News and Updates

SUMMER SEARCH NYC STAFF

Summer Search NYC is growing! Read about the staff members and what they have to say about the NYC Alumni program:

• Karina Kirsch became the Program Director in 2006 and stepped into the role of Executive Director in May 2008. She is exited to be leading such a terrific organization. "We always say, once a Summer Search student, always a Summer Search student, but what does that mean? It means we never stop advocating for you. Alumni who stay in touch are the first to hear about job or internship opportunities, connections to people who work in the industry that alum might be interested in, professional development workshops, and help with resumes, cover letters, graduate school, and the job search. We want to help opening doors so that you can all step through them and become the leaders that you are." - Karina Kirsch

• Monique Rodrigues –has worked in the Boston Summer Search office for the last 5 years and is acting as the Interim Associate Director in New York as of October 2008, until the end of January while Jill’s on maternity leave. “I have been at Summer Search in Boston for the last 5 years and have worked with the Boston alumni community as they have grown and strengthened. I am excited about the growth of the New York City Summer Search alumni community and I look forward to meeting many of you in the coming months!” - Monique Rodrigues

• Emily FitzGerald joined Summer Search in September of 2007 as a Program Associate. “Whether through internships, professional development workshops, or CAN, we continually want to provide you with resources you need, but we rely on your invaluable input to ensure we are getting it right. So, let us know what you think!” - Emily FitzGerald

• Caitlin Hinz joined Summer Search in October of 2007 as a Program Associate.“As Summer Search Alumni, you are forces for change in your communities. Summer Search is committed to investing in that force. Alumni have access to a vast career advisory network, professional development & college access resources, internships, and a growing community of over 1,800 alumni across the country. As the Alumni Coordinator in the New York City office, I am passionate about building the Summer Search New York City Alumni community, creating opportunities for you, and supporting you.” - Caitlin Hinz

• Iliza Bershad enthusiastically joined Summer Search as a program Associate in September of 2007. “I imagine the alumni network like a big spider web that’s been spun throughout the whole United States and that is filled with diverse and curious individuals who share a common goal of giving back to the world. Having access and being part of that immense and growing network is the reason why I think and hope that alumni stay engaged and active in Summer Search.” - Iliza Bershad

• From 2004 to 2008 Ippolita di Paola worked with the non-profit organization International Humanitarian Foundation in Guatemala, and now she is very happy to be back home working with the students of New York City. “Alumni help create a lasting network and community for all Summer Searchers to join and feel a part of. As unique leaders in your own respective communities, Summer Search is a resource in which to find strength in numbers and ideas, and to continue developing your leadership skills. As leaders skilled in altruism, this is a wonderful way to give back to Summer Search and all the new students each year.” - Ippolita di Paola

• Megan McKinstry joined Summer Search in February 2008 and is excited to be part of such an inspiring organization. “It has been so exciting for me to see Alumni come back and support current Summer Search Students. Whether at the Fall or Spring Event or the Spring Runs; you have all been there and can help our new students see where they are headed! As staff, we also love to see and hear from you guys. Tell us what you are doing – what is challenging, what is fantastic. We are always here to support you!” - Megan McKinstry

• Kathleen Dawson joined the Summer Search team in June, 2007 and is excited to be a part of such an amazing organization. “As a new staff member at Summer Search it has been really exciting to meet and hear stories from the New York Summer Search alumni. What an amazing group of motivated and passionate individuals! I’m looking forward to working with the alumni more as the year continues." - Kathleen Dawson

• Summer Search has long been a home for Nancy Suzette-Sanchez as she is a Boston Alum of ’02. Her strong belief in opportunity has brought her back to the outstanding Summer Search family. “As a Summer Search alumna I think it’s personally important to stay connected to Summer Search. They mean it, this is a family for life but that means that as alums we are connected to each other. This is a great network and we should utilize it!!! As an alum that now works for Summer Search I can say it’s important to stay connected because just like we were helped it is now our turn to help others.” -Nancy-Suzette Sanchez

• Jill Kantrowitz joined Summer Search as a Program Associate in 2006. Currently Jill is on maternity leave until the end of January.

• Elena Yesner joined Summer Search as the College Counselor in August 2008 and is excited to be back home, supporting Summer Search students and their families through the college process.

• Lauren Massell joined the Summer Search staff in November 2008 as the Development and Operations Associate.

To read more about the staff members, click on this link.

CAREER ADVISORY NETWORK

Dear Fellow Summer Search Alumni,

Are you struggling to decide what career path to take? Do you wonder what it’s like to be a lawyer or what it means to be in marketing? You really like psychology but don’t know how that translates into a job? What does an investment banker even do all day? If you have any of these questions, then the Career Advisory Network (CAN) is for you!
CAN is a volunteer network of professionals from various career fields who are eager to meet you to help you explore different jobs and provide invaluable advice as you prepare to enter the professional world! We encourage you to take advantage of this great resource. Volunteers from the business to education field are waiting to meet you!
Contact Emily in the Summer Search office at efitzgerald@summersearch.org to be matched with your own personal advisor today!

ALUMNI TESTIMONIALS

"Being a Summer Search Alumni has been beneficial in many different aspects. My first semester in college was challenging, however Summer Search was by my side guiding me and helping me with my culture shock experience. With this experience I realized that I would always be part of Summer Search. In addition, they have made their best efforts to find me an advisor in the psychology field. As a typical college student I have changed my major many times, and Summer Search found me advisers in every interest. For example, I wanted to go into medicine so I had a doctor as an advisor, and then I was interested in international affairs so Summer Search got me an advisor from the United Nations. By being in contact with these advisers it helped me narrow what I truly wanted to do. That is where I was guided to my major, psychology. Summer Search has always been an influence in my life. In high school Summer Search helped me develop leadership skills and now in college they stand by my side in helping me with future developments". - Wendy Rodriguez, '07

"Being a part of Summer Search has really guided me to grow into a unique and special individual that I am today. I find it increasingly important to continue my relationship with Summer Search because they continue to provide help, support and resources to nourish my future. As an individual transitioning into the difficult world filled with tremendous obstacles, Summer Search is a valuable asset in trumping these obstacles. Summer Search provides networking, mentoring and most important of all, everlasting friendship. With help of Summer Search I have gone on two phenomenal journeys, and more to come. It is true that “once a Summer Searcher, always a Summer Searcher." - With love and friendship, Edward Yu, '06

"Summer Search has been has been the leap that I needed once my High School career ended. As an alumna of the class of 2007, I feel that it is both very important and imperative to stay in contact with the Summer Search family. They have opened so many doors for me and because of that I am deeply grateful. It is amazing that even after graduation you receive the same kind of attention as if you were a current Summer Search student. I personally love the great gatherings, the professionals I meet and of course, the internships. It is certainly true when I was told that once you are part of the Summer Search family, you will always remain part of the Summer Search family.” - Diana Marte, '07

SUMMER SEARCH NEW YORK CITY: SUMMER 2008 INTERNSHIPS

Kimberly Quinones, Storage Deluxe
Solomon Kuffour, Storage Deluxe
Kofi Afful, Outward Bound
Johanna Arenillas, Pfizer
Maricela Bravo, Storage Deluxe
Shaquana Butler, Storage Deluxe
Noel DeFreitas, Storage Deluxe
Bridgette Depay, Storage Deluxe
Yudelki Firpo, NYU Child Study Center
Carrie Gonzalez, National Museum of American Indians of the Smithsonian Institute
Karen Granados, PAX Ventures LLC
Eric Joseph, NYC Minority Youth Environmental Training Institute of the National Hispanic Environmental Council
Freddie Joyner, Pfizer Animal Health
Francesca Morel, Pfizer
Damise Paraison, Zephyr Management
Rafael Payano, Pfizer
Joseph Reed, Shawmut Design & Construction
Samantha Roberts, Pfizer Animal Health
Delvina Smith, Forest Laboratories