New Career and Educational Opportunities
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
On February 20, 2026, the headquarters of the Kościuszko Foundation in New York City hosted Networking Sessions 2026 - an initiative organized by the Polish Youth Association in cooperation with the Polish Supplementary School Council of America. The event was designed as a comprehensive space for bringing together the younger generation of the Polish diaspora with representatives of academia and professional fields, creating an opportunity for meaningful conversations about the future, educational pathways, and the evolving expectations of today’s professional environment.
Students traveled to New York from different states, often arriving with clearly defined aspirations, but also with questions regarding their choice of major, first professional experiences, and how to find their place within the highly competitive environment of American universities. The program was structured so that participants could not only listen to expert presentations, but - most importantly - engage in direct dialogue through small-group conversations, one-on-one discussions, and networking sessions.
The panel discussion brought together distinguished representatives of finance, law, and medicine, who presented the real dimensions of building a career in the United States. Among the speakers were Paweł Stefan Benedykciński - finance and investment expert and founder of Young Poles on Wall Street; Joanna Ewa Nowokuński - an attorney practicing in New York and founder of Nowokuński Law Firm PLLC; and Adam Bisaga - a professor of psychiatry at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and researcher at the New York State Psychiatric Institute.
The discussion, featuring specialists from three different fields, demonstrated the diversity of possible career paths while highlighting a shared foundation: consistency in action, conscious decision-making, readiness for long-term personal development, and the ability to build professional relationships. The speakers drew on experiences gained in investment environments, legal practice, and scientific-clinical work, emphasizing the importance of combining strong academic preparation with practical experience and of undertaking initiatives, internships, and research projects already in the early stages of education.
An important part of the event was the presence of representatives from leading universities in the United States, including Yale University, Cornell University, New York University, and Princeton University. Viktoria Siebor, Weronika Kościółek, Max Miniewicz, Daniel Suzański, Natalia Kierna, and Marta Rzeszutko spoke with participants about the realities of studying at institutions with the highest academic standards. Conversations addressed not only the application process, but also strategies for building a strong candidate profile, choosing a field aligned with personal strengths, and making use of available opportunities - from research to social and organizational involvement.
Participants were able to confront their perceptions of studying in the United States with the lived experiences of those who had already followed that path. The particular value of these conversations lay in their honesty and specificity - rather than general advice, speakers shared examples of real decisions, challenges, and breakthrough moments that shaped their professional development.
The program also included sessions devoted to career planning already at the high school level, including a workshop on consciously building a professional presence on LinkedIn, led by Oliwia Drążek, a Career Specialist at the Polish Youth Association. Participants learned how to begin documenting achievements early, how to present educational and community experiences, and how to use digital platforms to establish connections with mentors and institutions.
Another session was organized for parents, focusing on financing higher education in the United States. This topic - one of the most frequently cited challenges in planning young people’s futures - was discussed in a practical and analytical way. Parents were introduced to the mechanisms of the educational system, financial aid opportunities, cost planning, and strategies for making educational decisions based on real data and expert experience.
Networking Sessions 2026 created an environment of intensive exchange of knowledge, experience, and perspectives - a place where young people could simultaneously engage with researchers, financial market practitioners, lawyers, and representatives of prestigious universities. Bringing together these different fields in one place allowed participants to see how the academic and professional worlds intersect and how important it is to navigate them consciously.
The organization of the event by the Polish Youth Association reflected its consistently pursued mission of supporting the development of young members of the Polish diaspora by providing access to knowledge, mentorship, and environments that are often difficult to reach. The meeting demonstrated that investing in education, relationships, and professional preparation of the younger generation is one of the most important elements in building its future presence in public and academic life.
Amelia Piwowarczyk
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