KRISTEN CARTER
Junior, Hofstra University
Major: Television Production
Minor: Dance

Future career goals: Kristen, who has been tutoring others since the age of 14, plans to combine her two main interests—education and entertainment. “I hope to write, produce and direct my own television show loosely based on my adolescence. I also plan to open my own tutoring/mentoring program in my hometown of Newark, New Jersey. The program, named P.L.A.Y. (People Leading for the Achievement of Youth), will specialize in Math Skills, Reading Comprehension and Oral Communication. As P.L.A.Y. grows, I would like to add journalism, short film production and drama to the curriculum.”

Biggest role models: “In my personal life, my mother. She required that I never settle for mediocrity. She also has elegantly balanced being an encouraging friend and disciplinarian. My biggest role model in the field of communications is Oprah Winfrey. Someday, I’m determined to be a guest on her television show. (Oprah, hopefully you’re reading this!)”

Dream internship: “Working at Warner Brothers on a family show or DreamWorks Entertainment on a family film. I don’t have a specific job in mind, as long as I’m actively involved in the production process.”

Greatest challenges: Kristen left home at age 12 to attend boarding school. “Though I have gained a lot from my experience at Groton, I had to face and overcome many obstacles. I suffered from culture shock, low self-esteem, depression and the usual effects of puberty. But I was able to persevere and that has made me more determined to succeed and make my dreams come true. Nothing worth having comes without sacrifice, and I have been blessed by my challenges because I am a stronger individual.”

Biggest accomplishments: “Never allowing anyone to kill my aggressive spirit. I always fight for what I want and I have been blessed to win this NYWICI Foundation scholarship and also the national first-place prize from Goldman Sachs Institute for Entrepreneurial Thinking—all in the span of 10 months. God is truly shining upon me.”

Passionate about: Working with children. “I am a role model in my community so I realize that everything I do ultimately will end up influencing at least one young person. So I encourage them to dream big.”

In 10 years: “More than likely I will still be working on the ideas for my television show (since that is my ultimate goal). In the interim, I really want to combine by love for music and television, possibly as a music video director.”

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CADY JOHNSON
Freshman, SUNY Plattsburgh
Major: Communications

Future career goals: A career in broadcasting. “Eventually I want to have my own morning show or some kind of entertainment show. I want to become the next Katie Couric because she touches so many people’s lives on a daily basis.”

Biggest role models: “My parents. They are truly my rocks and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them by my side every step of the way. Also, I had a favorite teacher who became my mentor. Not only was she my teacher but she was also my coach for all three sports that I played throughout high school. She was also my best friend.”

Dream internship: “It would definitely be sitting next to Katie Couric and co-anchoring the Today show!”

Greatest challenges: “I have a learning disability that stems from a memory problem. This made various academic tasks difficult throughout high school because I always had to put forth twice as much time and effort as my friends into my school work to maintain good grades.”

Biggest accomplishments: “Graduating from high school with honors and receiving this prestigious NYWICI Foundation scholarship. I can’t say think you enough!”

In 10 years: “I hope to be working my way up the corporate ladder to become the next Katie Couric, happily married with kids and living life to the fullest!”

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JOANIKA LEBLANC
Freshman, Loyola University in New Orleans
Major: Communications

Future career goals: “I’m not exactly sure what career I will go into, but I’m very interested in advertising, television production and writing.”

Biggest role models: “My best friend Sharon Bookbinder. I love her calm nature ease of life and sense of humor. Also, my creative writing teacher, Mrs. Lustbader, who was my mentor. She showed me that you could be there for someone without expecting something in return, and I loved her sense of humor as well.”

Dream internship: “Working at a television station or an advertising agency for the great experience.”

Greatest challenge: “My childhood.”

Biggest accomplishment: “Getting to the place I am now.”

In 10 years: “I see myself with less on my shoulders, more driven and I’ll know myself better. Hopefully, I will get my dream job.”

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MIRM KRIEGEL
Graduate Student, Master’s Degree in Strategic
Communications, Columbia University

Future career goals: “I would love to working in social/cause-related marketing, cause branding or PR for social issues and causes.”

Biggest role models: “My mom, for defying her generation and carving out a new career path as a lawyer and entering law school at age 50. Also, my senior colleagues at work, for their passion and smarts, and who have also served as unofficial mentors.”

Dream job: “Working as a cause-branding maven who creates programs that raise awareness around relevant social issues while enhancing corporate images. Or, as a speechwriter for a (winning) political candidate around critical social issues (e.g., economy, international policy, hunger/homelessness, anti-gun). And my uber fantasy job (outside the voice of reality) is being a cartoon voice.”

Greatest challenges: “I’ve been fairly lucky, but growing up Jewish in the South, while attending an Episcopalian high school, was quite a challenge at times!”

Biggest accomplishments: “I lobbied for funding and created an academic institute as a program director for high-achieving college students to travel to the Middle East and learn about contemporary Mid-Eastern affairs.”

In 10 years: “I would love to be owning rather than renting. Also, I see myself juggling the balance of raising a family and having a strong career.”

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GENEVIEVE BYRD
Junior, Rutgers University
Major: English with a concentration in Communications.
Minor: Film Studies

Future career goals: “My plan is to own a communications firm consisting of many different businesses. I would like to publish a hip funky magazine for Christians in the 21-40 year-old demographic. I also want to write some books about my life, do some motivational speaking—showing women how they can be healed from the hurts and pains of the past and become the person they dream of—and write and produce wholesome television shows that have a message to them. Finally I would like to have a talk show focused on women that motivates and uplifts their mind, body and soul. I see the power that communication and the media have. I also see the fact that a lot of women—young and old—have lost hope. I want to inspire them and help them to grow and live the lives they have dreamed of.”

Biggest role model: “Oprah Winfrey. I think she is amazing! She came from meager beginnings and now look at her! She also has such a compassionate, giving spirit.”

Dream internship: Working for Essence magazine or interning at The View or 20/20.

Greatest challenges: “Having my family split up, and not knowing where my mother, father and brother are while having to concentrate on school. Also being 10 years old and having to go to school and raise my younger brother and sister because my mother was never with us.”

Biggest accomplishments: “Graduating from high school and moving to the Philadelphia area on her own to go to school. It was scary at first coming from safe beautiful Saratoga Springs to go to school in a metro area. Another accomplishment is supporting myself down here, working full time and going to school.”

In 10 years: “I will be well on my way to achieving all my dreams. I know I will have touched many women throughout the world. I will have helped them heal, help them forget the pains of the past, help them move forward and accomplish their dreams. I will be prosperous, successful and I will have changed the world. I know it sounds clique, but I believe that I have this great calling. It’s what I strive to become. There are so many people that need to hear what I have to say. I can’t forget about them.”

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DENISE MARTINEZ
Freshman, New York University
Major: Television Broadcasting
Minor: Languages

Future career goals: “I plan to pursue a career as a television broadcaster, either as a newscaster, a reporter or as the host of an entertainment program. My Hispanic heritage is one of the most important aspects in my life. I hope to join an American television network to demonstrate the ability of the Hispanic community to progress and thus make Hispanics appreciate their heritage and be proud of what they are. I would like to show the good things that my Hispanic community has to offer—its culture, values and essence and to disprove the erroneous stereotype people have of Hispanics. Finally, I want to inspire my people to further their education by starting scholarship programs.”

Biggest role model: “My mother. She sacrificed by coming to America by herself in order to improve our economic condition. She showed me the importance of hard work. I realized that perseverance and the desire to succeed was all that was required to advance in this society. I will always be grateful to my mom. Had it not been for her, I would not be here. Her courage and her ability to overcome adversity have been my inspiration.”

Dream internship/job: “To work at any of the major television networks here in New York in order to gain experience, and in the future have the opportunity as a full-time job not only to be the host or the reporter of one of their shows but actually direct my own TV show.”

Greatest challenges: “Four years ago, when my family’s difficult economic situation in Ecuador led to our immigration to the United States. I was 14. It was a struggle for everyone, especially since none of us were fluent in English. At first, I cried every night. I was frustrated because I could not always understand what the teachers were explaining in class. I was not able to earn the grades I was accustomed to getting. I felt desperate and dissatisfied with my own efforts. My parents said to me that if I was not going to be able to endure living here, I would be sent back to Ecuador to live with my grandmother. I realized that I couldn’t disappoint my parents and forced myself to work hard to learn the language and assimilate myself to the American culture.”

Biggest achievements: “Being named valedictorian twice—in junior high school in Ecuador and also in high school in New York. I worked hard and persisted. I broke the language barrier only three years after my arrival in the U.S. Also, being listed in the 2004 edition of Who’s Who Among High School Students, being on the 2004 National Honor Roll, receiving received more than 10 awards on Awards Night and getting enough money in scholarships to pay 90% of my tuition of a private university.”

In 10 years: “I will be 28 years old, and by then I hope to have finished my studies and have a stable job at a renowned television station where I will have my own TV show. By that time, I may also be making plans to get married.”

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SHERICE HUGHEY
Junior, New York University
Major: Communications Studies

Future career plans: “As an aspiring songwriter and poet, I hope to earn my doctorate and start my own music, media and publishing company. The focus of my company will be to provide educational tools to assist economically disadvantages school districts to enhance classroom learning.”

Biggest role models: M. Demory, I. Vanzant, I. Cordero, Madam C.J. Walker, Oprah Winfrey and my mother.

Dream internship/job: “Working at a major record label doing artist development, studio production assignments or A&R. After graduation, my dream job is to be managing my own business. However if things do not work out as I plan, I would like to work as a motivational speaker.”

Greatest challenges: “A few months back my son was arrested and spent a week in jail. This was one of my worst nightmares. After we gathered up the bail money, he was released and has been out of trouble since. He is going to college and doing well. However, getting him to take school more seriously has been very stressful at times, because he still has trouble understanding the importance of doing his best.”

Biggest accomplishments: “Raising my son and completing my associate’s degree.”

In 10 years: “I will have completed my doctorate and my son will be a successful psychologist and married to his longtime girlfriend. I will be living on my own terms, working for myself and will have written several books engagements. I’ll be very happy, and maybe I’ll even be a grandmother.”

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MEREDITH LEVIN
Freshman, New York University
Majors: Journalism and Comparative Literature

Future career plans: “I hope to be an editor for a publishing company and/or a music journalist. I would like to combine my passion for classic rock and with my love of writing.”

Biggest role models: “My mother, who not only taught how to be a woman in a man’s world but also showed me that talent is nothing without determination, perseverance and integrity. My mentor for my four years of high school up to the present day is my Latin teacher, Mr. Ambrosino. He has been a teacher, guide, confidante and friend through every obstacle and achievement, and any time I have an academic question or a musing about life, he is the one with whom I know I can laugh, talk or cry and on whom I can rely for anything.”

Dream internship/job: “Working at Rolling Stone magazine as an assistant to a concert reviewer or artist interviewer, someone who would be willing to show me the ropes and give me first-hand experience in the profession. After graduation, I would like to move to Europe and do some freelance editing, before securing a full-time job as a reporter for Rolling Stone in New York City.”

Great challenges: “Learning to conquer my inhibitions and fears, and to set out to achieve whatever dreams I have. Fear of failure has always been in the back of my mind, but I have learned to believe in myself and my abilities, to give everything my best effort and to accept failure when I have done all I can. I have come to realize that success is not always guaranteed and that you can never taste it without knowing some failure as well.”

Biggest accomplishments: “Being accepted into the Scholars’ Program at the university of my choice and being awarded the NYWICI Foundation scholarship. This scholarship not only made it possible for me to attend NYU, but also gave me the opportunity to meet some of the most brilliant women in the communications and to form relationships with my role models.”

In 10 years: “I hope to be settled into a writing career, with a job that is both fulfilling and fun. But I also hope that I will not have reached my peak. If at age 28, I have no room for improvement, then I will certainly be living a very dull life, a monotonous existence without hope for the future.”

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LAUREN GOULD
Junior, University of Maryland in College Park
Major: Broadcast Journalism

Future career goals: “Ever since I was in second grade, I have been fascinated with news and television. News magazines have always sparked my interest and in the future I hope to work within the field of broadcast journalism as an investigative reporter, uncovering the stories of people who are unheard or overlooked.”

Biggest role model: “My mother. She runs a successful jewelry company as well as maintaining a terrific marriage and home life.”

Dream internship/job: “I would love to get an internship at a big media company in Manhattan. After graduation, I’d like to work at a public relations firm or one of the big TV networks as a producer or writer.”

Biggest accomplishments: “Aside from winning the NYWICI Foundation scholarship, my greatest accomplishment thus far was earning a spot to compete on the national level in track and field twice during my high school years.”

In 10 years: “I hope to be living in Manhattan and working at a very reputable company. In addition, I hope that in the future I can make an important contribution to my chosen profession, broadcast journalism.”

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NELLIE HSU
Second-Year MBA Student, Harvard Business School
Focusing on marketing

Future career goals: “I’m passionate about marketing. I love bringing brands and consumers together.”

Biggest role model: “Ann Fudge (CEO of Young & Rubicam). She chose to do things her way, in her own time, and succeeded.”

Dream job: “A position that would mix marketing with creativity and business, and allow me to improve people’s lives in some way.”

Greatest challenges: “Growing up the only Asian-American in a small, provincial town in Florida, I faced many challenges. In high school, a local Rotarian, an African-American man named Jim Guines, befriended me. He became a mentor and helped me establish an interact club (service-based organization) in my high school. He has been a fervent supporter of mine through thick and thin and a second father to me.”

Biggest accomplishments: “In 2001, I founded Aspire, a career development program for Asian-American high school and college girls. It has been an extremely fulfilling and exciting part of my life. Also, I learned how to speak several languages, including Taiwanese, Mandarin, Japanese, and a bit of Spanish and French.”

In 10 years: “I envision a life that’s filled with laughter and (hopefully!) a healthy balance between family life and work.”