First Generation Professionals: Paving The Way

Join us for a career development event, First Generation Professionals: Paving The Way. Attendees will hear and share stories of the successes and challenges as members of the Macaulay First Generation community, and connect their degree to the world of work by meeting employers committed to hiring diverse talent.

Meet Our Panelists

Cindy Wong graduated  summa cum laude from Macaulay Honors at City College in 2019 with an Environmental Earth Systems Science degree. She previously worked as the lead intern at the CUNY Building Performance Lab and as a research assistant in Johnny Luo’s lab at CCNY. Currently she is a Ph.D. student at Princeton University studying atmospheric and oceanic science. She is the first in her family to earn an undergraduate degree, but upon completing her doctoral studies, will be the first in her entire lineage to have earned a doctoral degree.

Kay Kelly is currently a Legal Assistant in the Office of the Executive Counsel to the President at The City College of New York. She earned her B.A. in Anthropology from City College in 2021, with minors in Biology and Legal Studies. She previously worked for Macaulay Honors College as the Student Life Intern, and spent her time in undergrad as a club leader, serving in student government, and assisting with fundraising for the school. She is passionate about the history, culture, and quality of life of New York City. She plans to attend law school in 2023.

Steven Valdez Hernandez is a Recruiting Manager based in NYC for COOP Careers. Graduated with a Bachelors in Psychology he is a former Care Manager for the IDD population, and a veteran of 8 years in the Army. His goal now is to help his community find better paying jobs through COOP’s free mentorship programs. Throughout his life, the service to others less privileged has always been a motivating factor.

More Panelists will be added! 

Spaces are limited for this virtual event. Please register. CUNY students and alumni are welcomed to attend as well.