What is your new job? How did you obtain it?
Last June, I assumed the role of Executive Director of Student Affairs at the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, which is one of the six health sciences schools at the University of Pittsburgh. I oversee student services, admissions, student engagement, and academic advising. I applied directly through Pitt’s job board without any connection to the university, other than the fact that I’m a native Pittsburgher.

How long were you actively job seeking?
My previous employer shuttered in December 2020 as a result of COVID, and I was actively applying to jobs for a few months, while taking 3 classes simultaneously at Baruch. I applied for this position in early April, got the offer in May, and relocated from New York in June.

What was your job search strategy during this period?
Early 2021 was not a great time to be job searching in higher ed. Many institutions had hiring freezes in place, nobody was on campus, and vaccines were only just rolling out. I hit all the usual places every morning (Higheredjobs, Indeed, LinkedIn, etc.) and tried to submit 3 or 4 applications per week. I stayed in close touch with a few mentors, including the one who was assigned to me as part of the Executives on Campus mentorship program. I emailed frequently with Suzanne in the career office, and I leaned on my HEA classmates, who were a great source of support.

What do you think were the secrets to your success?
I was persistent, and I tried to always carry lessons with me from every experience. By the time I had my Pitt interviews, I had a lengthy document that I could refer to easily, with sections like, “times I helped a difficult student,” “times I mediated a conflict,” “times I disagreed with a supervisor,” etc. I got used to certain questions and had concise answers at hand. I always figured out who the hiring manager was before sending a cover letter, and I always sent personalized thank-you notes, including to any assistant who helped with scheduling. Before my Pitt interviews, I learned as much as possible about the school, the programs, and the people I would meet. This allowed me to ask very specific questions.

What advice do you have for job seekers out there?
I have a few pieces of advice:

• No matter how well you think an interview went, keep applying to other opportunities. It’s always a good idea to have more applications out there.
• Take any interview opportunity. If you’ve been out of the job search for a long time, assume that your first couple of interviews won’t be great. I was glad to have plenty of interviews behind me before I faced my Pitt interviews, which were intense.
• Don’t ramble in interviews. It’s easy to talk for too long when you’re nervous.
• Consider smaller markets outside of NYC. You might be a more interesting candidate for a higher position in a smaller city.
• Negotiate your offer! They won’t rescind it simply because you asked for more money, more PTO, a relocation stipend, etc. Every employer assumes you’re going to negotiate, so advocate for yourself.

What is your new job? How did you obtain it?
I am currently the Senior Operations Associate at New York Immigration Coalition. I obtained the job after applying  after I saw the posting on their website back in April.

How long were you actively job seeking? I was actively job searching for around 6 months before I got the job offer at NYIC. This included applying to around 8-10 jobs every week. (and honestly rarely hearing back from 75% of them).

What was your job search strategy during this period? I had 2 spreadsheets: 1, with places that I knew I would want to work at, their job boards linked, relevant projects and teams that I was interested in; and 2, with jobs that I had applied to, the relevant details, timeline, and any potential contacts that I may know at the organization or that might be useful.

What do you think were the secrets to your success? I am not sure if I have any fancy or new secrets, job searching is hard and tedious. But I can say that a spreadsheet and a cover letter that you can reuse and personalize for each type of job and org you are applying to (i.e. an operations role at an NGO, a policy analyst job in government etc.) were incredibly helpful. And USE THE RESOURCES AROUND YOU. So many Baruch classmates, professors, and professionals work in the fields you want to get into. Letting anyone and everyone know what you are hoping to do after graduation will work in your favor.

What advice do you have for job seekers out there? Keep your head up and remember your worth! Job hunting can be demoralizing after receiving many no’s or no answers at all. But fighting for yourself and what you know you are capable of is worth it. I also adopted the philosophy of: what’s the worst they could say, no? and began reaching out to people on linkedin or via email. I wasn’t asking for jobs, I was asking for info about where they work and what they do. I leveraged the fact that I was a student at Baruch and many were willing to chat, if not also refer me to other people, organizations, and jobs! I walked away with a job at an organization I love, and around 15 other personal connections at organizations I may work with in the future.

What is your new job? How did you obtain it?
I am the Program Officer/Small Business Advisor at the Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF), which is a nonprofit community development financial institution (CDFI). I was working at the Division of Early Childhood Education (DECE) during grad school, and was still employed there when I was job hunting. I actually worked with LIIF during my time at DECE so I was introduced to their work and their team beforehand. When I was job hunting, a position opened up at LIIF and I networked with the folks I knew from there and was referred to  meet with the National Director of Early Care and Education at LIIF during one of her work trips to NYC. We had a great conversation about Early Care and Education and my professional and personal experiences, and continued to have these conversations until I was given the offer!

How long were you actively jobseeking?
I was actively job seeking for 3 months after graduation.

What was your job search strategy during this period?
I utilized the Marxe CareerConnect emails A LOT! There are always so many great positions listed at organizations that seem aligned to my values and my interests. But at the same time, I used my personal and professional networks to find job openings that I felt might suit me and my new degree.

What do you think were the secrets to your success?
I think my secret to success has a lot to do with relationship building. By making efforts to know the people I work and interact with professionally, I leave an impression that people remember. So when a job opens up, they think, “Amy might be a good fit for this role!” Aside from relationship building, I believe I am successful because I am honest about my passions during the interview process. I dedicate myself 100% to any job I am in and want to convey that to employers when I’m interviewing!

What advice do you have for jobseekers out there?
My advice for job seekers is to be true to yourself and your values and you will go far. Try to find a job that aligns with your interests, your skills, and your values, so that you know your efforts are being put to the best use possible! And if it doesn’t happen right away, keep going. And don’t settle (if you can help it!) – negotiate your salary for what you are worth! Work on that imposter syndrome and know that you belong in the work force, in a field you love!

What is your new job? How did you obtain it?
My new position is Policy Analyst at Children’s Aid Society. I found the job on Idealist.org, with no referral.

How long were you actively job seeking?
I was actively job seeking for about 2.5 months.

What was your job search strategy during this period?
I had a set amount of time every day that I would apply to jobs, and made sure to stay on top of all of the relevant job boards each day. I also reached out to former contacts and employers, and had a few informational interviews. I kept a spreadsheet of the jobs I’d applied to, and interview schedules. Before really starting my search, I met with Suzanne from the Marxe Career Services office and she helped me determine the kinds of positions I wanted and was qualified for.

What do you think were the secrets to your success?
I think the amount of time I spent on each cover letter was important, as well as the sheer volume of applications I sent out. This led to a good amount of interviews, which provided good interview practice. I also found that checking in often with organizations where I’d had interviews was the right move; don’t give up on someone just because you haven’t heard from them in a few weeks. I first interviewed for the job I now have in late June, had a second interview in July, and got an offer in mid-August. I just kept reaching out to make sure they knew I was really interested in the position and the mission of the organization. Suzanne at Marxe Career Services was also a huge help throughout my search.

What advice do you have for job seekers out there?
Stay positive, these things just take time! And definitely take full advantage of the resources provided to us through Marxe Career Services.

What is your new job? How did you obtain it?
My new role is Outreach Associate at the Center for NYC Neighborhoods. I obtained the job via online application. I applied to the same organization, but to a different position in 2017 and Suzanne Grossman with Marxe Career Services helped connect me to one of her contacts. I think the Center had a positive impression of my application.

The Center is a one-stop shop for protecting and promoting affordable homeownership in New York City. My new role takes me to different parts of the city hosting educational events and making presentations related to city and state’s sustainability and resiliency initiatives. Performing outreach and case management for two major programs, FloodHelpNY and Community Energy Engagement Program, I help connect homeowners to resources ranging from home energy assessment to the installation of a backwater valve to mechanical retrofits to make homes more comfortable and energy efficient.

How long were you actively job seeking?
I’d been actively job seeking since March and I got an offer from the Center at the end of June so about four months.

What was your job search strategy during this period?
I focused my job search in the community economic development space where I know I have the knowledge and expertise in program delivery. I revisited the organizations and agencies that drew my interest during my MPA studies and identified the ones that I want to grow with. I also considered carefully if the positions I was applying to match with the experience and skill set that I have.

What do you think were the secrets to your success?
If there were secrets, it had to be the preparation for interviews. I researched industry trends and company culture to ensure I understood the organization’s position in the industry, the population it serves, and its challenges. Also, think about what your role model(s) would do to take on the new job. What questions would they ask? What language would they use? For me, one of my role models is I. M. Pei who once said “Great artists need great clients.” When I was preparing for the interviews, I considered the organizations of my future clients. I was determining if we would be great matches so that the discussions centered at how my skill set would be utilized and make the biggest impact on their business activities.

What advice do you have for job seekers out there?
1) Make a fair evaluation of yourself by identifying your strengths and weaknesses. If you can’t do it, seek support and guidance from Career Services.

2) Be ready to talk about the process of your work and/or findings of industry trends. Interviewers want to know the substance of your work, how you arrive at a decision, and lessons learned — not your job responsibilities which they are fully explained in your resume.

3) It is also helpful to find friends or colleagues to help you prepare for interviews. “Pitch” yourself to them and receive feedback. So you are more confident to tell a compelling story as concisely as possible.

What is your new job? Marketing Manager at Candid (formerly Foundation Center and Guidestar). Candid is a national nonprofit that helps individuals and nonprofits find grants and funding faster. I am responsible for developing marketing strategies that drive revenue and increase our subscriber base.

How long were you actively job seeking?
I’d been actively searching since November/December 2018. I started my current role in June.

What was your job search strategy during this period?
I had three goals in mind when job hunting and for each I used the following strategies:

Assess the company’s culture: It’s extremely important to me to feel good, not only about the work I’m doing, but who I’m doing it with. When searching and applying for jobs I would tap my network (LinkedIn and otherwise) to see if I had a connection to anyone at the company’s I was applying for. From there I’d ask those connections to give me their honest thoughts about the company (is it headed in a positive direction? Do people feel good coming to work? What are the highs/lows?)

Earn more: I believe I brought more value to my previous company than I was compensated for. In my job search I had a salary range in mind and applied for jobs that I sensed could accommodate that range.

Network, network, network: This is extremely cliché, but who you know really matters. And I don’t mean in the nepotism way because that’s not how I landed my current role (or any role). But it’s super important that you connect with people whether they’re in your field or not. Everyone knows someone, and you don’t always need to aim to network with the CEO (you’ll likely get a faster response if you don’t). Your roommate’s bestie may already work at your dream job or the new friend you made at a networking event may work at a company hiring for your exact skill set.

Key places I networked
In person: take advantage of Baruch events and the career center (ask for Marny!), professional associations, Meetup.com, Idealist, etc. Online: In Slack groups (LadiesGetPaid, MiMConnect, etc.) and LinkedIn. Word of mouth: Without being tacky, I’d tell any who’d listen that I was looking for a new opportunity.

What do you think were the secrets to your success?
Casting a wide net, setting up job alerts (LinkedIn, Idealist, David’s Careers, PND job list, Marxe Graduate Career Services), and doing one thing everyday to push me along in my search (updating my LinkedIn profile, tweaking my resume, revising cover letters, etc.)

What advice do you have for job seekers out there?
I’m a firm believer in two things:

1) Speak what you want into the Universe. If you want a new job, more money, a fresh start, speak it into existence. Put it on a vision board, write it in your journal every day, repeat it every morning like a mantra, and then…

2) Work at it every day. One of my favorite quotes is “Hard work beats talent, when talent doesn’t work hard.” You can be the best at what you do or what you know, but if you don’t work hard you’ll never get what you seek.

Job hunting is both a game of luck and perseverance. Remind yourself daily what the end goal is and take one step everyday to get yourself there. 

What Fellowship were you accepted to and what are your responsibilities in your current role? Could you elaborate more on what the fellowship is?

This summer, I was fortunate enough to be selected as the Policy and Advocacy Fellow at Children’s Health Fund. My responsibilities include conducting research and analysis of health care policies, assisting with advocacy projects, drafting social media content, assisting with written pieces for the organization, assembling background materials for conferences and forums, and more as needed.

Can you detail your job/fellowship search experience?

I began actively job-seeking in December of 2020 after completing my undergraduate degree. I was looking for jobs, internships, and fellowships in health policy that would work well with my schedule as a full-time graduate student. To aid in my job search, I used Marxe CareerConnect, Indeed, Idealist, and Handshake among other sites. I eventually discovered the fellowship position on Marxe CareerConnect and applied for it in April of 2021. In July, I was offered the position.

What was the application process like?

After I discovered the position on Marxe CareerConnect, I began researching Children’s Health Fund and crafting my application, which consisted of a resume and a cover letter. I worked closely with Marny (thank you, Marny!) to edit my cover letter so that it reflected my skills and relevant experience through the lens of the job description. A couple of months after submitting my application, I was contacted to do two rounds of interviews, as well as to submit two writing samples.

Any advice for students looking for fellowships?

To any students looking for fellowships or other professional opportunities, I would suggest meeting with the Career Center to discuss any of your career-related questions and concerns. Through my meetings with Marny and Suzanne, I began to understand what I was looking for and how to talk about my skills and experiences in ways that were relevant to the different positions I was applying for. I began to feel a sense of direction in my search.

Additionally, I would say that it helps to stay organized. Early on in my search, I began to lose track of my applications, but Suzanne suggested that I create a document that helped me to remember the organizations that I applied to, the positions that I applied for, and what I highlighted in my resume and cover letter as my most relevant experience. That way, if I were contacted for an interview, I would have all the necessary information in one place. I would know exactly what I applied for and could easily remind myself why I was drawn to the position. This helped a lot.

Lastly, I would say to keep trying. Your search is likely to be full of rejection or even radio silence. I don’t know anybody who likes rejection, but more than that, I don’t know anybody who likes pretending to be grateful to have been denied an opportunity they really wanted. Still, whether you are offered the position or not, it can help to think that applying and interviewing are good opportunities to practice your voice, to determine how you want to speak about yourself and your experiences in the future, and to reevaluate your experiences in a way that gets you closer to understanding what you really want out of your career. You got this!

In my final year at Baruch I was fortunate to be accepted as a fellow for the John D. Solomon Fellowship for Public Service. It is the first student fellowship with the city specifically devoted to emergency management. I was accepted with a placement at the New York City Fire Department.

I work on the civilian side of the FDNY, at the Office of Public Information for the Websites and Publications Unit. This is a catch-all for our video, podcasts and internal member information initiative, DiamondPlate. The work that I get to be part of, including writing, shooting and editing, is done in collaboration with active firefighters, EMS and other community stakeholders so as to create clear, concise messages for safety and disaster prevention. Our goal is to use the communication tools and options available to support the mission of the FDNY. I’m lucky because the fellowship is a combination of communications and disaster prevention which is exactly what I want to be learning.

I applied on the NYC Emergency Management website. The application included short answer questions and a resume. Once chosen as a finalist, students would interview with matched participating agencies at NYC Emergency Management in the Spring.

I would suggest interested students take advantage of the University Partnership Program NYC Emergency Management developed to give students exposure to emergency management. The courses entailed an introduction to emergency management in NYC and logistics for emergency management. It was free course series and only took about half the day on a Saturday. I did both of these and listed them on my application. I think doing that program would make your application stand out and demonstrate a real interest in emergency management.

For the Summer of 2018, I was an Education Pioneers Fellow at Acelero Learning. I joined their Shine Early Learning division as the State Quality Initiatives Strategist to develop strategic analysis and recommendations related to the Child Care program regarding how to approach opportunities in key states for quality enhancement efforts in early education, family engagement and data management. I was responsible for researching approved state-level Child Care and Development Fund plans and current funding trends, existing contracts and structures, and identifying points of potential alignment or need with the quality enhancement work offered by my division.

In this role, I learned not only about the early education issues that state administrators must weigh in making key state plan decisions, but I also had the chance to hone my qualitative skills in my interviews with child care administrators across the country. Along with this summer project, I also participated in Education Pioneers’ professional development workshops which was a great opportunity to reflect and connect with other fellows in the New York City area. This fellowship was the perfect fit for me because I wanted to find a way to make an impact in education outside of the classroom; Education Pioneers provided a pathway to propel me into education research, and after the fellowship, I was hired on to continue as their Research and Strategy Analyst to support their grant division.

With the guidance of Marxe Career Services, I secured this fellowship! Simply making that first appointment to review my resume was the start to discerning which opportunities matched my interests. With every appointment, I received hands-on help from my advisor throughout the application process. My advice to students seeking a fellowship is to reflect on your transferable skills you’ve gained from your classes and past employment that can uplift your application!

I completed the Summer 2018 Graduate Student Fellowship with the John A. Reisenbach Foundation. My responsibilities included planning for two new programs that would roll out in Fall 2018, in addition to running an annual summer fundraising campaign. I learned a ton – from work ethic to my responsibilities and deliverables. My position was virtual, so I quickly learned how to work autonomously. I learned to be my own leader and task manager, in addition to learning hard skills like event planning, research and communications.

I was tasked with planning a biannual Forum series, in which I did nearly everything. I found a donated event space, I recruited participants: expert panelists, moderator, and audience members. I created all communications, from the Save the Date to the invitation to the social media posts. The second program included creating a new, smaller scale grant program for emerging NYC nonprofits. My work included much of the same caliber of responsibility: I recruited an Advisory Council of local nonprofit experts, spoke with board members and media company executives regarding participation, and determined how to best meet the needs of the expected nonprofit participants.

From this fellowship, I’ve determined that this is the career path I want to take. I want to be a Foundation Program Officer when I graduate with my MPA from Baruch College. The fellowship actually turned into a part-time role this school year 2018-2019. I am grateful to Marny Smith and the Marxe Career Services team that led me to the Marxe CareerConnect, in which I applied to several summer job opportunities. My advice is that for most of us, we are only in graduate school once: apply to fellowships that sound interesting, that are an experience you’ve never had, but always wanted, and don’t let fear of rejection get in the way. Talk to career services. The fellowship opportunities posted on Marxe CareerConnect are from relationships this school has, so take advantage of being part of the MSPIA family. You’re likely to succeed if you just go for it.

Tell us about your internship.

This summer I am interning at Harlem Grown, a community-based nonprofit that uses food justice, mentorship, and education to serve the youth and community in Harlem. My main responsibility is curating lesson plans for the summer program. I focus on themes of social justice, advocacy, BIPOC and women farming experiences, ecology, and plant-based cooking. I have always wanted to be a part of developing the information our youth learn through the education system. I feel blessed to know that my lesson plans will help nurture young minds to grow up into healthy, wholesome individuals that will create positive change in the near future.

The initiatives that Harlem Grown centers help increase access to knowledge about healthy foods and living ambitious lifestyles around Harlem. I work closely with the Director of Programming to support the adult programming, from yoga classes to plant-based cooking demos, that takes place on the 134th Farm over the weekends. I also connect with the Director of Act to run farm stands for Harlem Grown, which offers free, fresh produce (i.e. cilantro, sage, basil, mint) to Harlem residents.

How did you find this internship?

I work full-time and recognized that I would have to be intentional about securing an internship with an organization that fits right in with my creative, versatile lifestyle. As I embark on a journey to feel restored and reconnect with my real values, I knew I wanted to get involved with an organization that supported my love for community development centered around the arts and wellness. I found this internship researching community-based organizations that offer opportunities to get involved on the weekends. Harlem Grown spoke to the type of internship that I wanted to volunteer my time to, especially in support of their social impact mission.

What skills have you acquired or worked on during your internship?

Harlem Grown has given me space to unveil, develop, and sharpen multiple skills as I grow into the best version of myself. For instance, I now have the experience needed for effective lesson planning, which includes managing, adapting, interrogating, and more. When planning, I look at the big picture and revisit the details behind themes to cultivate a refined, empathetic perspective necessary to be sensitive to the different circumstances our youth face. My experiences overall continue to set the foundation for me to build my own organization, Glorifying Blackness, which centers creative experiences to build a sustainable community for Black healing.

What advice do you have for current students looking for an internship?

Be intentional. Be present. Remain persistent and do not give up, especially if you do not hear back from the organization right away. Do not be afraid to send a follow-up email or give the organization a call – chances are they would be more than happy to on-board an intern that is ready to amplify their mission. There is light in finding an internship that speaks to you and your inner child: an opportunity that intersects your joy and passions, the way forward towards your career, and your overall purpose in life.

What program are you in at Marxe? I am currently in the MIA program with a concentration in the Western hemisphere.

Where are you doing/did you do your internship? I am part of the pathway internship program with the U.S. International Trade Administration. The agency is a branch of the Department of Commerce, and it promotes and facilitates U.S. exports around the world. My direct office within ITA is the Global Markets, Office of Administrative Services. It manages major contracts and purchases for over 170 domestic and international offices.

What are/were your responsibilities in this role?​ As a student trainee – Program Analyst, my favorite aspect of the internship is that my team exposes me to different experiences every day. Depending on the week’s priorities, I support my team on everything from reviewing business contracts, editing extensive excel worksheets, office space management, and other special projects.

How did you find this internship? I found this internship on USAJOBS.GOV. Once I created an account, I set an email alert for new pathway internship opportunities. Most federal agencies have a pathway program. Since they are competitive and usually close after 50-100 applications, I often applied as early as possible. Sometimes around 1:00 AM or whenever I received the notification.

Did you acquire and specific skills? If so, what were they? So far, I’ve been shadowing the office director. I’m learning how to be an effective communicator and improve my leadership skills. There are also great learning opportunities, such as fully funded accredited certificate programs for management and financial skill development.

What advice do you have for current students looking for an internship? First, have a session with the MIA career services office. They helped me put my plan and ideas on paper. The office also helped me with mock interviews that boosted my confidence when the time came. Moreover, it’s essential to have a plan but remain flexible. While most of us want to work for large international organizations, internships in local government (City council, State assembly) are equally important and often lead to those larger organizations. For me, my previous summer and winter internships at New York City council and New York State assembly were determining factors in obtaining my current position. Local government internships can be easy to get; local assembly and city council offices are often short-staffed and looking for support. I highly recommend directly calling your local representative’s office and ask.

Over the summer I interned with the United Nation Population Fund’s (UNFPA) Eastern Europe and Central Asia Regional Office in Turkey through the UNA-NY Summer Scholars program. I was the Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) intern and had the opportunity to work on several important tasks leading up to the Nairobi Summit in November, a high-level meeting which will mark 25 years of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD).

Some of the projects I worked on included compiling national commitments on cervical cancer, writing a case study on the integration of SRH into the healthcare systems in countries of the region, and organizing events and meetings where I had the opportunity to network with the organization’s international SRH partners. I also revised and improved the content of SRH topics on the website and prepared documents on regional SRH resources. The internship allowed me to explore a key area at the intersection of health, human rights, and sustainability. I gained first-hand knowledge of the workings of an international organization and learned how my career interests fit within an organization like the UN.

I started my MPA at the Marxe School this year after graduating with a degree in Molecular Biology. I have since been actively looking for internships to allow myself to explore career opportunities at the nexus of science, policy, and human rights. I learned about this internship through a weekly email from Marxe Career Services. Coming straight from a STEM background I was initially hesitant to apply. I contacted Marny at career services, she reviewed my resume and helped me tailor it to the position. A few days later I interviewed at the UNA-NY followed by a Skype interview with my prospective supervisors at the UNFPA and finally secured the position. One thing in particular that motivated me to apply for this internship was that it involved travel and was open to international students.

If you are someone looking for an internship, I would recommend being open and willing to explore diverse opportunities. Take advantage of Marxe Career Services and other opportunities available at the school.

After my first year at Baruch College as an HEA major, I sought counseling advice from Marxe Career Services and was given a lot of resume and cover letter coaching. I was pointed to a specific internship opportunity on Marxe CareerConnect, and got it! My internship was at The Advising Center for Exploring Majors at Pace University on the NYC campus. As an advising intern for the Director, I created schedules of first-year and transfer students who were undecided in their major, presented at first-year orientation, and communicated across administrative departments.

Not only was this internship my first administrative experience, it was also my first-time ever interacting with college students in such a role, and bridged what I was learning from my HEA courses like student affairs and administrative services. I got to especially understand the struggle and discomfort, but freedom and flexibility that comes for students who are undecided majors. I was able to advise students on core curriculum classes and kept in touch with students for changes and credit approval.

My internship also gave me professional development in using the administrative program Banner, data-tracking and sorting software, and the curriculum taught in First-Year Seminar. I was able to help redesign the Pace website for the Center for Exploring Majors, and self-reflect internally on my own strengths with the Myer Briggs Type Indicator. I was extremely fortunate to be under the Director’s wing and got to engage in most things going on in the department. This internship really sparked for me the joy in working with college students and seeing the whole individual.

My advice for students seeking internships is to research and know the institution or company that you are applying for. It stands out when you know its mission and current initiatives, and can tailor your cover letter. Use Marxe Career Services to the fullest extent! Without it, I would not have landed this internship nor realized how many transferable skills I have.

This summer I was very fortunate to be accepted as a College Aide for the Staten Island Ferry division of the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT). I worked in the fiscal unit, assisting with grants and other financial matters. Most of my work consisted of preparing year-end financial reports for other government agencies, such as the state DOT and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). I was also tasked with tracking the progress of various expense and grant funded projects that are happening at the ferry, such as the construction of three new ferryboats. I regularly liaised with staff across different agencies to assess project schedules and budget issues.

As someone who is interested in public finance and urban development, I felt this experience allowed me to see the process firsthand. At DOT, I was thrown right into the middle of the bureaucratic process and thankfully excelled, due to my ability to incorporate the many things I learned here at the Marxe School.

After going to Marxe Career Services, I was able to talk with Suzanne about my areas of interest and she directed me to multiple postings, including one at DOT. After an arduous search process throughout the spring, I interviewed at the ferry and shortly thereafter was asked and accepted a College Aide position.

For anyone seeking an internship, my advice to them is they need to have persistence and patience. The job search process, even for interns, can be daunting.  Finding an internship was no easy task for me and it took a great deal of effort secure a position that fit my career goals. Definitely speak to someone from Marxe Career Services to find out about opportunities. Also, I you do face rejection like I did when I was first applying, keep searching and don’t give up — eventually an employer will recognize your talent.

This summer I had the pleasure of interning at the Peruvian Consulate of New York. It’s a funny story, because I applied to several internships like many students, and this internship experience came about in such an unorthodox manner. In fact, I was frustrated because I couldn’t find openings online for anything that intrigued me. Either positions were closed, or organizations had nothing on their websites indicating that they even held internships. So, one day, I ended up on the Peruvian consulate of New York’s Facebook page, and sent them a message on Facebook Messenger on a whim. I asked if they were looking to hire any interns. To my surprise, they messaged me quickly, and asked for an interview the next day! I went in for my interview, and secured it right after a long yet enthusiastic interview with the Deputy Consul of Peru. Being Peruvian is not required to work or intern there, but I think my Peruvian background and fluency in Spanish helped me to secure this position.

The most important responsibility and task I had this summer, was the job of renewing and creating Peruvian Passports and DNI cards (Peruvian issued national Identification cards). I worked with several coworkers in the office, and learned the computer system that is used to generate these government documents, and essentially the steps and requirements needed to produce them, such as how to effectively take someone’s fingerprints, which satisfies the requirement for the Peruvian Passport and the DNI card. Working with passports and Identification cards, helped me understand the fragility and seriousness that is required when handling these matters. Any error, can affect the production and process time of these documents, which delays patrons and causes an inconvenience.

I also helped in the technical production of the Consular office’s first ever Facebook Livestream, where we covered the procedures and requisites needed in order to transmit certain government and legal documents, such as birth certificates and passports. While live, we also took any questions and concerns that patrons may have had.

In addition, I prepared a statistical report, where I gathered data in regards to the amount of operations that were carried out for each month of every year since 2016, up until now. For example, I had to go into the Peruvian government archive system, and see how many passports were processed per month at the consular office for the year of 2016. Or how many matrimony licenses were registered at the consular office per month for the year of 2017. I generated a report, and used bar graphs and excel sheets, to explain what has been produced and carried out in the New York Peruvian consular office.

Overall, this internship has helped me realize how helpful it really is to know another language, aside from English which is universal. My knowledge of the Spanish language gave me the opportunity to serve a certain group of people with the purpose of solving and fixing any of their issues. I realized that I would like a career that emphasizes working with organizations, corporations, or people, with ties to Latin America. A career in diplomacy is also a career option, because I learned a lot about the role, and saw what the typical work routine of an ambassador and deputy consul consists of. It is challenging work, but very rewarding in the end. For those who are seeking an internship, I would recommend contacting organizations or groups directly either through email or social media, especially if you cannot find an opening for something in particular that you like. Like myself, I recommend just inquiring about any potential positions that may be open, and take it from there.

This summer, I am the Communications Intern at the EastWest Institute, a global NGO founded nearly 40 years ago to tackle conflict prevention. My core responsibilities revolve around increasing the reach of the organization’s work through traditional and social media channels, while ensuring our messaging is on-mission, engaging and articulate. I have had the opportunity to act as editor for several podcasts—researching and preparing remarks for subjects ranging from nuclear nonproliferation, to modern diplomacy, to U.S. national security.

The communications department is at the center of much of the institute’s work, partnering with the programmatic, development and executive teams alike; this has provided me with a unique perspective on both organizational structure and the varying departmental roles and responsibilities. I hope to work in environmental policy, so I have appreciated the chance to see how an established NGO approaches challenges of similar complexity and scale.

I was introduced to the organization at the Marxe School’s Social Impact Career Fair, where I had a brief conversation with the HR Director that led to an interview the following week. It was an important reminder for me to treat these events and similar as primarily an opportunity to pitch what I bring to the table to potential decision makers versus asking that question of them. In this case, I also benefited from featuring “Communications Expert” in large font in the headline of my resume.

This summer I was the Graduate Intern in the Commissioner’s Office of the Department of Sanitation (DSNY). My role was supporting many of the projects that are managed and developed by the Commissioner’s Office team. My favorite part was the opportunity to tap into different areas of Sanitation. For instance, I was working on the Implementation Plan for Commercial Waste Zones, which is a heavily politicized and controversial issue in the city, while also researching how to increase recycling rates or supporting a competition to redesign the NYC litter baskets.

I am interested in advancing sustainability in city operations, so DSNY was the perfect place for me to learn more and apply my experience. Having been so close to the Commissioner’s team also gave me another perspective on all that the leadership deals with and how they manage the reality of budgets, politics, unions, and more. It was great to have the chance to visit Sanitation workers, garages, compost sites, and community stakeholders, making the work that much more tangible. I am confident this internship had an impact on my outlook on sustainability and city government operations.

I applied for an internship at the Commissioner’s Office with a completely different job description that did not interest me as much, but when I was called for the interview I thought it couldn’t hurt to go. I then found out that the role had changed, and it was the perfect fit for me. I believe that talking about relevant classes I had taken, such as Environmental Policy and Strategic Communications, and explaining how they would serve my work was a major determining factor in securing the position. My advice to others is to not let any opportunity pass you by because it does not sound right; go and meet the team because you never know what might come from that interaction.

Being a Strategic Partnerships Co-op Intern at Con Edison has mirrored so many of the concepts I’ve learned matriculating through the Marxe School MPA program. I found the opening on CareerConnect and there were two rounds of interviews.  Before the second interview, I prepped with Marxe’s Graduate Career Services to brush up on my question and answer expectations.

I’m honored to have broad access to Con Edison’s community grants program as well the employee volunteer initiative, which are integral components of the Con Edison corporate affairs strategy.   At the moment, I am working with program managers to develop new evaluation and reporting methods for community partner grantees.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a trendier term for what I am doing now but, I expect it to become more and more of the norm as consumers raise the ethical expectations for large companies.  Ultimately, community development is a realm I see myself gravitating toward after graduation  and I am one that thinks CSR will play a large role in that process.

My advice to students seeking an internship is to perform deep dives into your focus area.  By doing this before you even write a cover letter, you can frame your expertise or desire to work in the company around the challenges they currently face or those on the horizon.

I am a People Operations Intern at JetBlue. My role is working for the JetBlue Crewmember Crisis Fund (JCCF). It is it’s own 501(c)3 organization that functions as an emergency fund for JetBlue crewmembers experiencing a crisis situation such as a natural disaster, death of a spouse, or house fire. I found out about JetBlue’s internship program through the Marxe school career website. Once I applied, I interviewed with my current supervisors and was extended an offer shortly after.

My two main projects are working with the Executive Director to automate our application and donor management systems as well as managing JCCF’s communications committee. Aiding with the transition to MicroEdge and Raiser’s Edge has definitely helped to increase my knowledge of the backend of CRM systems. It is the first time I have been involved in the coding aspects of database management systems. Managing the JCCF communications committee involves a lot of collaboration between our organization’s board members, JetBlue’s Corporate Communications department, and external vendors in order to move JCCF’s promotional goals forward. These responsibilities fit into my overall career goals because upon graduation from the MPA program, I knew that I wanted to work in the field of corporate philanthropy.

A piece of advice that I would give students who are looking for internships is to have a clear idea of what your career objectives are and how the internships you are applying for will help you meet them. Also, try your best to sell yourself and leverage any past experience you have that are related to the job responsibilities.

After my first semester at Baruch as an MPA student, I was looking forward to taking advantage of the internship opportunities during the summer. I was fortunate to join one of the largest philanthropic organization there is – Open Society Foundations. As a Eurasia Program intern, I was assigned three categories of work: Minority Empowerment, Human Rights and Media. The global goal of the organization is to help countries transition from their communist past. Being from Ukraine, a young post-Soviet democracy that is dealing with all the ills of developing countries, including corruption, bureaucracy, economic turmoil and external aggression from its neighbor, the mission of the Open Society Foundations’ Eurasia Program resonated with me personally.

The internship at OSF gave me the opportunity to attend all meetings that are relevant to my categories of work, review grant applications and familiarize myself with the grant-making process. Overall, I was privileged to be fully engaged in everything that was going on in the program.

I have completed seven major assignments, including translation of calls for proposals, review of grantee reports, a research project on the UN Human Rights tools and a survey regarding the funding for women’s rights organizations in Eurasia.

The best advice I can give to students looking for internships is to follow your true professional passion and have an idea of what kind of knowledge and experience you are looking to gain before you start applying for internships. Ask questions, be curious and don’t be afraid to make a mistake – being an intern is a fantastic hands-on learning platform. I wish you all luck and great professional and educational experiences.

Beginning my professional career as an educator in the South Bronx and Chicago’s turnaround schools, I developed a strong passion for closing the achievement gap. When I decided to transition and work with post-secondary students, Baruch College and CUNY’s mission to provide quality, accessible education greatly influenced my decision. It is rewarding to attend an institution whose values align with my own.

Immediately after getting accepted into the HEA Program, I proactively sought opportunities to work with students. Through Career Services, I learned about the graduate assistant positions in the Office of Student Life and Office of New Student Programs and Leadership Development at Baruch. I pursued and landed both of them. These assistantships allowed me integrate what I was learning in the classroom, such as student development, finances in higher education, quantitative and qualitative research, and administrative services. They also gave me direct experience working with students, including advising clubs and organizations on campus-wide event planning, such as Spring Fling and Women’s Heritage Month, leading workshops, such as officer training, creating leadership development material, and coordinating off-campus service learning and spring break trips to Washington D.C. and Philadelphia, PA. Although my assistantships have ended, I am eager to continue this work in student life and leadership development, as well as in opportunity programs.

If I can give one piece of advice to those searching for internships, I would say not to wait for an opportunity to come knocking at your door. Do your research, reach out to administrators early on, ask questions, and go get it!

As an MPA student focusing on policy analysis, social justice/human rights, and trauma, I am interested in learning how organizations and agencies can best focus on serving populations, involving populations within the policy process, and how to implement policies that create positive results. During the spring 2017 semester, I interned with the Vera Institute of Justice’s Policing Program as a Graduate Research Intern. Vera was founded in the 1960s and policing reform is something that continues to be a central aspect of its work. One of my projects is researching and writing a paper on Vera’s policing work. This included the first project involving policing, the Manhattan Summons Project during the 1960s. The pilot program was so successful that it was eventually adopted and expanded to all police precincts in New York City. It also revolutionized how summonses were used and how police in New York City interacted with communities. I am also learning a lot about police performance assessment and community policing since I research and catalog current news stories and events involving these topics. The internship as a whole has increased my interest in police and community policing.

My advice to any student seeking an internship is to research and be consistent. I started the MPA program in spring 2017 and was determined to gain experience with organizations I believed I could help and could help me learn about myself. So, I sent out applications to as many relevant organizations as I could and utilized Marxe Career Services when I secured interviews. Now that I am looking for an internship for the summer I find myself utilizing the MPA job board and Center more for help and suggestions. It is always good to remember that you never know what is out there unless you look and ask for help!

Given my work experience in the State mental health system and passion for healthcare, the healthcare policy track was a natural fit for me and one of the factors that motivated me to pursue my MPA at Baruch. Throughout the summer, I interned with the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) in the office of Equity Diversity & Inclusion (OEDI). I had the opportunity to perform outreach and training events with some of the Departments 10,000 civilian and uniformed employees. Additionally, I was a part of developing a digital platform that the Office of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion will now use to catalog and track EEO complaints.

In searching for internships, I have utilized Marxe CareerConnect; the database continually posts a wide range of opportunities that have sparked my interest. One of the greatest tools that I have utilized from the Career Services Office has been the resume review service. I feel as though tailoring my resume to the positions I’ve applied for has made a huge difference in my application process and in securing my current role. I would suggest applying to opportunities that are different from what you’ve done in the past. Previously I had primarily focused on careers and internships in the healthcare profession; however, I have found that working in a policy role at the administrative level can take many new and exciting forms. If asked a year ago how I felt about possibly working for the Department Of Sanitation, I would have never thought it was for me. This new knowledge has opened my mind to the possibility of one day shaping city agency policy and ingrained a passion for the way New York City manages some of the city’s most vital resources.

I’m now working for the agency that most fits my career interests increasing the possibility of landing a Policy Analyst position within this area. I’m interning at MTA New York City Transit. The focus of my MPA is policy analysis and evaluation with special emphasis on transit policy and planning. I’m currently interning as a timekeeper processing payroll time sheets for Maintenance Parts Suppliers for Bus and Subway Depots. I found out about the Internship Program at MTA NYCT by meeting with Career Services Advisors. In fact, the only way to sign up for the MTA Internship Program is through Career Services. Beyond the Internship Program, the Advisors at Career Services helped me enhance my resume, prepare me for interviews, and advised me on job search strategies. Once you decide on your career path, remain persistent and confident. In the meantime, as you focus on getting an internship in your desired agency, look for related opportunities. While government agencies have varying areas of focus, what you learn from working there will most likely be transferable once you land an internship or job in your desired agency.

As an MPA student at the Austin W. Marxe School of Public & International Affairs, my primary focus is to learn more about public management allowing me to positively effect a larger part of our population. During summer 2016, I interned at the NYC Office of Management and Budget in the Administrative Agencies and Elected Officials Unit, which handles the capital and expense budget of thirty NYC agencies including Mayoralty, DCAS, and DoITT. As an intern, I updated data within the Adopted Plan from the Executive Financial Plan and reconciled the budget of all thirty agencies. I also contributed to the creation of an Access Brief Sheet enabling the task force to easily keep track of all initiatives. This internship helped me to learn about the operations of various New York City governmental organizations and how to obtain the best results with limited resources. I was able to use my quantitative and analytical skills to conduct many budgetary operations. Overall, I grew my professional network as well as attained personal growth.

I have always worked with Career Service to prepare targeted application materials for specific jobs or internships. I also utilize mock interviews, which helps boost my confidence level for interviews. Lastly, I have built an excellent relationship with my Career Advisor, who helped me figure out my career goals. I recommend that students use career service at least once a month to create and implement an action plan fostering their career development. It is also beneficial to attend various Marxe career events providing a platform to learn more about the job market and network.

The focus of my MPA is Healthcare Policy, I hope to become a healthcare administrator within a hospital network and work towards a Director role. I am currently interning at Visiting Nurse Service of New York (VNSNY) in the Research Department. I am contributing to a stroke study where I will eventually interview participants. I am currently supporting all areas of our research and attending related meetings with stakeholders. My internship is allowing me to learn an integral database commonly used in hospital settings and strengthening my ability to multitask, preparing me for a healthcare administrator role.

Career Services helped me find an internship right away. I met with Ms. Bartholomew and she was amazingly helpful. She identified the internship, reviewed my resume and cover letter, and forwarded it to the employer. I was initially struggling to find an internship and thanks to Career Services, I was able to secure one within a short timeframe. The best advice I can give students currently seeking an internship is to go to Career Services for assistance because they truly guide you in the right direction based on your goals. You also have to keep your mind open to unpaid internships as they can be great resume builders and provide flexible schedules.

I am currently interning at the Visiting Nurse Service of New York (VNSNY) and Changing Our World, Inc. At VNSNY I am responsible for entering appeals into Raiser’s Edge and managing the distribution of gift notifications by mail. At Changing Our World, I focus on prospective donor research. Both internships are launching my career in development because I am getting well rounded exposure. For instance, at VNSNY I am learning the importance of a strong development department. It is very important to manage the influx of donations and maintain a relationship with all donors in house. Furthermore, Changing Our World, Inc. is teaching me how to solicit donors based on their philanthropic behavior.

Career Services has been outstanding in my search for internships. I met with my Career Advisor, Kerry Bartholomew, almost every week and she always provided feedback regarding my search. I did not understand how to talk about myself in a way that was substantial to prospective employers. Kerry taught me that every task requires a transferable skill and that I knew more about Nonprofits than I thought. That is what led me to a paid opportunity with Changing Our World, Inc. It is important to remember that you have something to offer and the right opportunity will present itself.