Following The Darkness Illuminated His Career Path

When Stephen Mariconda graduated from high school, he was unsure of what he should do next. A musician, outdoorsman, astronomy buff, and man of many other interests, Steve turned to PCCC for guidance.  “I thought community college could help me figure out my future.”

Today, the 2016 alumnus is firmly on the path to a career in public health. Employed as a cognitive activity leader for geriatric clients, he is also a graduate student at Rutgers University and expects to receive a master’s degree in public health this December.

As if that weren’t enough, Steve moonlights as the New Jersey delegate for DarkSky International, a global non-profit focused on the environmental threat of light pollution. He recently offered an engaging presentation at PCCC through the STEM speaker series.  “It was really great to return to the college I attended to present something I’ve become passionate about.”  

As a PCCC student, Steve enjoyed so many courses, especially philosophy and history, that he changed his major several times before discerning the one that suited him best. “My professors here were really great and helped me realize what I wanted to do in life. My main interest was in how the brain functions and how people become who they are, so I decided to major in psychology.”

Graduating with an AS degree in psychology, Steve went on to earn his bachelor’s degree, also in psychology, from Montclair State University, but it was a volunteer opportunity that clarified his purpose. At his grandmother’s urging, Steve agreed to serve lunch at a senior center and found it so rewarding that he decided to focus his career on the geriatric population.

Employed in nursing homes and other senior facilities, Steve serves clients with dementia, leading them in physical and mental exercises or connecting with them by playing guitar and piano.  “Music has an amazing impact on people with dementia,” he says. “Hearing a familiar tune from the past often triggers their recall of the words, and they are able to sing, clap, and enjoy the songs.”

Then, another volunteer experience further defined Steve’s path. He noticed an ad seeking advocates for DarkSky, and was drawn to their mission: to preserve the natural nighttime environment by reducing light pollution. It was a perfect fit for Steve, who enjoys night hikes in the Catskills and Adirondacks, mesmerized by the beauty of stars and constellations sparkling against a velvety dark sky,

“The first time I saw the Milky Way in a pristine sky, I experienced a profound understanding that I was really part of the entire universe, with all the galaxies, planets, and stars spinning around,” said Steve. “I had the sense that we are all deeply connected – to the universe and to each other –  and I realized I want everyone else to have that experience, too.”

But that’s nearly impossible in heavily populated areas where street lighting, floodlights on business properties, blinding auto headlights, and other human-made interference combine to make the nighttime environment unnaturally bright.

 “We hear so much about air and water pollution, but not as much about light pollution and its effects on the environment,” said Steve. In his informative presentation at PCCC, the audience learned how excessive artificial night light disrupts nature’s cycles, harms animal and plant life, contributes to climate change, and increases the risk of health problems, including diabetes, obesity, and sleep disorders in humans.

“The good news is that light pollution is relatively easy to fix,” says Steve.  Using fewer, but more targeted, light sources and replacing harsh white light bulbs with yellow ones are just a few of the easy solutions he recommends.

His passion for the mission of DarkSky inspired Steve to steer his career ultimately toward public health, a field that he says encompasses his entire galaxy of interests: brain function, environmental issues, the impact of environmental health on human health, the interconnection of all creation, and more.

“As a public health professional, I would also be empowered to create and influence policy and can make a bigger difference for both environmental and human health.”

Excited about the road ahead, Steve looks forward to more awesome skywatching, particularly in Spain for the 2026 total eclipse and hopes many others will join the movement to preserve and appreciate the night sky as nature intended. For sure, following the darkness has proved illuminating for this alumnus.

Written by Linda Telesco; Photo by Page Saunders