Abby Fox ’19 is a Communications Studies major on the NYC Campus and current Consumer Products intern at Viacom. She’s interned for music and talent agencies, written for Beyond The Stage magazine, worked as an usher at the Schimmel Center, and volunteered for nonprofits like Abington Friends Meeting and Read Ahead. Back on campus, Fox earned positions like Member Relations Committee Vice-Chair of the Lambda Sigma National Honors Society and Programming Committee Co-Chair for the Honors Council. She’s even hosted on WPUB Radio!

Right now, Fox works with both the Brand Licensing and Live Entertainment teams at Viacom, which is where her opportunity to pitch to Amy Poehler came from. Exciting? You bet! We got the chance to chat with Fox about that experience as well as her love of all things New York.

Why did you end up choosing Pace? What set Pace apart from other universities?
As a junior now, I feel that I have really ended up where I belong. Living in New York is such an exciting experience; I love being able to see the Freedom Tower out my window or going for a casual stroll on the Brooklyn Bridge on the weekend. Pace—and the city in general—has provided me with an endless amount of opportunities from engaging classes, to leadership positions in extracurricular groups, to incredible internship opportunities pertaining perfectly to my area of study. Pace is a unique school because New York City is one of our campuses, and that was one of the major reasons why I chose to spend four years here.

How did you hear about Career Services?
I first heard about Career Services during an open house before I had even committed to Pace. I was definitely interested in the internship and networking possibilities, and the Pace Career Services office seemed to be very knowledgeable and helpful to students, especially in such a city like New York, which is rich with career opportunities.

During my first semester, a Career Services representative came to talk to my UNV 101 class about all the services they had to offer, and as a brand new freshman, I’ll admit it was slightly overwhelming. But one thing stood out to me: Handshake. I thought it was great that Pace gave students access to hundreds of internship listings from all different cities on one convenient website. So I went to Career Services during my sophomore year. They edited and approved my resume, which unlocked Handshake so that I could start applying for internships.

Who worked with you?
Orellana del Fierro worked with me to improve my resume.

We’re told that you conducted an enormous amount of research during the application and interview process. Could you walk us through that?
After my freshman year, I was lucky enough to land my first internship with a talent agency. The CEO of the company was actually the mother of a friend in my neighborhood back home, so I reached out to her on a whim to see if she had any opportunities for me to volunteer or intern in her company in order to gain some experience in the entertainment industry, and she offered me a summer position the very next day!

However, most internships don’t come that easily, so when I got an interview with Viacom (the company I’m at now), I wanted to make sure I was well-prepared. I had actually applied to about 50 internships with different companies to increase my chances; I keep a long list of media, communications, and entertainment companies I'm interested in, and I also browsed through general career websites like Glassdoor and Linkedin. I didn't hear back from most of the places I applied, but I did get interviews with six of them, and Viacom ended up being the best offer and most exciting company, so it worked out pretty well.

My past internships were all with start-up companies, so at first I was a little surprised that I stood out to Viacom without having any big names on my resume. I had two interviews (one with HR and one with the specific department) and both were really good, no-pressure conversations about my experiences and interests. I did a lot of research familiarizing myself with the company’s brands and department functions, and I made notes of relevant responsibilities from my past positions, so I felt very prepared. They actually offered me the internship the next morning!

Just recently, I found out that I got a spring internship for next semester with Viacom, again in the Spike TV Communications department, so I’m pretty excited.

Of all your employment positions, which did you like best? What was a defining moment for you while working there?
I am loving my current position as a Consumer Products intern with the Brand Licensing and Live Entertainment teams at Viacom. I work on researching festival news and helping with the initial planning stages for a comedy/music festival in addition to organizing merchandise samples, products, and art assets for review from our licensees.

One defining moment that happened recently was that the Vice President of my department actually asked me to draft a pitch that would be seen by Amy Poehler and her manager. I was so excited because I’ve been a huge fan of hers for years, and it means a lot knowing that my superiors trust me to do actual, important work. It’s something that I can be proud to talk about during future interviews and to have on my resume.

When did you decide to pursue Communications as a major? Why?
I decided to pursue Communications before I even began my college career, and luckily it has proven to be a great choice. It incorporates many of my interests and passions—media studies, cultural studies, public relations, broadcast media, and journalism. My classes also touch on themes of history, language, sociology, and psychology. With a degree in Communication Studies—especially in the ever-changing media and information economy—I can feasibly take many different career paths, but I chose to specialize in the entertainment industry, specifically by minoring in Arts and Entertainment Management.

Could you tell us a little bit about your work with Abington Friends Meeting?
I was in junior high school when I overheard my mother talking about a situation at our Quaker Meeting. They had received an urgent request from Face to Face, a nonprofit agency serving hot meals to the needy in the Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia. In the past, various religious communities provided casseroles to be frozen and then prepared for meals, but the program was beginning to fizzle in many communities due to scheduling difficulties for the volunteer cooks. Without the casseroles, Face to Face would sometimes have to close their doors to people still waiting in line for a meal, so I volunteered to initiate a new approach to make the timing more convenient.

I spoke with the staff at Face to Face, then put together foil pans with instructions for participation and recipes taped inside each pan. The pans were given out at our Meeting so the cooks could take them home to make casseroles at their own convenience. I oversaw the delivery, added the option for people to donate money for ingredients, and communicated regularly with the community so that members would stay informed. People seemed to pay attention because I was passionate about the project, and it continues to be successful to this day as other young members take the lead as coordinators.

What motivates you?
My motivation is New York City. There are so many opportunities here, especially in my field. If I didn’t take advantage of all the possibilities, I know I would regret it.

Tell us surprising fact about you! What’s something most people don’t know?
Although I am often busy with balancing classes, my internship, and my other job, I really just love to take naps whenever I have the chance. There is nothing better than curling up with my blankets and forgetting about everything happening in the world around me for just a few minutes.

The Pforzheimer Honors College was a big reason why Noelle Howard ’19 was initially drawn to Pace. It was a unique environment that acted as “a home away from home,” she said, which makes sense. She grew up quite a distance from the NYC Campus—all the way up in Northern New York at the border of Canada along the St. Lawrence River.

Howard’s had her eye on moving to the Big Apple for a while, though, and the Honors College provided just what she was looking for. “Their individualized advising provides such a great support system,” Howard said. “You’re paired with someone who knows you and the things you are interested in and will recommend programs based on those interests.”

Originally, she chose to major in finance—and people made a ton of incorrect assumptions when they heard. “I would always get asked if I wanted to work in investment banking. My response was: definitely not!” It took signing up for Mathematical Economics (taught by Lecturer Sam Baruch) to get Howard thinking about what major she might like to switch to. “I really enjoyed getting a more well-rounded understanding of how the economy works. I have been able to use this in my finance courses to deepen my understanding of the topics we are taught.”

Beyond the classroom, Howard has been an active member of the Tau Sigma National Honor Society, Kappa Delta, and Beta Alpha Psi, whose completion team won second place in the nation last year. “Those experiences made me realize how much I enjoyed learning outside of the classroom, so I began looking at what other opportunities Pace offered. That’s when I found the Model United Nations.”

There, she nabbed an Outstanding Position Paper award for her research at the 2017 Conference. “The experience changed me in multiple ways,” she told us. “I learned a lot about different countries, I honed my writing and presentation skills, and I learned a lot about the different functions of the UN.” In particular, Howard said that meeting fellow students from other universities helped make the conference enjoyable.

Her desire to make the world a better place doesn’t stop there. She also interned for an immigration law firm last year, which was a job that left a huge impact on her. “When families would come into the office and they [were] told their paperwork for citizenship was accepted, their reactions were truly amazing. I felt very fortunate to be able to witness it.”

It’s that empathy and desire for human connection that has woven its way throughout Howard’s life, beginning, perhaps, with her competitive ballet dancing. (Yes, really.) “I’ve greatly missed ballet while I’ve been at school,” she told us. “It had a very large impact on my life. I loved dance because it was an escape; during rehearsals, you would be so focused on what you were doing that you couldn’t possibly think of anything else [in that] moment.”

She went on to explain that ballet became a way for her to relieve stress, and that moving an audience through dance was why she continued coming back to it again and again. “The impact performances [can] have is truly amazing. Some people are brought to tears because of the story [being] conveyed. That’s what inspires me most about dance.”

Mason Murray ’19 is no stranger to competition. He’s a finance major on the NYC Campus with a bevy of internships under his belt: SmartAsset, HIS Markit, SEC, Highland Capital Management, Blue Wolf Capital, and even JPMorgan. Murray was even selected as one of 90 applicants to the 2017 Goldman Sachs Pride Summit, a multi-day opportunity for undergraduate freshman and sophomores to participate in career workshops and meet with members of the firm’s LGBTQ network.

Back at Pace, Murray is a Chairperson for Beta Alpha Psi’s Investment Group, works as a teaching assistant for the entry-level Business Honors Course, and is a student representative for the Business Honors program. He also takes time out of his busy schedule to volunteer for Read Ahead, a nonprofit that promotes childhood literacy, and a subject he’s extremely passionate about. Join us for a rundown of all the incredible things he’s been up to lately!

Why did you end up choosing Pace? What set Pace apart from other universities?
I’m from Dallas, Texas, so when I began looking at colleges in high school, I looked everywhere—east coast, west coast, close to home, far away. I narrowed it down to NYC because I knew I would be pursuing finance and I loved the city. I remember when I visited other schools in the same area, the tours were really impersonal and I couldn’t picture myself there. Then I visited Pace and they had a personalized little bag with information about the business school and other things that interested me. It was a small gesture, but it really stuck with me and helped me realize that Pace would be a good fit.

How did you hear about Career Services? Were you referred by a professor or a student?
I first heard about Career Services in UNV101, but didn’t actively engage with the department until I was a part of the Wall Street Careers Workshop headed by Susan Glendon. This was a really pivotal experience for me in terms of helping me zero in on what I wanted to do with my degree and how to make that happen. From then on, Career Services—and specifically Susan—have been an incredible resource for me.

What was the preparation process like?
The Wall Street Careers Workshop really helped to prepare me in terms of getting a better idea of what the finance industry looks like as a whole. It also helped me fine tune my resume and networking skills. When I finally landed an interview, Susan helped to prep me by mock interviewing me as well as letting me how I could better prepare for that specific interview, like being well-read on the company and available position.

Of all your employment positions, which did you like the best? What was a defining moment for you while working there?
All of my internships have been pretty different, so they’re hard to compare. I guess I enjoyed my time at IHS Markit the best. They had a super robust intern program with about 25 other interns in the New York office, so it was fun to meet and hang out with other college students from all over the country—and even the world. My work there also helped me understand what I like to do and what I want and need from a career.

A defining moment during my time at IHS Markit was probably the intern group project that I participated in. IHS Markit is an extremely global company, and there are probably about 20 groups of five to six interns who participated in that project competition all over the world. We were tasked with coming up with a new product or process and pitching it to the C-suite and board of directors at the end of the internship. Working with other super smart and motivated interns really pushed me and helped me to grow a lot as a team player. I learned so much and my team ended up coming in second globally, so that was awesome.

What motivates you?
I’m a really motivated person, but it’s hard for me to pinpoint exactly where that comes from. I guess I like to surround myself with people like me who are successful and motivated as well. That helps me to stay on top of my game and keeps a little pressure on me to achieve my goals. I also am pretty competitive, so the idea of competition really motivates me.

You’re a Student Mentor for the non-profit Read Ahead, which promotes children’s literacy in New York. What drew you to volunteer for them? Why is it important to you?
Honestly, I first signed up for Read Ahead because I thought it would look good on my resume. I knew that employers value volunteer experience, and I like kids, so I thought it was a good match—and I was right! It’s probably one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had in the city, and it helped me to learn a lot about the public school system in NYC.

This is important to me because from a political standpoint, education is the policy issue that I’m most passionate about. I think it can fix a lot of other problems in our country. In the NYC public school system, there are a lot of underprivileged children who don’t get very much one-on-one time in the classroom, and this is a great solution to help young students catch up to their classmates’ reading level.

You were selected as one of 90 applicants to the 2017 Goldman Sachs Pride Summit. That’s incredible! What was that experience like?
This was an amazing experience that opened up so many doors for me and introduced me to so many awesome people. It was there that I really became motivated and passionate about a career in financial services. It was also so cool to see that a company like Goldman not only cared about diversity, but celebrated it. The experiences I had there and the people I met have stuck with me to the present, and has ultimately been the reason why I fulfilled my goal of landing a front office internship at a bulge bracket bank here in NYC. I’ll be at JPMorgan next summer in the Private Bank doing wealth management.

There are no cold cases for Christina Stewart ’19. She's a junior criminal justice major with a psychology minor, and she's been busy on the Pleasantville Campus! Stewart conducted research alongside the Assistant Vice President for Undergraduate Education, Susan Maxam, PhD, on human trafficking in the US. She interviewed legal professionals and collected incident reports in order to create crime maps used to demonstrate where human trafficking occurs. And all that hard work paid off—Stewart was selected to present her final research findings at the International Journal of Arts and Sciences Conference in Freiburg, Germany!

She's served as the Secretary for Alumni Hall Council and as the Secretary for Elm Hall Council, and now, she's the President of the Criminal Justice Society. Stewart has also interned for law offices, a probation office, and most recently, the Legal Aid Society of Westchester County. What's she up to now? We caught up with her recently to find out!

Why did you end up choosing Pace? What set Pace apart from other universities?
I ended up choosing Pace because of its location and the opportunities it offers. It's close to home, but not too close. I still get that college experience of being away from home without being too far. In addition to its ideal location, Pace makes it easier to get a job or internship. They offer numerous resources, such as Career Services, which prepare students for success outside of the classroom.

How did you hear about Career Services? Were you referred by a professor or a student?
I first learned about Career Services during my freshman year in my UNIV 101 class. From there, my professors reiterated that it was a great resource, and in particular, they suggested that I go to Career Services for help with resume writing. I took their advice, and have been going ever since. I've found it to be extremely helpful.

Who worked with you?
I originally worked with Nicole Catalfamo, who was incredibly attentive. She assisted with updating my resume and helping me find an internship. I would always brag about how efficient and on top of things she was—I could email her a copy of my resume with some changes that I wanted her to make, and she would email me a revised copy within an hour. She even went out of her way to personally call all the law firms in my town to ensure that I would have at least one internship for the summer (and ultimately, she was the reason I actually got one).

Since then, I have been working with Victoria Quaranta. She has been very helpful as well! I would also like to mention my professor, Maryellen Martirano, as someone who has been a tremendous help. Professor Martirano is the internship coordinator for the Criminal Justice Department on the Pleasantville campus. She helped me get my internship at the Legal Aid Society of Westchester County, and at the United States Department of Probation for the Southern District of New York.

What was the preparation process like?
I've mainly gone to Career Services for help with resume building, so any time I went, I made sure I had a list of key notes that I wanted to include. All I had to do was set up an appointment and email a copy of my current resume to whichever career counselor I made an appointment with. Each counselor I've met with has been very professional, offering helpful tips for how to build a standout resume.

Of all your employment positions, which did you like the best? What was a defining moment for you while working there?
It can be said that experiential learning can leave a long-lasting impression on you, and can teach you more than simply learning inside a classroom. In my case, this could not be more accurate. Each employment position I've had has presented me with a different experience. For this reason, I value each experience equally.

During my time at Pace, I have had three internships. Last summer, I completed two internships simultaneously. I was an intern at the United States Department of Probation for the Southern District of New York in White Plains, and I was also an intern at the Law Offices of Cecilia Buck-Taylor in my hometown of New Milford, CT. Last fall, I interned at the Legal Aid Society of Westchester County in White Plains, NY.

It is safe to say that I have had quite the exposure to different aspects of the criminal justice system. I can honestly say that I have been able to see the criminal justice system through several different lenses. From the perspective of a prosecutor and defense attorney, to a probation officer, and even to judges and witnesses while sitting in on court hearings was such an enriching experience. I witnessed the criminal justice system come full circle, which was certainly the defining moment for me throughout all of these opportunities.

What motivates you?
Doing a good job and making myself proud is my primary motivation. I always strive to put in my best effort whenever I'm faced with a task because I want to achieve the best result possible. I believe my work and work ethic is a representation of myself, so I strive to do well.

On top of being the Secretary for the Elm Hall and Alumni Hall councils, you're also the President of the Criminal Justice Society. How have these roles shaped you as a professional?
Freshman year, I was the Secretary for Alumni Hall Council, and my sophomore year, the Secretary for Elm Hall Council. Throughout both of these positions, I worked with E-Board members to plan and host events for residents, I recorded minutes at weekly meetings and events to relay information to residence hall members, and I inputted student attendance to calculate student engagement efforts. I learned how to communicate effectively with members of the E-Board, and I learned to work collaboratively. I also learned the importance of delegating tasks so that everyone is held responsible, ensuring that no one is left with all the work.

I have been the President of the Criminal Justice Society since April 2017. As President, I have been molded into a more confident, comfortable public speaker. I've learned the importance of planning ahead, organizing, and making sure people are on the same page. Having open communication with your club members is especially important. When there's effective communication, less problems ensue. I've also learned to be a more effective listener by taking into account the suggestions and recommendations of club members.

You were selected to present your research on human trafficking at the International Journal of Arts and Sciences Conference in Germany. What an incredible achievement! What was that experience like?
Over the summer, I participated in the Provost's Undergraduate Student-Faculty Research Program alongside Sue Maxam, PhD, who has served as a mentor since my freshman year. As one of the most vile crimes committed against humanity, human trafficking is a dilemma that is extremely common across the globe—even in the US. Simply put, human trafficking is the unjustified trade and exploitation of individuals for sex or for labor through force, fraud, or coercion. It erodes human dignity and is an incredible ethical challenge facing the world today. Through our research project, "Using Crime-Mapping to Understand and Identify Hot Spots for Human Trafficking in the US," we brought awareness to the issue of human trafficking, while also helping to dispel the myth that it's an overseas problem by mapping out hotspots in NYC where this inhumane crime is most prevalent. Maxam submitted our research to the International Journal of Arts and Sciences for a chance to present our findings at a conference in Germany, and we were chosen from thousands of international applicants. It was truly a shock to the both of us that we were accepted, and we immediately started planning for it. That would be my first time out of the country.

The conference ran from November 28, 2017 to December 1, 2017, and was held at the University of Freiburg in Freiburg, Germany. Researchers presented on the first and last day of the conference on a range of topics relating to business, education, science and technology, and social sciences and humanities. I presented on the last day of the conference in a poster presentation. I was concerned that since it was the last day of the conference, there wouldn't be many people in attendance, but this was certainly not the case. Much to my relief, there was a great turnout for my presentation, so much so that I ended up going over my presentation time limit and remained presenting for around 45 minutes. It was a surreal experience to be presenting research that I had been collecting since May, and an even more rewarding experience to see people so engaged with what I was saying. People were extremely receptive to the information and asked a lot of questions. I truly felt like I achieved my original purpose behind the project, which was to raise awareness about this modern-day slavery.

As part of the conference's program, we spent a full day in France and Switzerland as sponsored by the EU's Directorate General for Education and Culture. The main purpose was to provide experiential learning and to promote common values and closer understanding between different peoples and cultures. It was incredible to be able to see three countries in one week. Every location we went to was decorated for Christmas. There were places that I went to that were so picturesque, so quaint, I couldn't even believe they were real. Whether we were in Bern, Switzerland, or Strasbourg, France, each location was a feast for the eyes. Without a doubt, this was the opportunity of a lifetime. I met people from all over the world including Nigeria, Iraq, Malaysia, Indonesia, and more. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was certainly the highlight of my educational career, and a trip that I will remember for the rest of my life.

Tell us fun and/or surprising fact about you! What's something most people don't know?
I have spent quite a bit of time around inmates and in correctional facilities. This past semester, I took a course called "Strategies in Corrections Administration," taught by Kimberly Collica-Cox, PhD. Through this course, my class and I engaged in a service-learning project at the Westchester County Jail. Our objective was to co-teach a parenting program to women inmates at the jail. We were able to directly interact with the inmates and work one-on-one with them during group activities and discussions. There is a definite need to implement and maintain prison-based programming, which has been shown to reduce maladaptive behavior and recidivism, and this parenting program was the perfect curriculum to bring to the women there.

As an economics major, Argenys Morban ’19 knows his stuff. Since he came to the NYC Campus, he’s been an active member of Pace’s award-winning Federal Reserve Team as well as the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting. Morban even got involved in the opening of a new nonprofit, Special Ops NYC, which provides those experiencing homelessness with much-needed resources. In 2018, he interned at the Battery Park City Authority assisting in the research, tracking, and enhancing of accounts receivable data for 30 residential buildings, six commercial buildings (including the Goldman Sachs office at 200 West), and two hotels in Battery Park City. Currently, he is an equity research seasonal analyst at Goldman Sachs.

Morban isn’t all business, though. He’s been an avid Guns N’ Roses fan for a while now, and not only did he learn how to play the drums and bass, but he’s also working on his proficiency with a third instrument. What’s this rocker up to now? We tracked him down on his tour through Pace for all the details!

Why did you end up choosing Pace? What set Pace apart from other universities?
I went to a very small high school where everyone knew each other and treated one another like family. I cherished every moment I spent there and wanted to find a university that embodied some of those values, as well as one that had a reputation built on opportunity. After countless hours of looking for and applying to different colleges, I remembered an old travel baseball coach of mine—who is probably one of the nicest, all-around coolest people you'll ever meet—telling me about his experience at Pace and how much he loved it there as an undergrad student. I told myself, "If these are the kinds of people that the culture at Pace produces, then that is where I want to be for the next four years of my life."

Another key factor that played a role in my decision to come to Pace was its large population of international students. I've always enjoyed meeting people from different parts of the world because it allows me to learn more about different cultures and it broadens my perspective in life. Having the opportunity to interact with those students on a daily basis was definitely a big plus for me.

How did you hear about Career Services? Were you referred by a professor or a student?
I remember hearing about Career Services during my UNV 101 class. My professor at the time, Carolyn Endick, informed the class about Career Services through a presentation conducted by one of the Career Services advisors. It was really helpful and pushed me to start prepping for my future early on in college, which was vital in helping me land my first internship.

Who worked with you?
I worked with Rachel Josephson at Career Services.

What was the preparation process like?
Career Services truly did a great job ensuring I was well-equipped for the real world when it came time to make the transition from student to professional. Specifically, Rachel Josephson was amazing! She revised my resume with me on multiple occasions and made sure I presented my candidacy as an employee eloquently on paper. Additionally, she showed me how to prepare for life in the workplace by providing me with all the resources that would go on to make me a valuable asset for my current and future employer.

Of all your employment positions, which did you like the best? What was a defining moment for you while working there?
I would have to say I enjoyed my time working as an assistant baseball coach for New York Empire Baseball the most. I grew up playing for their travel team all the way through the end of high school, so it became like a second family for me over the years. As for defining moments, I always got an inexplicably great feeling when I saw one of the kids I trained go on to hit their first homerun. The huge smile on their faces while they enthusiastically ran around the bases to then go on and see their entire team waiting to celebrate with them at home plate was just an incredible experience as a coach. It's also something they will remember for the rest of their lives.

What motivates you?
I genuinely love helping people. One of the reasons I work so hard today is so that I can reach a position that enables me to meet and inspire as many people as possible through philanthropy. It's astonishing how much uncharted potential there is out there because many people just can't afford to go to college. My end goal is to start a foundation that provides full scholarships to first-generation minority students seeking to attend any four year university of their choosing. I hope to provide them with the key to unlock that potential through this foundation. It's a huge motivation for me—making that happen.

You're the COO of a nonprofit working to aid those who experience homelessness. That's an incredible achievement! What drew you to that work? How did it all start?
Growing up in the city, I saw firsthand how omnipresent the issue of homelessness was at a very young age. It progressively worsened as the years went by, and I wanted to find a direct solution that ensured the homeless would receive the necessary resources they lacked in their daily lives. Fortunately, the perfect opportunity came when my good friend from high school, Jake Hulsh, asked if I would be part of a nonprofit organization he had just founded called Special Ops NYC. I didn't hesitate to say yes.

It was very tough work at first. None of us had any experience running an organization, but we learned from our mistakes early on and made the proper adjustments to enhance our strategy. As a result, our team of six was able to provide over 500 homeless people with prepackaged food and clothing when we first launched in the summer of 2016. Additionally, we collaborated with Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen on Thanksgiving to help feed over 250 homeless people as part of our first annual Thanksgiving food drive this year! We are still growing and have even expanded to New Orleans and Boston to spread our mission to other cities in an effort to help as many homeless people as possible.

We see you've participated on the Federal Reserve Team! What was that experience like? How has it shaped you as a professional?
Being a Presenter on the Federal Reserve Team is definitely no walk in the park. It is perhaps the most arduous challenge I have ever experienced thus far, but it is so worth it. It was a very rewarding and awesome feeling winning Nationals after all of the hard work we put in this year, which taught me that staying determined and resolute really does pay off in the end. Additionally, with Professor Weinstock and Professor Colman as our advisors, we developed a deep understanding of how the Federal Reserve System functions, as well as an ability to comprehend and analyze movements in the financial markets and global economy.

Moreover, all of the skills I have acquired through the Fed Team have been and will continue to be so valuable in the workplace, especially as I prepare to begin my internship as an Equity Research Analyst for Goldman Sachs.

Tell us fun fact about you! What's something most people don't know?
I am a pretty huge Guns N' Roses fan. In fact, Slash, the lead guitarist, was the reason why I decided to pick up a guitar in the first place. I heard his solo in "Sweet Child O' Mine" and thought, "Whoa—that was awesome. How can I play that?" I quickly developed a love for music and went on to learn how to play the drums, bass, and have recently started practicing the piano.

Alyssa Ortega ’20 is a Childhood Education major and enthusiastic teacher-to-be on the Pleasantville Campus. She lent her talents to Bedford Road School just last year as a student teacher, dedicating her time outside of the Pace classroom to instruct in another classroom. And that’s in addition to her duties as the Student Director of Programming for the Student Government Association, as well as her membership to the Black Student Union and Pace FIRE. Ortega juggles an incredible amount of responsibilities, and yet, she still found time to maintain a 3.71 GPA.

So what drew this high achiever to Pace? “In all honesty, it was mostly to follow what my friends were doing,” she explained. “The reason I stayed was the feeling of actually coming into my own and forming relationships with those who later became my family.” It was that sense of comradery that started to become obvious in every aspect of the University the more time went on. “There are a number of clubs and organizations [available] where one can feel at home and make connections with others,” she told us.

With dedicated faculty and strong academic program on her side, Ortega felt fully prepared when she started working as a student teacher at Bedford Road School. However, she quickly discovered that there was one aspect of teaching she couldn’t have anticipated. “Children say the most unexpected and insightful things at the most random times,” Ortega told us. It must make the job well worthwhile!

One student in particular—Jonn, a second grader who wanted to be called Batman—made a big impact on her. “I had been working with him one-on-one for a couple of weeks, and he was slowly improving,” Ortega explained. One day, he came into class and pulled her aside to show off his achievement: a 91% on his math test. “It was the highest score he had ever gotten,” she told us. While Batman’s success was thanks, in part, to her dedication, Ortega was still humbled by the experience. “My students teach me, and I teach them.”

She’s mentored not only second graders, but her peers at Pace as well. Ortega focuses her efforts on assisting “[anyone] seeking a little bit of guidance,” particularly first-year students. When running for the SGA position, she opened up about her own experiences during her first year at Pace. “My freshman year was nothing but staying in my dorm and running back home every other weekend. Without someone [encouraging] me to come with them to an event, I would still be closed-off on campus.” That’s why it’s so important to her to give back.

We’re so excited to hear about Ortega’s next teaching position, and all the wonderful, interesting, and surprising experiences she’s bound to have.

Danielle Graziano ’18 seriously rocked her time at Pace. She’s just graduated as an arts and entertainment management major at Lubin with a marketing minor, and her heart is set on the music industry. With internships at the likes of Atlantic Records and Live Nation, working gigs for OneRepublic and Ed Sheeran, it’s pretty safe to say that Graziano has already broken into this big-time business. At Pace, she’s been heading up P.A.C.E. Board as co-president, overseeing many events on the NYC Campus: Setter Jam, Amateur Night, and The Voice auditions, just to name a few.

We got to pick her brain about all things music, interning, and life advice.

Why did you end up choosing Pace? What set Pace apart from other universities?
The first reason why I chose Pace was the world of opportunity. I’ve always had an interest in the music industry, so I wanted to come to New York for that. I’m from a small town in Massachusetts, so obviously the music industry was in NYC. The second reason was the actual major. There’s no other school that offers an arts and entertainment major, or really had something like that. I came here on the Pace preview tour and absolutely fell in love with it. I was like, “Yes, this is it.” Everyone seemed awesome and I just got really great vibes compared to all the other schools I looked at.

How did you hear about Career Services?
I went to a few employee spotlights with Career Services before I heard about their general meetings. I thought, “I need to get going on my internships and I need help with my resume!” So I went in and booked an appointment with Maria Pesantez, who was absolutely incredible. I also went to workshops and they really helped me get my resume ready, honed my interview skills—everything. They were so accommodating, and really wanted us to succeed.

What internships have you had?
They’re all primarily in the music industry, but the first one I worked at was a publishing company called Water Music Publishing. I was a branding and social media intern, and I got to work with an artist who’s actually one of my good friends. Then I had a gig at Warner Music Group in promotion, and that was an incredible experience. I still talk to and work with some of the supervisors from there. After, I moved over to radio promotion and marketing for Atlantic Records, and that was also within Warner Music Group. They have an amazing group of interns—they’re all so awesome!

I also worked Live Nation this summer as the special events intern, and pretty much worked a lot of private shows for actual tourists. For example, we threw a pre-party with OneRepublic, and handled a lot of the event planning and execution. That was actually in their Hartford office, so it was close for me since I didn’t live on-campus over the summer.

Look at your market when you’re searching for internships. If you’re home over the summer, Pace gives you opportunities to do internships wherever—even outside New York. Last fall, I worked at a marketing agency handling lot of production, some magazine launches, a lot of marketing, and social influencer work. Right now I’m at Superfly’s event operations team. They produce music festivals!

What was the preparation process like?
First, I had to figure out exactly what I wanted to do and with who. I did lots of research into different companies before making an appointment with Career Services. I attended cover letter workshops and got myself ready, applied to Warner Music. I also got a recruitment email from Professor Chris Ramos, who runs the arts and entertainment management program. Then I used Handshake for reference and resource stuff.

As for prepping for interviews: I did more research and identified key terms about each company pertaining to the position, like what to wear. In-person interviews are different—you have to be more prepared in terms of your appearance, direct eye contact, good handshakes, etc. Personally, I like phone interviews better, but either way, you have to show them your personality and how confident you are through the phone. You have to be bubbly and nice and treat it like a real conversation—treat them like a real person.

Of all your employment positions, which did you like the best?
Warner Music Group was definitely one of my favorites. I really got a full company wide experience, and everyone was really helpful. I got to talk with different departments and work for a lot of artists, like helping with Ed Sheeran’s release party—crazy things like that. Obviously, there was more to it than the fun stuff, but I really liked my supervisor there.

Live Nation was also an absolutely incredible experience for me, too. I got a lot of hands-on work and my bosses really let me take the reign on things. Being the co-president of P.A.C.E. Board, along with my friend Rachel Andrade ’18, is fun, too. We run all the NYC Campus entertainment events like the Setter Jam concert, Amateur Night, and The Voiceauditions that happened with SDACA.

Is that more stressful for you or do you have a lot of fun?
It’s so fun! It’s a lot of work, but I absolutely couldn’t imagine my years at Pace without doing it. I’ve met so many people from being in that club. From booking agents to artists to talent—everything. We’ve worked with musicians DNCE to all their managers, and it’s really a lot of hands-on work like handling people over the phone and coordinating with DJs.

What was a defining moment for you while working at that position?
One of the best moments was when Ed Sheeran’s album, Divide, released. We threw a big party and I got to meet him and his executives. It was really awesome. Also, I loved to track the numbers of the rating department with them, so like tracking all the hit tracks through numbers and social media and charting and radio. I have a weird passion for that. Also, really any event I got to work was definitely a highlight. Some of them were working a show for OneRepublic, or Sam Hunt, or John Mayer, to an FX launch for The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.

How did you decide on your major? What is it about media management that draws you?
When I visited for a tour at Pace, I already knew I wanted to do music, but also business, so I wondered what the best fit would be. At one of those tours, I got to meet Professor Ramos, who recommended arts and entertainment management. It was important for me to have that business side of it. That was the reason why I chose it, and I’m minoring in marketing because marketing and promotion go hand-in-hand. It’s important to have backgrounds in both when you’re working in the music industry.

What motivates you?
Getting the chance to influence people and help them succeed in the industry. I also love being surrounded by my classmates who are all doing really cool things. I think being in a leadership position on P.A.C.E. Board also motivated me because I want the club to succeed, and I want to build my personal brand. I’m a highly motivated person and a very big go-getter. I like to try new things, but when I started working at Warner Music Group, I was definitely motivated to do even bigger things, and became a well-rounded student because of it.

Were there any performers that inspired you as a kid?
I’ve always loved live performances and radio. My first concert was Hillary Duff. I kept begging my parents to let me go to concerts all the time. Ever since I was young, I always wanted to be involved with music. What influenced me were a few radio personality people, and I also loved Demi Lovato. With everything that she’s gone through, she inspired me to work hard and want to be in the industry even more.

Do you have any advice you’d like to give other Pace students?
Be yourself no matter what—for anything that you do in life. I have a crazy personality, but I’m also kind of shy, too, and I’ve never changed myself for anything. Also: try to be personable with everyone. It will bring you a long way and help other people out. Basically? Follow what you want in life, don’t think anything is a stupid idea, and never, ever doubt yourself.

Zakiya Sims ’18 is a computer science major on the NYC Campus and vice president of the Pace Computing Society (PCS), which has seen an increase in membership by a whopping 50 percent since she took the helm. This was a personal goal of hers that began all the way back in her first year. At the time, Sims spearheaded efforts to connect with and invite industry leaders to the club’s weekly meetings. Representatives from BuzzFeed, WeWork, General Assembly, UNICEF, IBM, and many others responded, beginning a storied academic career for Sims that would continue throughout her time at Pace.

“I did a lot of promoting [for PCS],” Sims explained to us. “I created flyers and posted them around the school. Starting out, we went to all of the orientations with a huge display board, put a bunch of questions on there, and gave out swag—t-shirts and stickers. People love free stuff. It also helped that we told them there’s free pizza. That’s how we really got out name out there and promoted the club.”

Since then, she’s interned for Bank of America and Harris Corporation, worked with Black Girls Code, and volunteered extensively for Tech Kids Unlimited. But at first? “When I was little, I wanted to be a writer,” Sims explained. “I really liked writing and coming up with stories. It was in high school that I got into technology and coding—I had a Myspace account, and I liked altering the backgrounds, and all that customization was done in HTML and CSS. I thought that was really cool and tangible—altering different stuff in a webpage and seeing it change in front of your eyes.”

Last year, Sims interned for Bank of America as a technology intern, and this year, she’s interned at Harris Corporation—two very different companies. “The financial industry is really fast-paced and it’s stricter when it comes to guidelines and what’s expected of you,” Sims told us. “Working at the defense company was more laid-back, but still really cool because I was working on products that the Armed Forces are actually using.”

All of that began with a trip to Career Services. “I went to them and sought out help on how to make my resume better and how to write a good essay,” Sims said. Not long after, she landed her second internship by attending one of the many career fairs offered on both campuses. “I met an organization there called INROADS. They pretty much help students get jobs in any field they want, and they guide you through the whole process. I followed up and eventually got matched with Harris, interviewed with them, and that’s how I got the job.”

For such a large company like Harris, which has multiple locations around the country, one might assume it would be easy to get lost in the shuffle. Not so for Sims! Recently, she was given an opportunity to pitch an original idea directly to her supervisor. “He allowed me to create my own independent project—something that he wanted to implement at the company. That was a great experience; it made me feel valued, that they actually take your ideas and listen to you and care about what you think.”

Sims also volunteers her time with Black Girls Code, a nonprofit organization working to provide education in the STEM fields to young black girls all over the US. “I helped the girls when they needed help with any lines of code and gave them motivation when they thought they couldn’t do it,” Sims explained, having participated in the nonprofit’s hackathons before becoming a mentor. “It was definitely really fun—seeing the girls learn code and come up with their website all from starch. It’s really impressive.”

As a mentor and a tech wiz herself, Sims had a few words of wisdom for any would-be coders out there: “I would say definitely explore the different options out there and be open. Grasp everything with an open mind, and if you’re into something, don’t be afraid to try it. Don’t think that this is way too hard for you—just go out there, explore opportunities, and do it. That’s really the main thing: thinking about something you want to do and just doing it.”

What motivates someone like Sims? “I would say knowing that I’m going to be making an impact on someone. Knowing that I’ll be making a positive impact and really contributing to something that’s bigger than me is what motivates me.” Wise words!

She recently accepted a job at the Walt Disney Company as a software engineer, and we couldn’t be happier to hear the news.

Salil Ahuja ’19 is an Economics major on the New York City Campus and the second in his family to attend Pace. “I initially came to visit my sister here, who just graduated,” Ahuja said. “I stayed over with her in the dorms for a few days, and I really liked the area.” For many prospective students, the NYC Campus is a bustling hub of energy and opportunity. For Ahuja, it reminded him of home. “Before moving to a small town in New Jersey, I grew up in Mumbai, which is a pretty big city in India. It was natural that I was [drawn] to NYC.”

He was also drawn to one major in particular, although his path toward that decision came as a surprise. “I actually decided to major in Economics after [taking] ECO 105, Introduction to Macroeconomics, with Professor Weinstock,” Ahuja told us. “I interacted with him quite frequently after class, and learned more about the department from him and the other professors, and I figured I might as well go for it.” That decision would set him on the path of an incredible journey—one that would champion over the likes of students from NYU and Harvard.

You might have heard about it. The big news was celebrated all throughout the Pace Community last year when the Federal Reserve Challenge Team (often shortened to “Fed Team”) won first place at the 14th annual national College Federal Reserve Challenge. That’s a big deal for any college student, but for our Setters? It practically makes them economics rock stars.

“The Fed Team was definitely the experience that changed me the most in college,” he said. Ahuja went on to describe an intense preparation process where he and his teammates worked “almost daily” leading up to the competition—a challenge in and of itself when you’re a college student trying to balance other coursework at the same time. And that’s not all.

Ahuja added that, “A lot of it [depends on] team-building and becoming closer with the people you’re seeing every day. I mean, personally, the people I’ve met through the Fed Team have become some of my closest friends, and that includes the professors. I credit a lot my development—academic and personal—to the Fed Team.” For a behind-the-scenes look, catch the latest issue of Pace Magazine.

Never one to slow down, Ahuja recently completed an internship at Credit Suisse, too. He worked in their Investment Banking division, specifically Corporate Lending, which was “a hell of an experience.” (Ahuja’s words, and very apt indeed.)

“The learning curve is so steep that you’re really thrown in there,” he continued, explaining that there was so much for him to learn and tackle head-on. “What I took away from it was being able to perform under pressure and deliver, especially since we’d be getting documents sometimes at 8:00 p.m., and would have to have the summaries by the next morning.” It was demanding job, he said, but one that he absolutely loved.

Something else he loves? Coaching soccer. Ahuja has been playing the sport his whole life, and he started refereeing as early as age 16. He even coached in high school—a deeply rewarding experience that he attributes to his professional skills today. He said that the sport “definitely contributed to my leadership skills and my ability to work in and take initiative in teams, which is all transferable to business.”

He’s also learning how to salsa. “I’m not very good at it,” Ahuja admits, “but I practice quite frequently with a friend I met through an economics class.” One thing’s for sure: he never stops moving!

Amoreena Crispino ’19 is a communication studies major on the NYC Campus who has seriously honed her media know-how: she’s a Resident Assistant (RA), a campus tour guide, the co-executive editor for The Pace Press, social chair for Kappa Delta, and she even finds time to perform standup with the Pace Sketch Comedy Group. Crispino also interned for Nickelodeon recently, and this fall? She’ll be working with the production team on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Of all her positions, though, Crispino told us that being chosen as an RA for the 182 Broadway dorms last year was a truly transformative experience. “It proved to be a lot of hard work, but so worth it in the end,” she said. “I had the most incredible staff working with me and I learned a lot about myself along the way. I know more people on campus than I did before (which I did not think was possible) and have so many connections for the future!” You might see her hanging around 33 Beekman, her next spot as an RA, sometime this year.

But what brought her to Pace in the first place?

Crispino narrowed her college search to two major cities: Boston and New York. “After going on a tour and learning more about Pace, I fell in love with it,” she explained, describing how living in Maria’s Tower in her first year only solidified that decision thanks to all the lasting friendships she made. And when it came time to pick a major, Crispino simply combined her three main interests: writing, creating, and media.

“Initially, I looked into journalism programs as I was entering college,” she said, before settling on something broader. She decided to take on a marketing minor after interning at Nickelodeon last year, though—a dream job for any ’90s fan, but for Crispino? It was incredibly special. “I expressed to my supervisor my love of SpongeBob SquarePants multiple times,” she admitted, which landed her a spot on the brainstorm team for an upcoming project to celebrate SpongeBob’s 20th anniversary. “I was asked to make a powerpoint presentation of just SpongeBob memes, aka the best day of my life. We came up with some ideas and I felt super important, having been asked [for] my opinions.”

That decision to minor in marketing helped to expose her to media history, not just modern media, and ultimately led Crispino to her favorite class to date. It was on a whim that she signed up for it, since she needed something to fill an AOK requirement. Taught by Professor Jason Whitesel, PhD, Crispino was at first apprehensive about taking it. The course? Gay Male Experiences. “It ended up being my favorite class! I learned so much, and being able to empathize and understand the LGBTQA+ community a little better, and it has given me so much joy and respect for others.”

This fall semester, she’ll be working for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Her interview tips? “Bring a few copies of your resume because you never know how many people might be interviewing you, and just be yourself! Employers don’t want to hire people who seem like the perfect candidate—they want people who are willing to learn and can grow from the experience.”