Internship and Career Profiles

Cameron Ogg ’11, Graduate Research Assistant & PhD Candidate in Neuroscience, University of Tennessee Health Science Center

1. Tell us about your current graduate studies.
 
Currently, I’m a graduate student at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, looking forward to graduating with a PhD in Neuroscience this August. In the lab, I use neuroimaging as well as behavioral approaches to better understand how different brain states, such as attention, can modulate sensory processing and lead to changes in perception. Whether presenting my work at a conference or teaching kids at brain awareness events, I really enjoy sharing science with others. I hadn’t realized that this isn’t the case with all scientists (there are plenty who would love to stay behind the bench). I’m hoping to cultivate and utilize this enthusiasm and excitement as I move forward in my scientific career.
 
2. What was your career path after graduating from Bard?
 
In my final year at Bard, I started to realize that graduate school was what I wanted to do, but I took some time after graduation to make sure this was the right decision for me. For a year, I worked in the Small Animal Imaging Core at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in my hometown of Memphis, TN. Working in a research environment solidified my desire to attend grad school and I began my current program in September 2012.
 
3. How do you feel your experiences at Bard helped prepare you for your career?
 
Several linguistics classes that I took at Bard stimulated my interest in neuroscience—without this exposure to the humanities, I wouldn’t have found the scientific field I love now! For my senior project work on tickborne disease, my mentor at Bard, Dr. Felicia Keesing, encouraged me to participate in the Research Experiences for Undergraduates program at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies. This early research experience, along with the critical and creative thinking cultivated at Bard, has proven so valuable to me in the years since.
 
4. What advice would you give to current students about “life after Bard”?
 
Be flexible. You may have a very specific plan about “what you want to be”, but unexpected opportunities can end up being better than you could have imagined! Consider and explore alternatives—at the very least, you’ll have grown from the experience.
 
5. What did you enjoy most about Bard?
 
Don Eastman, the president of Eckerd College, said that a liberal arts education “provides… for the development of the skills necessary… to become effective and thoughtful citizens of the world”. I am so thankful that not only did I get to become an educated citizen of the world at Bard, but that my son, who was born while I was at Bard, did as well. It’s more important than ever these days!
 

Grayson Morley '13, MFA Candidate, Fiction, Iowa Writers' Workshop

1) Tell us about your experience so far at The University of Iowa.

I'm an MFA candidate in fiction at the Iowa Writers' Workshop, and I teach both creative writing and English courses as part of my funding package. I'm working on an absurdist novel about UPS efficiency tracking, part of which will comprise my thesis when I graduate from the program in May 2017.

2) What was your career path post-Bard?

After Bard, I worked a six-month fellowship focusing on farmworker labor rights in Western New York. Then, I returned to Bard to work with the Office of Alumni/ae Affairs for just under two years. I started grad school at the Iowa Writers' Workshop in August 2015, and I'll finish the degree this coming May.

3) How do you feel your experiences at Bard helped prepare you for your current studies?

My Bard education proved to me the value of inquisitiveness and unwavering idealism. Mentors like Mary Caponegro and Matthew Mutter not only shaped my time in Annandale, but have remained treasured resources, and friends, into my life beyond Bard. My involvement with the Bard Prison Initiative remains a formative experience in my trajectory as an educator and person. I am deeply proud of my association with it, and with Bard as a whole.

4) What advice would you give to current students about “life after Bard”?

If your plan is to go to grad school, take some time off first. No, seriously. I received this advice from mentors, and while I was loathe to take it ("How many cover letters do I have to write?"), the years I spent working provided experiences that enriched my current course of education.

5) What did you enjoy most about Bard?

You never met a boring person. There were no carbon copies: everyone was so sincerely into their own, particular thing. My friends jokingly called it the Island of Misfit Toys, but since graduating, I've come to greatly miss that eclectic community.

6) Final thoughts about navigating the professional world post-Bard?

Things will be messy at first. Possibly disheartening. But embrace what comes—then work like hell to find your ideal.
 

Julia Jardine ’16, Assistant to the Director, The Eleanor Roosevelt Val-Kill Partnership

1) Tell us about role at Val-Kill. What do you enjoy most about it?

I manage the social media profile, our new WordPress website, conduct grant writing research and provide general assistance to the Director. What I love most about my job is what our organization stands for and how inspiring and kind the people I work with are.
 
2) How did you land this position?

I proposed working more hours with higher pay for the same organization I was already working part-time with and they took me up on the proposal, and provided me with an incredible amount of kindness and opportunity. I am now looking for full time work, or additional part-time work in the Hudson Valley in the Human Rights field, organizing with Planned Parenthood, and plan to keep working part-time for The ER Val-Kill Partnership. I was able to move out into my own apartment, where I now reside in Poughkeepsie, NY.
 
3) How do you feel your experiences at Bard helped prepare you for your career thus far?
 
Immensely. I feel confident that I can easily jump into a huge range of community building/service positions and learn fairly quickly the job at task and how to work within a team. I also think I am well-prepared to be a good citizen and help make a difference at any organization I work out.
 
4)  What advice would you give to current students about “life after Bard”?

Life after Bard is a lot about finding all the little ways to make your education applicable. I genuinely feel, especially in this day and age, that a Human Rights degree is even valuable working as a cashier at a supermarket. When we leave Bard, it's our job not to forget everything we learned at school, and more importantly to keep applying it to our every day lives. When you leave, continue to explore and take risks, but also know that there are very few communities quite like the Bard community, and that is easy to take for granted until you leave. So help to make your community more like Bard, and be grateful for all the privileges of Bard. When you leave Bard, and people just seem to think differently, don't walk away because they don't think like you. Start a conversation with them. That's maybe best how you apply what you learned at Bard.
 
5. What did you enjoy most about your time at Bard?

The conversations.
 

Monica Elkinton ’03, Assistant Municipal Attorney, Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska

1. Tell us about what you do and what you enjoy most about it.
 
I am an in-house attorney for the largest municipality in Alaska.  Anchorage contains about half the population of Alaska, about half a million people.  It's the most racially diverse city in the United States. 
 
I defend the city from lawsuits like personal injury or employment discrimination.  I am a civil litigator and go to court all the time, including doing jury trials.  I also advise the municipal departments on legal issues.  I like that it's a stable job, but with some excitement and variety, and the opportunity to learn all about how our local government works.
 
2. What was your path like from Bard to becoming an attorney?
 
I was a math major at Bard, and a TLS scholar.  I loved participating in Math Table for lunch and Pi Day parties, but I knew math graduate school wasn't for me.  When I was a First-Year, Lauren Rose said, "Math majors can do anything.  They can even go to law school."  In the 2000 election, the Dutchess County Board of Elections wouldn't let Bard students register to vote, so I organized a bunch of protests and we talked to a lawyer from the NY Civil Liberties Union and got help from the Dutchess County Democratic Party.  Luckily, things changed (for a while).  I befriended a party leader who worked for Senator Chuck Schumer.  She offered me a part-time unpaid summer internship in her office.  I worked there 10-4 on weekdays and made money by working at Stewart's Shop in Red Hook from 5-10am every day.
 
After Bard, I went to Northeastern University School of Law in Boston, which has paragraph evaluations instead of grades and focuses on public service and social justice instead of competition.  It also has mandatory internships as part of the law school graduation requirements.  Some students choose to do their internships in Boston, but I chose to do mine all over the country.  I worked for the Wisconsin Supreme Court and then public defenders in Alaska, Kentucky, and Miami.  After graduation I became a criminal defense attorney in Anchorage, and now I do civil law for the municipality. 
 
3. How do you feel your experiences at Bard helped prepare you for your career?
 
I took as many non-major classes at Bard as possible.  Music, religion, political studies, art, literature, history, whatever I could find.  All of it helped me to figure out what I wanted to do for a career, along with what I did NOT want to do. Bard taught me to be creative and to not be too scared about thinking outside the box.  A math background helps me line up my ideas in a linear way, and use logic to draw conclusions.  Writing proofs in math is pretty similar to writing legal briefs. I wrote so many papers at Bard that writing is also completely second nature to me.  I am always surprised how many people there are in the world that don't know how to write. 
 
4. What advice would you give to current students about “life after Bard”?
 
When I started at Bard, I didn't really know what to major in.  When I started law school, I didn't really know what kind of law I wanted to practice.  It's ok not to know, and to be exposed to lots of different things.  You'll figure it out. 
 
Lots of people are looking for a "dream job", but your "dream job" may not actually exist.  There are jobs that are very rewarding, but are very challenging.  There are jobs that are very demanding of your time, but compensated better than a job with more predictable hours.  Many jobs are driven by the personality of your supervisor or co-workers.  Try to figure out what qualities in a job you need, and what qualities you can live without.  Internships are helpful for this because they can give you insight into what you personally like or don't like about various jobs. 
 
5. What did you enjoy most about your years at Bard?
 
I loved my department faculty, and how close the Math and CS Departments were.  I also don't think I've ever had a chance since Bard to go to so many film screenings and art and photo shows.  The student art and music were amazing!! 
 
I loved being challenged by the other students too. I was at Bard during 9-11.  One of my classmates was living in Tivoli in a dog cage inside his house for an integrated arts project.  Visiting him to tell him what had happened the morning of 9-11 is an experience I will never forget.
 
6. Is there anything else you would like to share about Bard, careers, navigating the professional world, etc.?
 
Try out as many things as you want.  You'll never know until you try.  You can support yourself while still following your dreams.  Get retail jobs or whatever you need to pay your loans and rent while pursuing your goal. There's a whole big world out there of possible jobs.  Find as many people as possible who actually work in the field you want and talk to them about what it takes to get there.

 

Abigail Stevens '11, PhD Candidate, Anton Pannekoek Institute for Astronomy, University of Amsterdam

1) Tell us about your current studies.

I'm a PhD candidate at the Anton Pannekoek Institute for Astronomy at the University of Amsterdam, slated to finish in Fall 2017. I love that I get paid to be curious and study something that I find inherently fascinating.

2) What was your path from Bard to pursuing your PhD?

After finishing my BA in physics at Bard, I did an MSc in astrophysics at the University of Alberta. When I finished there in 2013, I moved to Amsterdam to start my PhD! I didn't take any significant time off between degrees.

3) How do you feel your experiences at Bard helped prepare your continued education and career?

I liked having individual attention and guidance from the professors and tutors while establishing foundational knowledge in physics and mathematics. Also, the senior project was instrumental in giving me a taste of scientific research -- I really enjoyed it and knew that I wanted to do more. While I still don't necessarily enjoy writing, I think it's a bit easier for me than it is for other scientists, since I did so much of it at Bard.

4) What advice would you give to current students about “life after Bard”?

Choose a mentor (separate from your advisor, possibly), talk to them about your aspirations (generally and specifically), and listen to their advice. My career path post-Bard wasn't some weird fluke or accident, but the result of following guidance from mentors who knew me well. It took me like 5 years after Bard to realize that. Also, grad school is really hard. Do it because it's necessary and will prepare you for the career you want, not because you're not sure what to do next. Finally, pay off your loans ASAP!

5) What did you enjoy most about your time at Bard?

I most enjoyed the sense of community, and I see Bard friends once a year or so when we're in the same city. Also, the landscape surrounding the campus is so beautiful - when Dutch winters get too gray and drizzly I like to look back on photos of Blithewood and the Catskills.

Check out more from Abbie, her research, and musings on her website, Astronomie Abbie, and blog: www.abigailstevens.com/

David Bloom, B.A. '13; M.M. '14, Co-Artistic Director and Conductor, Contemporaneous

1) Tell us about your current role. What do you enjoy most about it?
Contemporaneous is a 21-member new music ensemble based in NYC that I co-founded as a sophomore at Bard in 2010. We may look like a chamber orchestra, but really we’re a family. It’s incredible to work with such amazing, creative people who are also crack musicians!
 
2) What was your path like from Bard to your career with Contemporaneous?
Bard is really where my career started. A little less than half of our core members are Bard alumni, so our time together as students was extremely formative for the ensemble. Even my work outside of Contemporaneous has all come about because of the band.
 
3) How do you feel your Bard education helped prepare you for your career? 
At Bard, student initiative is not only possible; it’s encouraged. We saw a niche to be filled in new music, and we went for it. With the support of faculty, our peers, and the larger community, my most valuable learning came from engaging in professional-level activity.
 
4) What advice would you give to current students about “life after Bard”?
If you’re as lucky as me, some of the most valuable personal and professional connections you will make are around you right now: your classmates and professors. Keep in touch with them, and work with them as often as you can.
 
5) What did you enjoy most about your years at Bard?
That’s an even split between the incredible intellectual discourse in every imaginable discipline and the simply unmatched natural beauty. Enjoy it everyday, Bardians!

Want to learn more about David and Contemporaneous?
Website: www.davidbloomconductor.com
Contemporaneous website: www.contemporaneous.org
Contemporaneous Twitter and Instagram: @econtemp
Contemporaneous Facebook: www.facebook.com/econtemp
 

Rachel Nalecz '18, Software Development Intern, PTC

1) Why did you decide to pursue this internship experience?

I have enjoyed my Computer Science classes at Bard to the point that I decided that I wanted some experience out in the industry. Coding for a class is definitely different from coding for a job. Also, working full time as a developer for a temporary period of time was valuable to me, since I have a lot of interests and am still deciding which career to pursue.
 
2) How did you find this opportunity and what was the process like to get it?

I sent in lots of applications to REUs (Research Experience for Undergraduates), which would have been a different experience from an internship. But, I was fortunate to have two contacts in the software industry who helped secure interviews for me at places I was interested in working. The timing was a bit stressful, since I ended up having to respond to one offer before hearing back about the other, but I was pleased with my decision.
 
3) Tell us more about the experience. What are some of the most important things you learned?

My internship consisted of several 2-4 week intervals called “sprints,” each of which entailed a new project and new focus. This worked out well for me since it gave me a comprehensive view of the office and, at a microcosmic level, of the entire industry. I did some user interface work, implemented some automated tests for our application, and coded some optimization improvements for the performance of the app. I gained much knowledge of coding technique and software technology, but some of the most important things I learned were about interacting with my coworkers, speaking up on conference calls, navigating the dynamics of a tech office, and working a 40 hour work week in general.

4) What advice would you give your peers about pursuing a similar experience while attending Bard?

One of my coworkers here told me to never be ashamed of your connections, and I would definitely advocate the same. It can be difficult to land your first internship or job before you have some experience, which is what I had to do this summer. But I think a company is much more likely to hire you if someone is already pulling for you from the inside. If you are looking to get hired, talk to your professors, your friends, your parents, your parents’ friends… anyone who may already be connected to your industry. I babysat for a family years ago only to find out this past January that the father of the family was employed in my field, and he got me an interview. Who knew? So be creative; the world is smaller and more connected than you think, and you may be surprised by who is willing to go out on a limb for you.

5) What do you enjoy most about Bard?

My favorite part of Bard by far is the students. I pass hours upon hours talking to my peers about their majors, their projects, and their passions in life, and it never gets old. Almost everyone I have met at Bard has been extremely open, supportive, and responsive to whatever I have to say, and I love contributing to that culture.
 

Jim Toia ’85, Artist, Lecturer, Director of Community Based Teaching and Chair of Karl Stirner Arts Trail at Lafayette College

1) Tell us about your current role?

I currently serve as a lecturer and director of community based teaching and chair of the Karl Stirner Arts Trail at Lafayette College.

2) How do you feel your experiences at Bard helped prepare you for your career?

Bard's broad approach to education, the diverse student body and faculty, and professors working in their field presented paths and opportunities I had not considered nor dreamed of before my time there.
 
3) What advice would you give to current students about “life after Bard”?

Work hard for yourself. Consider every avenue. Embrace opportunities. Respect and consider others life experiences. Take advantage of your freedom at Bard to explore every possibility. Take classes outside of your comfort zone to challenge yourself.

4) What did you enjoy most about your years at Bard?

My professors, my peers and the amazing natural flora and fauna that surrounds our campus. The Tivoli Bay estuary of the Hudson River is an extraordinary resource. Bard has continued to reach out into the world providing vast opportunities for students and alumni beyond its boundaries. Everyone can and should take advantages of those resources.
 

• Watch a video about Jim discussing the use of nature in his art: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR3IeqTDM3w
• Visit Jim's website for more information about his artwork: http://jimtoia.com/

Tina Wack '15, Associate Managing Producer, DiD (Direct Image and Design)

1) Tell us about your company and your work.

I work at DiD, or Direct Image and Design, as an Associate Managing Producer in the Production department. My main responsibilities involve guiding my team throughout the lifecycle of a project, managing timelines and estimates, and I am also writing a blog series about the passions and interests of our employees entitled "DiD Undercover". DiD is an advertising agency that specializes in health and wellness brands, and we develop creative for both consumers and healthcare professionals. Working at an advertising agency has changed a lot since the days of Mad Men, but DiD encourages collaboration and openness to help combat the stressful bouts of deadlines during busy periods. I love learning about marketing and advertising, participating in all of our company events (such as Annual Volunteer Day, The Office Olympics, Craft Beer Swap etc), and being in an industry that technology is rapidly changing every day. It's exciting!

2) What was your path from graduation to landing this role at DiD?

The summer after I graduated I started an internship at Janssen Biotech, the pharmaceutical division of Johnson & Johnson, where I worked in the Promotional Review Operations department. Essentially, all promotional materials a pharma company creates must be reviewed to make sure it is legally and medically compliant with US laws before it can be submitted to the FDA for approval. There is a computer system that manages the submission process between the agency that creates the material (like the one I work in now) and the Pharma company reviewing the material. At Janssen, I assisted the team with the upkeep of this system. When I finished that, I began a temporary position at Seer Interactive, a digital marketing agency, where I did scholarship outreach to hundreds of universities asking to publish our clients' scholarship resources. Immediately after this position ended I began working at DiD.

3) How do you feel your experiences at Bard helped prepare you for your career?

Bard's learning environment challenged me to look at things critically, creatively, and to always ask questions. Before I was a writing major I studied psychology, and it's so funny how things you thought were lost can pop back up in your life, because the more I dive into the digital marketing space, the more I notice myself looking at data, user behavior, research, and this scientific way of understanding what people think and believe. Psychology classes prepared me a lot more for marketing than I ever expected. So if you ever think, "What I'm learning has nothing to do with my future", you may be surprised!

4) What advice would you give to current students about “life after Bard”?

Learn everything the CDO has to offer before you go! The knowledge I gained about cover letters, resumes, interviews, and professional resources has been invaluable to my job search experience since graduation. I would not be where I am today professionally without the CDO and everyone there who helped me throughout my undergraduate degree. With that in mind, post-Bard life can be intimidating and difficult, but apply to as many positions as you can, even if you don't know what they are exactly (which is exactly how I got my internship!).

5) What did you enjoy most about Bard?

I loved Ken Cooper emails, having classes with a maximum of 25 other students, the random intellectual discussions, and those startlingly beautiful Catskill mountains right outside my dorm. 
 

Maia Petrova ’17, Post-Production Intern, Third Party Films; Film Distribution Intern, Argot Pictures

1) Why did you decide to pursue these two internships?

Although film production studies at Bard are very extensive, seeing how I could use those skills in the work force was always a large question for me in the past years. Interning at two different film companies on a part-time basis helped me see the different perspectives of film production and the distribution business.

2) How did you find out about these opportunities?

I found out about Third Party Films by applying to internships through Indeed. They asked for a resume, and a cover letter was optional, but I provided both. They then asked for an interview through Skype, and within a couple of days, I got the offer to work for them.

The owner of Argot Pictures is actually a Bardian, and I met him through Bard Works! I reached out to him in the spring, asking if he was still interested in me interning for him, and he was more than happy for me to come work for him. No resume, no cover letter was needed. We did Skype once to talk about the responsibilities, but it was very casual. 

3) Tell us more about your two experiences. What are some of the things you worked on?

At Third Party Films, I was in charge of organizing and selecting video files for an upcoming documentary that they sold to HBO. I had to select which sections were interesting, what would fit a certain topic, or if something was dramatic. I also got a chance to work on several interview shoots and outdoor shoots with the cinematographer. Towards the end, I got to edit rough cuts for another project that they are developing.

At Argot Pictures, I did research on different forms of distribution (traditional vs. hybrid), requirements for North American and international film festivals, doing outreach to organizations potentially interested in the films we were distributing, and creating proposals for new distribution projects such as combining music performances and film screenings.

4) What advice would you give to your fellow Bardians about internships?

Employers value interns if they take their jobs seriously, no matter how small their task is. Being enthusiastic and responsible is key. If you do a small task well in the beginning, you might get to do a bigger, more fulfilling task later. Be early to work and get to know your employers on a more casual basis whenever possible. Let them know who you are as a person and figure out who they are!

P.S. At the end of your internship, make sure to add your employers on LinkedIn or even on Facebook. Keep a virtual connection going. It will help you out in the future to reach out to contacts and vice versa!

5) What do you enjoy most about Bard?

The academics. Honestly, while I was on two part-time internships this summer, I was missing learning something new everyday and having intellectual banter about different topics. 

Anna Henschel '09, MBA Candidate '18, UMass Amherst

1) Tell us about your experience in graduate school so far.

Attending business school has long been an idea, but I'm excited to actually be here. I'm loving the practical applications and our cohort; it feels good to be building on Bard lessons and applying hard skills to my more theory-based background.
 
2) What did you in between graduating from Bard and starting your MBA?

There was a short stint in food service, years of freelancing, and then 3 years with a national arts non-profit coordinating meetings and events. All the while managing Skin Horse Theater (@skinhorsethtr) with 4 fellow Bard alums!
 
3) How do you feel your experiences at Bard helped prepare you for your career?

Bard opened up so many opportunities for us to learn in non-traditional ways, such as being a TLS fellow and co-running the Old Gym with Evan Spigelman. That experience taught me as much as anything else! From reacting to the uncertain to working with people to advocating for what I cared about, Bard taught me a lot.

4) What advice would you give to current students about “life after Bard”?

Be open to what you aren't expecting. You have as much to learn from a few years in food service as you do interning for somewhere that seems more in your career path. Whatever you think you want to do now may change, let it happen!
 
5) What did you enjoy most about Bard?

The community, the people. Always.
 

Eva-Marie Quinones '17, Economics and Global and International Studies

Since coming to Bard, she has immersed herself in campus activism and politics. "Bard is one of the most politically active campuses in the nation, which is incredible," she says. "I absolutely love being in a place where people are helping in political campaigns or interning for political organizations, but also engaged in student protests and active dissent." Eva-Marie acts as a student voting rights advocate through the Election at Bard Initiative, serving as a Vote Everywhere Ambassador and team leader with the Andrew Goodman Foundation, which partners with Bard's Center for Civic Engagement. She has served on the Student Government since she was a first-year student.

How has Bard changed her life? "I used to be really shy," Eva-Marie explains, "and Bard forced me to come out of my shell. I’m more outgoing and more confident in who I am, but because I’m also more knowledgeable and more informed, I think that Bard has really made me the active citizen that I am today. I've had to push myself and I'm a stronger person for it."

Read more about Eva-Marie and her Bard experience at http://www.bard.edu/news/features/?id=167

Morgon Kanter '09, Senior Software Engineer, Google

1) Tell us about your position and what you enjoy most about it?

I’m part of an anti-malware project at Google that you all use. I always have an opportunity to take on something new and difficult. It's encouraged here.

2) What was your path from Bard to Google?

I went directly from Bard to a PhD program at Dartmouth College then directly to Google afterward.

3) How do you feel your experiences at Bard helped prepare you for your career?

The academics at Bard are rock-solid. The Bard Computer Science Program should prepare anyone for anything. Judging by the number of peers I have in good places the industry and at Google from Bard, I'm not alone in this opinion!
 
4) What advice would you give to current students about “life after Bard”?
 
Work on your career development now! Get yourself summer internships! No one is responsible for this but you, so *you* need to do the work to succeed here. It will make all the difference the moment you graduate.
 
5) What did you enjoy most about your years at Bard?

My classmates.


(Photo credit: David Toerge/Black Star)
 

Jess Zaccagnino '17, Communications Intern, Global Justice Center

1) Why did you decide to pursue this experience?
I decided to intern with Global Justice Center not only because I strongly support their human rights initiatives, but because I felt that working at a small internship site of less than twenty employees would allow me to do a substantial amount of meaningful work that amounted to more than photocopying and getting coffee. I was right: I had a fair amount of autonomy over writing projects and was able to make meaningful connections with my coworkers.

2) How did you find this opportunity and what was the process like to get it?
I applied to upwards of thirty internships, many of which I found by looking at BGIA’s (Bard Globalization and International Affairs Program) list of internship sites, with the hope that since they had hired Bard students in the past they would consider hiring another Bard student. If I didn’t find internship sites through the BGIA, I mostly found listings on NIC (Nationwide Internship Consortium) or Google.

3) Describe your internship and some of the most important things you learned.
As GJC’s Communications Intern, I was primarily responsible for writing blog posts, updating their website, and maintaining their social media. GJC is a very small organization of less than twenty employees, so I was able to do a lot of work that interns working at large NGOs wouldn’t, and I had a considerable amount of freedom over my projects. Although I was very experienced in the research aspect of NGOs, I knew very little about how to actually run an NGO from behind the scenes prior to working at GJC.

4) What advice would you give your peers about pursuing a similar experience while attending Bard?
I would advise students to apply to as many internships as possible, especially if you don’t feel like you have very strong connections in the industry. Remember that employers are also receiving tons of applications, so try to play up some interesting qualities that will set you apart from others in the applicant pool.

5) What do you enjoy most about Bard College?
I love the small classroom environment and the close relationships with professors that I’m able to form because of the class sizes. I also really appreciate the focus that Bard puts on critical thinking and writing skills — when writing professionally for my internship, I felt confident that I was producing quality articles that reflected well on my organization.

Patrick Kelly '17, Technical Consultant, MTX B2B Solutions

1) Why did you decide to pursue this experience?
This project-based job allowed me to gain experience coding in many languages and improve my project management skills.  It also allowed me to work from home, which was a plus.

2) How did you find this opportunity?
I was recommended for the job by Bard Alumnus Alexei Phillips, who is a cloud-computing developer at the company. I had one long interview with the CEO to get the job.

3) Describe your internship and some of the most important things you learned.
I worked closely with the New York State Energy Research Department (NYSERDA) to build their customer relationship management system in Salesforce.  Additionally, I worked on smaller technical projects when I had time.  One important thing I learned was how to deal with people in both the public and private sector.

4) What advice would you give your peers about pursuing an internship while attending Bard?
I would tell my peers that utilizing the Bard network is key to finding the best internships.

5) What do you enjoy most about Bard College?
I enjoy the academic passion shared by every student at Bard.
 

Ziyan Wang '19, Sophia University, Tokyo, Japanese Language Intensive

1) Why did you decide to pursue this experience in Japan?

I was born and raised in China, a country that has had a long history with Japan, so close to Japan geographically, and whose culture influenced Japanese culture in many ways. Yet, before this trip, I had never really got to know a lot about Japan and Japanese culture. At Bard, I made some friends who are from Japan. After talking with them about Japanese culture and Chinese culture from time to time, I have become really attracted by the similarities and the differences between the two cultures. Therefore, when I found out about this program, I was really excited and decided to go and explore.

2) How did you find out about this experience? What was the process like to get it?

I found this summer course from the Bard website and decided to give it a shot. The process was not complicated. There’s an online application on Sophia University’s website, and I just filled that out. After I learned that I got accepted, I prepared for applying for the visa and took a Japanese language ability test in order for them to decide the class level I would be attending (but the class level is rather flexible since one can easily change.) Everything went smoothly.

3) Tell us about the experience and some of the important things you learned?

I stayed in Tokyo for 6 weeks, and had classes for 4.5 hours a day from Monday to Friday. It was really intensive, but at the same time really rewarding for me. I got there unable to speak Japanese, but starting the classes really fast and being able to practice what I learned from classes immediately after in the real world indeed sped up my learning process and helped me really get to experience Japanese culture (more than just tourism and sightseeing but I actually lived there like I was a part of the city’s vibe). However, because I am not Japanese, I got to take an outsider’s view on this once strange but now fascinating culture. Besides, since I went there by myself, and before this trip I didn’t speak Japanese at all, I had to learn to “survive” in a foreign culture, and I did make more friends and become more independent than I was before. So I think I not only learned about Japanese culture, but also about myself.

4) What advice would you give your peers about pursuing something like this?

Look for opportunities and apply early. When you find something that is attractive to you, go for it! It’s always worth going out and see the world.

5) What do you enjoy most about Bard College?

I really enjoy that at Bard we have the freedom to do what we want to pursue and that we can always find people being supportive to us.

Brandon Acton-Bond '17, Director's Office Intern, The Brooklyn Museum

1) Tell us about your internships this summer.

This summer I worked on research projects for the Director, the Chief Curator and the Assistant Curator of American Art. They focused on arts education in New York, performance artists and funding, museum websites and e-commerce. I also helped the Development office during openings.

2) Why did you decide to pursue this experience?

Anne Pasternak, the Director of the museum gave a lecture here and I knew I wanted to work with her and learn about museums that engage in community education about today's important topics.

3) How did you find this opportunity and what was the process like to get it?

At the start of my Junior year I knew I wanted to have an internship for my final summer break. The Brooklyn Museum was my top choice because I have always admired its inclusivity and the collections they present. Luckily, the new director of the museum came up to Bard to lecture on he role at the museum. After Anne's lecture I had some questions about the role of museums today, so I waited to the end to ask them. Afterward, I got her email address from the professor that organized the lecture and made sure to reference the questions I asked in my email as I think it helps to put a face to a name.
 
4) What advice would you give your peers about pursuing a similar experience?

Your professors are your friends! They have incredible far-reaching connections and if you express your interests to them they will do their best to help you achieve them. It's important to know that an internship is not a one-way street, but that it's a collaboration. You make of it what you will so make sure to take advantage of the opportunity and ask as many questions as you can! Do not be afraid to be who you are too. This was my first professional experience where I asked to be referred to with they/them pronouns and had many fascinating conversations with my colleagues about the non-binary identity.

5) What do you enjoy most about Bard College?

The Bard community is an ever-evolving open conversation that I love to dip into. We learn how to be highly critical thinkers and I feel like most of us really take advantage of our excellent education and bring that with us into the world past Bard.

Katarina Ferrucci ‘17, Clinical Research Intern, Anderson Center for Autism

1) Why did you decide to pursue this experience?

Bard offers its psychology students a rich background in research. While the program thoroughly prepares us to be engaged in academia and science, many of us don’t have the opportunity to engage with the clinical populations that interest us. In fact, few undergraduate students have the chance to work with any clinical populations. For me, this internship at Anderson gave me the exposure that I wanted for research and clinical work with individuals with Autism (ASD). My primary interests are focused in developmental disorders and feeding and eating disorders, so the students at Anderson were a rather auspicious group for someone in my area of study.

2) How did you find our about this opportunity? What was it like to get it?

I had heard about the Anderson Center through Maureen, an adviser in the CDO, during my sophomore year. My interests at the time were in mental health law, so I decided to take a legal internship that summer. After working with ASD literature during my junior year, I realized that an internship with Anderson could be something that I may gain a lot of knowledge from. Initially, I had planned to work with the direct care staff in classrooms and residences. When I went ahead and contacted HR, we spoke about my career interests and what I hoped to gain from working with the Anderson Center. Cindy (HR) told me about their department of research and data management. She said that there weren’t any summer internships posted for Dr. Kash (Chief Clinical Officer), but that she would contact her for me if I this appealed to me. I ended up forwarding my resume, and two days later I was offered an internship in clinical research!

3) Tell us about your experience and some of the most important things you learned.

I was responsible for data on a study that sought to validate the English (American) translation of the San Martin Scale (SMS); a quality of life (QoL) measurement for individuals with significant intellectual and developmental disabilities. As opposed to most measurements, the SMS actually relies on information reported by a person who is close to the individual in question, rather than the individual. While I spent much time managing data and conducting statistical analyses for the study, I was, quite generously, allowed to perform my own case study on an individual who had been exhibiting extreme explosive and aggressive behaviors. The case study gave me the freedom to ask questions that others had not been able to, and to implement my own knowledge; allowing me make sense of the underlying issues that caused the behaviors in question. I was reminded that a fresh perspective may be the most useful tool that someone can have, and that, going forward, it is important for the psychology community to recognize that you can never invest too much time with one individual.

4) What advice would you give your peers about pursuing a similar experience while attending Bard?

If you are not finding opportunities that you want, you need to make them yourself, or find someone who is interested in investing in you either by creating an opportunity for you or by sharing their knowledge and experience to make you a more informed leader. If there is a job that requires some type of knowledge or skill that you don’t have yet, think about whether or not you would be able to learn it, and if you think that you can, apply. Lastly, choose the experiences that make you scared or the ones that make you nervous. Those are the ones that will teach you the most and condition you to confront fear and uncertainty with confidence.
 
5) What do you enjoy most about Bard?

I walked on to campus without the ability to write or speak like a college student. For a while I thought that if I was not capable of proficiency in either skill, then I would not be able to succeed. However, I realized that any college could teach someone how to write well or speak eloquently. I most enjoy the curriculum and environment that is fostered by the staff and students. Bard is unique in that it encourages us to ask questions, to think deeply, and to utilize passion. In doing so, each student is developing a set of the most essential and desirable skills that would be valuable in business and in society. Bard encourages its thinkers to be engineers in every aspect of life. No matter what your program, you acquire a keen ability to deconstruct issues and non-issues, to question everything, and to generate new answers and new ways of thought.
 

Yvonna Groom '13, Social Media Strategist, EGAMI Group

1) Tell us about what you do.
I’m a social media strategist—basically my job is to live and breathe social media for huge brands who want to reach the masses. I get to tweet, post, snap, capture and produce content for a living, so that’s a lot of fun. The best part though is the human aspect—part of my job is to manage social communities, I love when people share their stories with the brand and I get to respond letting them know that we support and hear them. People love knowing that there is a human on the other side of the keyboard and I like being that human for them!

2) What was your path from Bard to landing your career at EGAMI Group?
My path was pretty fluid—after realizing very quickly that all of my training and extra time spent prepping for law school wasn’t something I really wanted to do long term, I realized that creatively I need to be in a digital space, something more innovative vs traditional. At the time, I didn’t think I’d be running social accounts for major brands and working with other content creators, but I’ve always known that I’d be somewhere creative.

3) How do you feel your Bard education helped prepare you for your career? 
I actually started my career in Editorial and Public Relations (Fashion and Beauty), after interning over the summer and doing some remote jobs while on campus.  Quickly I realized my value was in digital and social media vs traditional PR and communications. My first big social media job was referred to me by a Bard Alum (@bardalumni). During my interview, the partner of the company was pretty excited to hear that I went to Bard; he cracked a few jokes about the "fawncy" art hipster vibes at Bard. Nonetheless, I felt there was a mutual level of respect between us because I went to Bard, and inherently he knew that I would be a great employee and hard worker.

4) What advice would you give to current students about “life after Bard”?
Prep as much as you can to insure that you have some sort of stability (i.e. try not to graduate unemployed!) but don’t stress out about things like career path and long term goals. Life after Bard, is just that… Life! So many things will get thrown your way, you may shift and pivot in ways you couldn’t imagine. What IS important, is that you can support yourself and understand your worth. I’ve always been a bit of a planner, but sometimes planning is not an option. You have to be ready to grind, hustle and cultivate the life YOU want. If you find yourself in a rut, snap out of it and get moving. You are in control of your own journey, don’t let your privilege get in the way of true success; nothing should be handed to you. You HAVE to put in the work!

5) What did you enjoy most about Bard?
My friends, dance team(s) and professors! I owe so much of my professional success to the philosophy department (shout out to Daniel Berthold and Garry Hagberg!) They pushed me to think outside of the box, to be comfortable in critical thinking—they never let me settle on what the consensus was at the time, there was always a push to keep thinking, to keep discovering, to find solutions based off of research and observation. The training that you get at Bard is unprecedented—I definitely appreciate it more now that I am off campus! I could have done without the monthly power outage though, that darn pole on 9G!
 

Akshita M. Bhanj Deo ‘15, Senior Account Executive, Edelman

1) Tell us about your current position and company. What do you enjoy most about it?

I work as a Senior Account Executive at the Edelman Mumbai office, the leading communications & marketing firm in the world.  My main responsibilities include, handling public relations for India’s oldest philanthropic organizations TATA Trusts’ – specifically on their education, health & nutrition, technology and rural livelihoods portfolio. I love the team and the people I work with also because it lets me conceptualize campaigns and communication strategies for international brands vying to enter the Asian market for the first time. It is an exciting time to work in Asia, especially Mumbai, the financial capital of India, in such a multi-cultural environment.

2) What was your path like from Bard to Edelman?

While I was at Bard, I took the vacation months to intern in as many diverse sectors and countries as possible, some of these internships included The Caravan Magazine and NDTV in India, The Kevin Rohan Memorial Eco-Foundation (KRMEF) in Nepal and PEN American Centre in New York City. For PEN American Centre I was on a  work-study visa, which really helped me to understand the media and publishing industry by strengthening existing connections and expanding my network of alumni, professionals and likeminded young adults, by working and studying a BGIA at the same time. This all culminated in me being offered a three-month internship at the International Rescue Committee before graduation.  The three-month internship turned into a full time job as an Associate for the global communications team for a 14 months.

As my visa got over, the PR company that IRC had hired referred me to their India office and I was then offered a job at their Mumbai office and hence landed up at the job I have currently.

3) How do you feel your Bard education helped prepare you for your career?

I definitely feel my confidence at being open to any job anywhere in the world has come from my education both in and out of classrooms at Bard. From the academic flexibility with my choice in subjects, (I initially wanted to be a theatre and dance major!) to the opportunities presented to me through extracurriculars, such as the International Student Organization, Bard Free Press, TLS Nepal Leprosy, BRAVE, La Voz all honed in me the leadership skills and the ability to work in a multi lingual and multi cultured environment.

4) What advice would you give to current students about “life after Bard”?

Start preparing for life ‘after’… much before. Nothing will get you a job like a connection in your already existing network.  Be interested and keep an open mind, you have so much more to offer the world than you know! Be curious, always.

5) What did you enjoy most about your years at Bard?

The people I met, a place means nothing without the people you share your memories with. Get to know as many people as you can and be genuine in the relationships you form, with students, staff and faculty. 
 

Dan Wilbur '09, Comedian, Published Author, and Freelance Comedy Writer

1) Tell us about what you do.

I am currently a comedian and freelance comedy writer. I am the former Ecards Editor at Someecards.com and am the author of two humor books: How Not to Read (Penguin, 2012) and Never Flirt With Puppy Killers (AM Universal, 2016). I also host a weekly stand-up comedy show at UCB East in NYC. Mostly, I say yes to whatever comes my way.

2) How did you successfully pursue a career as a comedian and freelance writer?

Before I graduated from Bard, I did two things: started a humor blog about video games, and got a day job at a comedy club in Manhattan. The humor blog got me a gig writing for two more established video game blogs and eventually led (in part) to getting noticed by someone on staff at the Onion News Network, and I became a contributor. The comedy club introduced me to nearly every working comedian in the city in some way or another. It taught me how to produce a show, and I got to perform with many of my heroes before leaving to work on other projects. I started a humor blog (betterbooktitles.com) about books the day after I quit the club, and that blog has been turned into 2 books! I worked at a beautiful indie bookstore in Brooklyn for awhile while waiting for my next gig. An editor at Someecards found the first book funny enough, and asked me to come work at their site, where I spent a few years as an editor. I left when I sold the second book, and currently write for various websites and on my own projects.

3) How did your Bard education help prepare you for your career?

Every class I took (even those outside my major) eventually influenced my writing in some way. I took Introduction to the Insects and everything I learned in that course made its way into a story I now tell on stage.

4) What advice would you give to current students about “life after Bard”?

Keep your creative friends close, and force yourself to constantly work on your own projects. It will pay off in the end more so than trying to climb a ladder that already exists. Also, work in a bookstore. The people are nice.

5) What do you miss most about Bard?

I miss being able to walk to Blithewood and bumping into 4 or 5 people I was hoping I could talk to. In the real world, you bump into people you wish you could get away from. I also enjoyed the Surrealist Circus, Spring Fling, all the theater. Any live performance that nurtured a sense of community is what I miss most.

Check out more from Dan:
http://danwilbur.com/
@DanWilbur
@dwilbs

Thea Piltzecker '11, Associate Producer (freelancer for PBS, NBC, Vice); Graduate Student, Columbia Journalism School ('17)

1) Tell us about what you're currently up to.

I'm currently a graduate student in the documentary program at Columbia Journalism School. Graduate school is hands-on, thoughtful training that helps me build on my work experience in productive and eye-opening ways. I've been working as a freelance associate producer in documentary media, and hope to be able to produce my own documentaries in the future!

2) What has you career path been since graduating from Bard?

After graduation, I worked at Al-Quds Bard College for a formative and illuminating year. I came back to NYC and found a job on a PBS show. I've been freelancing for PBS, NBC, and Vice ever since!

3) How do you feel your experiences at Bard helped prepare you for your career?

My Bard education gave me a broad base of knowledge to draw on, and the ability to make connections (across cultures, eras, and fields of study). On a daily basis, I use the good research skills and clear writing I learned in college.

4) What advice would you give to current students about “life after Bard”?

Think about how you want to spend the hours of your day-to-day life; I'm happiest with a varied (and mobile) day of interviewing, researching, and writing, but everyone's calculus is different. Make a financial plan for yourself so you're not living on lentils.

5) What did you enjoy most about your years at Bard?

Bard encouraged my multi-tasking, multifaceted tendencies - as a writer, a dancer, a musician, you name it. I spent 4 years as a TLS student, and loved every minute of my work. And of course, I made fabulous friends!
 

Jim Browne '86, Founder, Argot Pictures

1. Tell us about what you do.

I am the founder of Argot Pictures, an independent film distribution company based in New York. I love helping filmmakers get their films seen far and wide.

2. What has your career path been like since graduating from Bard?

I did many odd jobs over the years while working on various film projects. I've been running my own business and working as a festival programmer for international film festivals for the past 12 years.

3. How do you feel your experiences at Bard helped prepare you for your career?

Bard helped me to be a creative, out of the box thinker which has been invaluable when it comes to running a small, creative business.

4. What advice would you give to current students about “life after Bard”?

Don't be afraid to follow your dreams, but make sure to listen and absorb the advice of those with experience in the fields you are pursuing.

5. What did you enjoy most about your years at Bard?

The friendships I made with people that will last a lifetime.

Austin Lehn '17, EducationUSA Intern, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State

1) Why did you decide to pursue this internship?
I decided to pursue this experience because I wanted to learn what it is like working for the federal government in Washington D.C., specifically in the area of international education. I knew that from this internship I would learn more about the importance of cultural and educational diplomacy in the U.S. and how it is a valuable tool to our government.

2) How did you find this opportunity and what was the process like to get it?
I heard about this internship from the political studies faculty here at Bard, but was always warned that it was a very selective internship to actually attain. That it was! I had to fill out a long ‘common app’ like application and write a personal essay, while also attaining letters of recommendation. What was even more tedious than the application itself was what came after the interview and acceptance, the security clearance process.

3) Tell us about your experience the different things you learned?
I became quite efficient in Excel! Yes, I had to do a lot of typical ‘intern’ work, lots of data entry and copy making of course. Luckily with a State Department internship I was able to explore the roles of program officers in offices other than my own too. I went to grant proposal review panels, foreign officer country debriefings, and got to meet Secretary of State, John Kerry. The main thing that I was working on for my office was planning a major event, the EducationUSA Forum, which took place the beginning of August. International Student admissions recruiters came from all over the United States to hear from EducationUSA advisers working in our embassies, Fulbright commissions, and binational centers abroad. The event was a great success! I learned how important international students are in not only facilitating cultural diplomacy, but improving the lives of American students as well!

4) What advice would you give your peers about pursuing a similar internship?
The State Department is a VERY different place than Bard. Bard students looking to work in the government will have to adjust to the formal setting. For example, I had to wear a suit and tie everyday, even in the extreme heat and humidity! I would go in with an open mind and remember that even though bureaucracy seems like a very slow and somewhat frustrating process, the best way for young people to influence the government is to join it! More young people need to enter the government ASAP.

5) What do you enjoy most about Bard College?
Bard brings together a group of students with a sincere desire to positively affect the world around us. Whether these changes come through a piece of inspiring art, a scientific discovery, or an enlightening research project, Bard students are committed to making an impact on the world around them. I have had so many enlightening conversations with my peers and truly believe that many of my friends here at Bard will become leaders in their respective fields.
 

Aja Corliss '17, Language Counselor, My First American Village, Saut-Du-Loup, France

1) What made you decide to pursue an experience abroad?

I wanted the opportunity to teach English abroad and work with children from a different culture.
 
2) How did you find out about this opportunity and what was the process like to get it?

My friend had done this program before and recommended it. I applied online and had a phone interview a few weeks later.
 
3) Tell us about your experience and some of the most important things you learned.

I was an ESL teacher for French children aged 6-10, as well as an activities counselor, at a sleep-away English-Immersion camp in a very remote location in France. In addition to planning lessons, teaching courses, and running activities, I was also responsible for the well being and security of 30+ children each week. The program prohibited us from speaking French to the children, even though many of the kids only knew a few words of English. It was challenging because it was disorganized, very remote, and gave us few resources to work with. However, I learned so much about time efficiency, organization, adaptability, and teamwork. Working in a small team, I was pushed to communicate effectively and constructively. I learned how to remain optimistic despite many obstacles and how to be creative in teaching and working through a language barrier with little kids. I learned that I am more resilient and adaptable than I ever thought I was and am convinced now that I am capable at working any kind of job anywhere after this extremely challenging but rewarding experience.

4) What advice would you give your peers about pursuing a similar experience?

I would encourage people to travel/study/work abroad if they have the opportunity to do so. Being outside of your own culture changes your perspective and shows you a whole new side of yourself.

5) What do you enjoy most about Bard?

The incredible, brilliant people!

Yugon Kim '98, Founding Partner, IKD

1. Tell us about what you do.

I run a small architectural design firm, IKD, in Cambridge, MA, that is cross-disciplinary in nature: we have backgrounds in architecture, art, exhibition design, furniture and set design. From its inception, the intersection of architecture and art has been at the core of our design philosophy. We enjoy the freedom to work on a wide range of different projects and clients and every day we work on something new.

2. What was your career path like after Bard?

After Bard, I worked as a furniture maker while I continued my sculptural work. After a few years, I decided to go to Architecture school at Harvard's Graduate school of Design. I worked with a number of architects after graduating, most recently with the Renzo Piano Building Workshop in Genoa, Italy where I oversaw the design and construction of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum extension for a period of 6 years. At the completion of this project, I co-founded IKD with a classmate from Harvard and have taught at a number area schools, now currently at the Rhode Island School of Design.

3. How do you feel your experiences at Bard helped prepare you for your career?

Bard helped me identify my own voice by introducing me to a wide range of voices both teachers and fellow students

4. What advice would you give to current students about “life after Bard”?

Always take full advantage of an opportunity that comes your way no matter how small. You never know how one thing can lead to another or how things organically come together.

5. What did you enjoy most about your years at Bard?

The freedom to explore whatever I wanted...

6. Any final words for your fellow Bardians?

Just do what you love...

______________________

Check out more from Yugon and IKD on their website: http://i-k-design.com/#
@yugonkim
 

Milan Miller '18, Television Programming and Scheduling Intern, Viacom

1) Why did you decide to pursue this experience?
Firstly, I have ALWAYS wanted to be a member of the Viacom community, like ALWAYS. I applied when I got the chance and did not mind which of the Viacom networks I was placed in. I was placed at BET Networks. Working with this particular organization has been meaningful to me, because I wanted to examine how BET Networks serves as a form of cultural communication. I think it is important for myself as an African American female to intern at a company whose prime target audience is that of my culture. BET is also important to me, because it is one of the only entertainment outlets that showcases African Americans in a “positive” limelight. I know that when I turn on BET, I will see someone who looks like me doing something that is not "stereotypical". Being a part of this network has given me the opportunity to also see how a Black entertainment company is run.

2) How did you find this opportunity and what was the process like to get it?
I found out about this opportunity with BET Networks, a division of Viacom Inc., by remaining in constant contact with Tonia Salas, who is the Career Program Manager at Posse New Orleans. By remaining in constant contact with Tonia Salas, I was able to find out that the Posse Foundation is a multi-city partner with Viacom. Since New Orleans is not one of Viacom's internships locations, Tonia was able to contact the Posse New York Career Program Manager, who manages the relationship between Viacom Inc. and the Posse Foundation. While in New Orleans over my previous Winter Break, I had an office visit with Tonia at the Posse Office in New Orleans. There we went over the step-by-step process of both applying for the Viacom Internship on the Posse Portal and the Posse Summer Leadership Award. Once back on Bard's campus I continued to check the Posse Portal each day until the application for this internship went live. When I was finally ready to apply for the internship, I applied on the Posse Portal and then let both Tonia and the member of Bard's career office know. I remained in contact with Tonia throughout the application process, because of the fact that the Viacom internship is one of Posse's most competitive.

3) Describe your internship and some of the most important things you learned.
During my internship with BET Networks, a division of Viacom Inc., I interned with the Television Programming & Scheduling Department. The Programming Department analyzes, strategizes and executes the vision of BET Networks through three central functions: Planning & Strategy, which is the development of short-term and long-term planning strategies to shape the direction of the network for the next 3-5 years; Scheduling, which is the process of managing all show placement including original series, off-net series, movies, music programming and stunts in order to hit daily, weekly, monthly and annual revenue goals; and Acquisitions, which is evaluating and acquiring programming that meets overall corporate brand, ratings and scheduling objectives.
 
My primary job responsibilities have included: Supporting the Programming Department with any administrative needs that includes planning, scheduling and managing meetings, preparing and organizing documents, etc.; assisting the Department with monthly scheduling of BET and CENTRIC; developing weekly competitive analysis; and updating and tracking programming premieres/finales/specials on competitive networks. In addition to the above responsibilities, I have completed three major projects/presentations based on internship goals set by the myself and my supervisor at the beginning of the internship.
 
I have also gained additional skill sets such as becoming more PC and Mac literate, learning how to operate the Startrak Ratings System, and gaining more proficient knowledge of iWork Suite (Numbers, Pages, and Keynote) and Microsoft Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Publisher).

4) What advice would you give your peers about pursuing an internship while attending Bard?
I would tell my peers at Bard to literally just apply. Apply anywhere. Apply everywhere. I would also tell them to utilize LinkedIn and email as many people as possible. Lastly I would tell them to network and of course utilize the CDO. Listen, the only negative thing that could happen if you reach out is you getting ignored, rejected, or told no, so don’t be afraid.

5) What do you enjoy most about Bard College?
What I enjoy most about Bard is the safety of the “Bard Bubble”.
 

Jonathan Chavez '12, Director of College Persistence, Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation

1) Tell us about your organization and role, and what you enjoy most about what you do.

CHLDC is a community-based organization, so we have a range of free support services available to community residents. Working with our College Success Programs division, I work with my staff to support our students who are in college. We assist our students in navigating their campuses, troubleshooting issues that impede their success, and technical processes (i.e. completing FAFSA, class registration). I particularly enjoy reaching out to students to develop plans as they start their semesters to plan out ways their can enhance their successes to become the best versions of their self.
 
2) What was your career path like after graduating from Bard?

Utilizing my relationships with administrators at Bard, I left Bard with an opportunity to participate in a program exploring the field of higher education/student affairs for a week with a professional organization, NASPA. Upon finishing the program, I spent the remainder of my summer working with Bard's BEOP summer program while I worked on securing full-time employment. During my search, a fellow alumnus referred me to apply with CHLDC; they were seeking a college access counselor to help high school seniors apply to college. At first I was reluctant, but I decided to apply. Every year working with the CHLDC I worked with my supervisors to add new projects to my role, which eventually translated to promotions: College Access Counselor to Senior Access Counselor; Senior Access Counselor to College Persistence Counselor; College Persistence Counselor to Director of College Persistence.
 
3) How do you feel your experiences at Bard helped prepare you for your career?

My field of work is still developing, so many times I rely on my ability to anticipate problems and navigate solutions. Thankfully, my various research courses helped me develop a framework for problem-solving. In my counseling, I also use a lot of the techniques I learned from various leadership roles I had at Bard, as a peer counselor with ResLife and peer mentor with BEOP. I even use numerous skills from my work study experiences with the DOSA office and Change in Action workshops. DOSA helped me learn how to write professional emails and organize my calendar while Change in Action helped me develop tools to promote the leadership among my team members.

4)  What advice would you give to current students about “life after Bard”?

Bard was a tough environment at times. A lot of responsibilities are placed on students: they run some spaces and lead clubs/activities in addition to maintaining strong grades. By my senior year, I became so frustrated with senior project that I begged every day for graduation to arrive. Still, in retrospect I am so grateful for the preparation I received at Bard. In my role, I am constantly in positions where I have to learn processes or context very quickly and I have to decipher information to problem solve. My years at Bard helped me find comfort even when I was in uncomfortable situations.
 
5) What did you enjoy most about your years at Bard?

Transferring to Bard from community college, I really appreciated the opportunity to devote my time to being a student among other students. Living on campus is a subtle privilege that is oftentimes taken for granted, but it allowed me to cultivate many valuable relationships that I utilize to this day. When you hear about networking, keep in mind that every relationship is a form of networking; the process is easier than people tend to think and a friend or mentor might be your link to possible job opportunity.
 

Emma Patsey '19, Dry Land Farming and Seed Saving Intern, Laughing Wolf Farm

1) Tell us about your experience.
 
During my time on Laughing Wolf Farm I was living in a VW-8 Camper Van on site working with two other extraordinary individuals that I would now consider lifelong friends. Together, we worked about 8-10 hours a day preparing infrastructure, crop planning, planting, maintaining and harvesting to provide our CSA, co-op collective, wholesale accounts and local community with a variety of fresh, organic vegetables. I personally managed the Laughing Wolf's farm stand in various farmers markets in the area. The farm grew several varieties of indigenous corn, beans and squash to contribute to the Rocky Mountain Seed Alliance working toward preserving an abundant, resilient diverse seed stock. On my time off I had the opportunity to live on the Pueblo Reservation in Taos, New Mexico in the home of my fellow intern as well as visit various National Parks in the four corners area including Mesa Verde, Arches National Park, Canyon Land National Park and Zion National Park.
 
2) Why did you decide to pursue this type of opportunity?
 
Growing up on a homestead, I have always had a love for growing food. The more I learn about the role agriculture and food plays in the sustainability, health and community development in the world, the more I hope to run an organic farm or related endeavor in the future!

3) How did you come across this internship and what was it like to get it?
 
After joining various groups within the organic farming community that presents intern, apprentice, Americorps and various other job opportunities I came across Laughing Wolf's internship description. After summiting my application to various farms across the country and various over the phone interviews with my wonderful boss and now mentor Lee-Ann, in a leap of faith, I decided to get my butt out to Colorado!
 
4) What advice would you give your peers about pursuing a similar experience?

Don't let lack of experience or solo travel intimidate you! You will come to learn so much about your interest and form new ones, meet new people you will form lasting relationships with and get to know yourself a little better along the way!

5. What do you enjoy most about Bard?

The Bard Farm, of course! As well the abundance of individuals who truly care about where their food comes from and how it affects the local food system!

Kristy Maier '15, Production Associate, Princeton Architectural Press

1) Tell us about your current role. What do you enjoy most about it?
I work for an architecture and design publisher. As the Production Associate, I work on a number of tasks which vary from preparing book files for reprint, maintaining the production archive, or seeking out manufacturers for new products in our stationery line. I enjoy the collaborative atmosphere that comes with working for a smaller press. Sharing the same space with editorial and sales, I have the opportunity to learn about the entire journey a book takes before and after publication.

2) What was your path like from Bard to Princeton Architectural Press?
I landed this job nearly a year after graduating. The summer after graduation, I worked in the Bard Stevenson Library. Next, I spent a few weeks in the city at the Strand Bookstore, and then for six months I worked as a Caption Editor transcribing captions for the deaf and hard of hearing. It was an unpredictable and difficult journey, but everywhere I went I acquired different skills that have proven useful at my current job.

3) How do you feel your Bard education helped prepare you for your career?
Bard prepared me to adapt to new situations, to learn new things quickly, and to structure myself. At Bard, you are given a certain amount of structure and support in your classes, but it is ultimately up to you to make the most of readings, assignments, and discussions. The independence and time-management skills I acquired are invaluable.

4) What advice would you give to current students about “life after Bard”?
Life after Bard, or just life after college, is going be different for everyone. You might find your dream job right away. You might work retail for a few years. If you can afford it, you might take a year off. Maybe you'll go to grad school, or maybe you'll discover new passions that had nothing to do with your degree. Whatever you do, you can't compare yourself to other people. Everyone's path is unique. I'm convinced that there is no right or wrong way.

5) What did you enjoy most about your years at Bard?
It is cliché, but what I enjoyed the most is the friends I made. I met such intelligent, funny, and kind hearted people. My favorite memories are the lazy afternoons we spent walking around campus. After graduating, I chose to not move back home, which proved to be a very challenging and defining choice. I don't think I could have made it on my own without the support of the friends I made at Bard.
 

Marley Alford '17, AMGEN-Scholars Program, Harvard University

1) Tell us about your experience and some of the most important things you learned.

The AMGEN Scholars Program was a great experience, it focused just as much on professional development as on research.  We had several events per week that ranged in topics from how to write a good graduate school letter to the art of writing the perfect paper title, as well as panels with admissions faculty, grad school fairs, and a speed-networking session where we got to talk to biotech industry professionals.  Compared to other summer research programs I have done, I ended up spending much less time doing research.  Nevertheless, my research project was really fun and challenging.  I had my own desk in the lab and a fleet of 10 mini robots that I programmed.

2) Why did you decide to pursue this experience?

As a computer scientist I have mostly worked on projects that are virtual and I wanted some more experience working with robots to see if that was something I would be interested in doing as a career.  I also wanted to see what it would be like to study at a large research-oriented institution.

3) How did you find this opportunity?

Last November I attended ABRCMS, the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students, and I was visiting different booths at the career fair when someone told me about the AMGEN Scholars Program.

4) What advice would you give your peers about pursuing a similar experience?

Start applying early!  And if you know that you’d like to apply to a certain program, contact your recommenders early as well.  Highlight your strengths in your application essay(s) as well as the strengths of the institution you are applying to, even when that is not in the prompt.

5) What do you enjoy most about Bard?

I love the interdisciplinary environment at Bard.  No matter where I go for the summer I’m always glad that I can come back to an institution where intellectual inquiry is the educational priority and all my friends come from different areas of study.
 

Winta Mehari '17, Development & Outreach Intern, Human Rights Watch

1) Why did you decide to pursue this particular internship?
I have a strong interest in international human rights. I also admire the work and advocacy of Human Rights Watch (HRW).

2) How did you find this opportunity and what was the process like to get it?
This past spring I participated in the Bard Globalization and International Affairs (BGIA) program. After I applied to the program and was accepted, I began to search for internships and found an interest in Human Rights Watch. I worked closely with Rachel Meyer and Ally Smith, who both helped me with resumes, cover letters and much more. The process was nerve-wracking because I really wanted the internship and HRW is competitive. When I received the email that I had been selected to move forward as an intern, I was ecstatic.

3) Tell us about the actual internship.
I spent nearly five months with Human Rights Watch as a Development and Outreach Intern, where I was researching for development and outreach projects such as the New York State prison reform, coordinating donor communication, planning New York outreach events, tracking donations, drafting acknowledgement letters, and assisted with coordinating the 2016 New York Film Festival Benefit. I simultaneously balanced a 16-credit semester taking courses concerning international affairs, non-state actors and global public health. I learned the importance of balance, time management, and perseverance.

4) What advice would you give your peers about pursuing a similar experience while attending Bard?
I would encourage all Bard students interested in interning or experiencing a new setting to apply for BGIA. It is important to step outside of your comfort zone and what better way than moving to New York City?

5) What do you enjoy most about Bard College?
BGIA has definitely been the highlight of my undergraduate career. I also enjoyed the time I spent my first year learning Arabic and exploring my passion for languages.
 

Tina Marie Doran ‘10, Medical Person in Charge / Mate / Dive Instructor, Sea | Mester

1) Tell us about your current role.

I'm a teacher and mate aboard a 112ft sail training schooner that offers semester-abroad programs to undergraduate students. Up to 31 students and staff live on the boat together for 90 days at a time; every two years the ship circumnavigates the globe. I'm the ship's head medic. I also help students plan meals & buy groceries (they do all the cooking!), teach scuba diving, and teach one of the four accredited classes taught each semester: Student Leadership Studies. The thing I love the most about my job is the sense of community fostered by shipboard life. It's an amazing thing, to watch 30 people go from strangers to family over the course of 90 days -- all while having the adventure of a lifetime.
 
2) What lead you from Bard to working for Sea | Mester?

After I left Bard I moved first to Spain then to Honduras to get more involved with marine science and scuba diving. I lived in Honduras for two years teaching scuba before coming back to the states for grad school (NYU: MA in Environmental Conservation Education). In the mean time I picked up employment with GXG's high school branch, ActionQuest, which operates in the British Virgin Islands each summer. After I got my degree they were interested in moving me up to the big boats, and I jumped at the opportunity.

3) How do did your Bard experience help prepare you for your career?

Since I'm so involved in the marine environment, I use what I learned in my major daily -- but even if I hadn't, it wouldn't matter: Bard helped shape me into who I am today. Because of Bard I think more critically, debate civilly, and write with facility -- all hard skills that Bard drills into us, no matter what our major. I also learned from the tremendous example of my professors and advisers (especially Mark Lindeman!) about how to mentor my own students, how to inspire them to learn, how to facilitate excellent class discussions -- and more. I wouldn't trade my time in Annandale for anything.

4) What advice would you give to current students about “life after Bard”?

Those first few years are going to be hard. Your head and heart will be full of ideas, but breaking into the workforce can be challenging -- and that's not even getting into the nitty gritty details of adult life outside the Bard bubble. You'll have at least one "what am I doing with my life?!" crisis. You'll push through it. And a piece of advice my Captain once gave me that I'll pass along to you: "never set foot on a deck you're afraid to step off of." In other words: never be so hard up for work that you compromise who you are and what you stand for. There are plenty of other ways to pay off your tremendous student loan debt that don't involve working for someone who takes advantage of you -- and you will be able to find them. Bard grads are some of the most intelligent, resourceful, and outside-the-box people I know. You will find your niche. I promise.

5) What did you enjoy most about your years at Bard?

The lifelong friendships, the amazing faculty, walks out to Cruger Island, getting to (and being encouraged to!) take biology, russian literature, Spanish, and music lessons all at the same time, the curly fries at DTR, original Bard band concerts during Spring Fling, overhearing Klein conversations like "if there were a theme park based on the Western philosophical tradition, what kind of rollercoaster would Nietzche be?" -- and much, much more.