CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2020!

CAREER | EDUCATION

TODAY'S SPEAKERS

DIEGO GOMEZ

A young millennial on what it's like to thrive through your 20s, while building his own legacy and making his immigrant parents proud. Diego Gomez is a 25-year-old Brooklyn Law School student graduating this year. Growing up in New York as a son of Colombian immigrants, Diego knew the only way to show his gratitude was by making his parents proud. His early experiences in the service industries of technology and fashion are what sparked his interest in Intellectual Property, Business and Corporate Law. He was accepted to Brooklyn Law School shortly after receiving his first degree from Fordham University in 2016. During his time at BLS he accomplished a lot while still being able to maintain an exciting social life; he interned at Estee Lauder Companies and LVMH. As part of the Latin American Law Student Association, he volunteered along with a small group of BLS students to go to Puerto Rico and provide legal assistance to those affected by hurricane Maria in 2018. He went on to be elected as President of the BLS Student Bar Association in 2019. Although heartbroken by the current situation and not being able to walk the stage, he is looking forward to what the second half of his 20’s will bring.

JENNIFER MILLER PETERS

Career and internship counselor Jennifer Miller Peters, who has advised students for twenty years and graduated herself in a recession, talks about the hiring challenges this year's graduating class will face while entering the workforce, and offers realistic advice on how to keep your chin up. Jennifer Miller Peters has worked for twenty years as a career and internship counselor at the Fashion Institute of Technology. As an advisor, she counsels students and alumni on how to apply for jobs and accomplish professional goals in their careers. She has also co-authored a career planning textbook, Creating Career Success: A Flexible Plan for the World of Work, to guide students through the workforce, from layoffs to a career-changing game of musical chairs. While advising students is her full-time job, she's also a "self-professed foodie" and has a love for food.

MARJORIE CRUM

A professor of design and AIGA member, Marjorie Crum explains her career path starting from a foreshadowing in high school to college selection and career choices after graduation. Coming from a professor’s perspective, Marjorie gives empathetic advice on how to find a passion and how you may end up in a completely different path than you originally thought.

Marjorie Crum is currently an Associate Professor of Design at Monroe Community College in Rochester, NY and a member of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA). Born in Ohio, Marjorie didn’t have any idea she was going to end up in graphic design. Now, she has more than 35 years of experience in the industry with lots of knowledge. Marjorie started with an affinity towards photography and newspapers which blossomed into her remarkable graphic design career. Her work has been put up on display in exhibits, and has learned additional skills in business management, networking, and marketing from her experience. She later started teaching at MCC to pass on her knowledge to other budding artists and joined AIGA, an elite networking site for those who desire to make connections in the design world.

LEYBIS DE JESUS

Healthcare industry professional, Leybis De Jesus, gives advice on getting where you want to be. In her talk, she speaks about her journey and how your first job after college, even if not in your field, is a part of your journey to success.

Leybis De Jesus is the Director of Finance for the Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation Medicine at Montefiore Health System. She was born in the Dominican Republic and migrated to Washington Heights in New York City at the age of 16. She attended Lehman College and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer and Management. Her first job in healthcare after college was in 2005 when she started at Montefiore Medical Center as a Senior Account Representative. Not at all what she expected to be her first job but with time and building an impressive track record, Leybis started to grow into managerial positions. In 2009, she decided to go back to school for a Master’s degree in Business Administration. She was a new mom to a newborn while taking online classes and working. In 2017, Leybis made a switch back to Montefiore, where it all started, as a Financial Service Administrator where in less than two years she was promoted to her current role. She now manages a $53 million budget for two departments and is currently working towards her fellowship at American College of Healthcare Executives and Healthcare Leaders of New York. She can attest that with time and motivation you can get to where you want to be and beyond.

CHRISTEL MENDEZ

Aerotek's Regional Lead Manager in the tri-state area shares tips and tricks to keep in mind when entering the job market in the middle of a world crisis. From the point of view of a recruiter, Christel shares with us how to set us our LinkedIn to successfully land a position, how to make job-searching your full-time job, etc. 
Christel Mendez, also known as MySistersCurls on Instagram, is a recruiter lead manager for Aerotek in the tri-state area. Christel is also a natural hair enthusiast and uses her Instagram page to unite curls in corporate America. She was born in The Bronx, New York but raised in Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic where she lived for approximately 11 years. After completing middle school and high school in the Dominican Republic, Christel moved back to the United States and went on to complete her bachelor degree at St. Bonaventure University in Allegany, New York. After working many temporary positions post-graduation in the spring of 2013, Christel became the Lead Recruiter at Aerotek in July 2014, and has only escalated since.