How did your education at Flagler College prepare you for your current career and professional journey?
I genuinely believe that my time at Flagler has shaped a lot of my career. Between my time at Flagler Enactus impacting my interest in Arts Entrepreneurship, my pitching skills, and interview skills or just thinking about how the friends I made at Flagler are still very important people to me today (I can’t wait for James and Taylor’s wedding at the Lightner in July). All of the experiences in my short 3 years at Flagler truly shape how I view the world and how I can continue to work as shaped in the career I’ve chosen.
What inspired you to move to the New York City metropolitan area (NYC), and how did your journey lead you there?
I’m originally from New York, so moving back home after graduation made sense. At the time, I thought I’d have more opportunities, and when I graduated, I originally had a summer internship working as an in-house graphic designer for a furniture company. After working in that position for several months, I reevaluated what I wanted the desired outcome of my career to look like. While visiting a friend in Harlem, I looked into the Art Education Program at the City College of New York, where I ultimately got my master's.
What is your current role, and how has working for the NYC Department of Education in NYC contributed to your professional success?
I am a media arts educator working for the New York City Department of Education. Working for the NYC DOE has given me opportunities I don’t foresee getting elsewhere, especially as an arts educator.
What advice would you give to Flagler students who are considering starting their careers in NYC?
Take risks! And if you don’t 100% know what you want to do, that’s okay. More often than not, your interests and priorities will find their way into your work. It’s important to have the passion and motivation to keep moving forward.
Can you describe a turning point in your career that was influenced by living and working in NYC?
A huge turning point for me was while working in my Graphic Design internship; I was craving the hands-on work I had been engaging in during my time as President for Flagler Enactus. Being a part of making a difference in the community is ultimately what directed me to teaching.
Luckily, through some connections at CCNY, I got a long-term leave replacement position teaching at a middle school in the Bronx. I worked there for two years before taking a position at Gramercy Arts High School, a specialty arts high school based in Manhattan, where I’ve been working on developing their program for the last three years.
I give a lot of credit to my time in Flagler Enactus, not only for giving me the skills needed to interview for the position but also for managing, leading, and making substantial changes for our school.
How has living in NYC impacted your ability to build and leverage professional networks?
Living in NYC and working in the NYC Department of Education leads to fantastic networking opportunities as an educator. I started my own Arts Entrepreneurship program with a law firm, Cleary Golletib, which partners with our school community on different programs. If I didn’t work in NYC, I’m unsure if I would've had those opportunities. Additionally, I’ve had the chance to lead professional development days through the NYC Department of Education's Arts Office, which was an honor and a great networking opportunity to meet all different types of educators from around the city.
What are some unexpected challenges you faced when you first moved to NYC, and how did you overcome them?
I’d say that my biggest challenge was finding a reasonably priced apartment; when I first moved to the city, I had a couple of eccentric roommates, to say the least, but this past March, my apartment building actually burned down. Finding a new place to live in less than a week was quite a task, but ultimately, I’m just grateful that things weren’t as bad as they could have been.
How do you balance work and personal life in a city as dynamic as NYC?
To balance out work a bit better this year, I’ve made it a point to prioritize my physical well-being. I wake up at 5 a.m. most mornings and go to exercise classes before work.
I find it an effective way to stay Zen and make sure I’m doing something for myself. In addition to that, I frequently make sure to visit my family on Long Island on breaks.
What are your favorite aspects of living in NYC, both professionally and personally?
My favorite aspects of living in NYC are probably that every day is incredibly different and that you’ll frequently find yourself surrounded by like-minded, motivated, and ambitious individuals.