Networking Blog Post: Supporting Aspiring Photographers – A Recap of the Camera Equipment Donation Drive

On February 17, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, photography lovers met up at the ICP headquarters on 79 Essex Street, New York, NY. Why? They gathered to help out the next wave of photographers by giving away their old camera gear. It wasn’t just about collecting equipment; it showed the spirit of community and mentorship. People brought in their beloved cameras, lenses, flashes, and more, all to help out budding photographers.

In the Q&A sessions, people were involved, asking experts for advice and sharing their thoughts. In smaller group talks, attendees got to know each other better, making personal connections and feeling like part of a community. It was heartwarming to see photographers happily giving away their gear, showing a real sense of generosity and togetherness at the event.

The event had some important points to remember. Firstly, the community made a big difference by giving gear that’ll help ICP students with their learning. They only took gear that worked well and met high standards, making sure students had the best tools. Extra stuff will be sold to the community, and the money will go back to help students get more gear. It’s a cycle of giving that keeps helping out.

Right after the event, I got a nice email from the ICP team, thanking everyone for helping out young photographers. At the event, I learned about the Biodiversity Group, a group that’s all about protecting wildlife. They ask for donations of photo and field gear to help with conservation efforts. They’re focused on a bigger picture of photography, beyond just making art.

Blog Post 4:Gaining Insight and Experience at CUNY LEADS: A Creative Journey

During my month at CUNY LEADS, I had the chance to delve deeper into design, completing projects closely related to my field and perfecting the techniques I’ve acquired. This job is an excellent opportunity to work with the project team, on-site or remotely, and have that chance to be creative every day to develop this meaningful program. On on-site days, I wake up early, stuff my backpack with my laptop, notebook, and flash drive, prepare lunch, and then take a bus and train to the office. I sign in, meet Linda, discuss the day’s projects, and then sit at my desk to start the work. I’m currently working on an exciting task: creating a brand new brochure for the CUNY LEADS program happening in every college that gives these services. However, this is one of many challenges, my only challenge while dealing with a non-profit. This additional work, together with small projects requiring creativity and practicality, e.g., flyer design, makes my life even more interesting, as I always have to ensure that the information I provide is at the same time accessible and exciting.

Working at home means having online meetings with Linda, during which we can discuss progress and devise techniques destined for present tasks. These multilevels brought out my interest in design and the precision and power that effective communication materials can achieve in creating supportive programs. While we discover the fundamentals of the designing process, we also realize the power of design that spans various sectors, not the aesthetics alone, but the influence and the effect, whether direct or interpreted.

Blog Post 3: Navigating the Culture at CUNY LEADS: A Blend of Creativity and Flexibility

I grew a lot and enrolled in CUNY LEADS, not only about workplace culture but also progressed in many skills. The culture there supports creativity, comfort, and flexibility. The best part with the attire here is that it is informal, and so I am allowed the liberty to dress as per my choice, which means my work attire leans towards something comfortable and, at the same time, functional. Moreover, this aspect of our culture exhibits the play’s emphasis on sociability and diversity, in which all people are welcomed.

Generally, I conduct 2 hours daily from Monday to Friday, which is a short time but has an essential impact on changing people’s outlook on their day. I decided to have an alternating schedule managing both in-person and remote work. The schedule gives me a diverse pattern that suits my academics and personal life. The feature of flexible work schedules, including the blend of remote and on-site work, is key to continuing to enjoy productive work and inspiration.

Teamwork communication effectiveness between Linda and I is maintained in a structured and flexible approach. Linda conducts a 30-minute weekly meeting with me every Wednesday, but it can change depending on what is going on the day. If we are unable to see each other in person we take it to Zoom, and touch base on working projects or upcoming events.

Photoshop, Illustrator, and Canva software are what I work with to integrate project management and bridge the design gap seamlessly for the organization’s efficiency. They serve as lenses through which I view art literally and, subsequently, figuratively, allow me to make a significant contribution to our shared purpose. This serves as a realization that the knowledge of digital media is a large part of our job; it makes us more effective as we develop designs and projects that matter.

At CUNY LEADS, one of the college’s most significant assets is its culture, as it is informal, flexible, and has a very collaborative spirit, which is the institution’s foundation. It is a culture that not only supports but also enriches our joint mission to prepare students for the workforce, and it means every day, we are working in an atmosphere that rewards us.

Blog Post 2: Embarking on My Journey at CUNY LEADS: The Internship Experience

Becoming a part of the team of CUNY LEADS at the New York City College of Technology is a milestone in my professional growth, and I cannot wait to narrate the story of the way that has led me this far. What I find amusing about this outstanding program is the diversified role of my design skills that aim at helping students attain their career goals. Such a change allows me to practice my creative powers and increase the depth of my knowledge in an educational setting that is also carefree.

I was the first among us to enter the process with an interview, which was the most intense stage, but it was inspiring as I got to prove myself. The first days of my internship were quite electrifying. I was urged to meet my supervisor, Linda Rivera, who soon became a mentor and an essential figure in my internship journey. Thanks to her proactive management, Linda has been the backbone that enabled me to deal successfully with all of my tasks and open up new leads for further growth.

The choice of CUNY LEADS as my internship setting was driven by my desire to serve in an environment that not only espouses diversity and fairness but also works consistently to ensure student empowerment for students with disabilities. Once I realized the difference it makes and how one can join this community by combining a passion for design, I could not hold back and took a step into it.

It was a transparent, straightforward, and uncomplicated search process all at once. Linda was interested in seeing my portfolio, checking my class schedule, and establishing whether I was free and what design specializations I already had. She then asked what I would contribute to the company based on my earlier experiences. This meeting was an opportunity to play my strengths of taking care of practical skills and availability to make the work/study balance.

Indeed, my greatest joy was to be among the chosen ones who had performed best during the interview and were contacted for a two to three-week waiting period. I got the job offer. It was a smooth and comfortable transition that let me immediately jump into the role, hungry to explore my skills and learn from future experiences. This internship is a work experience necessary for my career goals and also to contribute to a program that concentrates on students’ lives.

Blog Post 1: Introducing CUNY LEADS at New York City College of Technology

The CUNY LEADS Program, which is a program linked to the New York City College of Technology, intends to help college students, whether with or without disabilities, during their job hunting and prepare them for the work world. The office that occupies a prominent and equipped space is the central place of this public project, which targets primarily college students. The assistance disabled persons and other students get here is not attributed to their identification. They are all considered, and the assistance is given uniformly. One of the significant value additions of CUNY LEADS to a student’s college life is through the employment readiness efforts that the program initiates. The program activities give the students a lot of early practical exposure in the professional field.

Summary Of Two News Articles

Article One

As CUNY celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, its CUNY LEADS program for graduates with disabilities is seeing exceptional job placement success. With a 70% employment rate for the participants, nearly double the national average for Americans with disabilities, the program has significantly enhanced academic and career prospects since starting in 2010. CUNY LEADS aims to bridge the employment gap by offering personalized career guidance. The article shares inspiring stories of graduates like Jermaine Greaves and Russell Hill, who overcame many obstacles with their advisers’ support to achieve academic success and find meaningful jobs (CUNY, 2020).

Article Two

Based on the article CUNY (2019), The City University of New York (CUNY) is indeed an outstanding institution among the national public colleges, which is one of the findings of The Chronicle of Higher Education magazine, in appreciation of its diversity within the strategic level. The testimony of twelve CUNY colleges having highly diversified managerial staff in four-year institutions and six CUNY two-year colleges communicates to us that CUNY is one of the pioneers of the urban public university. By doing this, the recognition will not only applaud CUNY’s long-term commitment to diversity, excellence and distinction but also fully reveal CUNY’s impact on higher education as reflected by the notable alumni and its faculty achievements (CUNY, 2019).

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