Ben Cion always wanted a career working in summer cmaps.
He had a great experience at Mah-Kee-Nac. After graduating from Staples High School in 2014 (where he played volleyball and soccer, and served as events coordinator for Student Assembly) and Syracuse University (his major was sports management), he became assistant director at a New Rochelle day camp, then worked in the Poconos.
But as he grew older, being onsite from April through Labor Day was tough. Cion started looking for something different — but still with teenagers and tweens, in the summer.
Ben Cion
He discovered Summer Discovery. They’re the largest provider of pre-college, enrichment and gifted summer programs and experiences for grades 1-12. Students from around the globe enjoy academic and enrichment courses, immersive travel adventures and residential life experiences at over a dozen college campuses.
When he applied for a job, Cion mentioned Staples. His interviewer’s ears perked up.
Our high school, Cion learned, sends the second most students from the US to Summer Discovery every year. (Topping the list: a California prep school.)
Cion got the job on a jam-packed day: He was moving out of his New York apartment, and it was his twin sister Katie’s wedding rehearsal dinner.
Since then, his work as an international account manager has been fascinating, and fulfilling.
“Every day I speak with people in places like India, Morocco, Turkey, Dubai, Greece and Cyprus,” Cion says.
“I’m traveling to places like Vancouver, doing marketing recruitment. I’m visiting schools, and making contacts.”
And this summer, he’ll be back helping run a program. Cion will spend 7 weeks at Dartmouth College.
Summer Discovery has branched out into fascinating areas. Through a partnership with the X Games, teens gain hands-on experience planning and running events in Ventura. (The courses are run at the University of California-Santa Barbara).
A program in Spain — run through the famed Real Madrid soccer club — introduces youngsters to the business of sports (with stadium tours, and meetings with team officials).
Traditionally, the most popular partnerships are with the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, School of Arts & Sciences and Law School; Georgetown University for law, international relations, government and leadership, plus UCLA’s Anderson School of Management (entrepreneurship, media, technology, entertainment and sports business — including e-sports).
Overseas, the University of Cambridge offers college credit.
It’s not summer camp. But Cion is in his element, providing a different kind of opportunity for kids.
And odds are good he’ll meet someone from Staples along the way.
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