By: T’Neil Gooden
The Brooklyn College (BC) Immigrant Student Success Office (ISSO) collaborated with the Magner Career Center to welcome two successful immigrant alumni to share their rise to success on April 28 in James Hall.
Kelly D. Harry, class of 2015, and Daniel Menendez, class of 2008, sat down with BC students to share their stories of growing up as immigrants and their journeys to becoming the flourishing workers they are today.
Harry and Menendez spoke about their successes in personal finance and business management, also drawing attention to growing up as immigrants who had to work for their own hearts rather than their parents’ dreams.
“Growing up in an immigrant family where they’re telling children to have a social [social security number], you gotta unlearn a lot of things,” Harry said. Sometimes you have to unlearn what they’ve taught you to be able to put yourself out there and get that help. Because had I not spoken up, out of fear, then who knows where I would have been today.”
Both Harry and Menendez spoke about their first experiences in the United States (U.S.) as immigrants without a Social Security number securing their presence, and the fear and shock they experienced as they transitioned to becoming students in the U.S.
“Definitely a culture shock. I was born and raised somewhat in Trinidad and Tobago, and coming to America, it was definitely a different setting,” Harry said. “I think I’ve attended all girls’ schools up until I came here and attended public schools. So you just feel ostracized.”
Menendez emphasized Harry’s statement by saying, “It was definitely a culture shocker to come here and even still. When I came here, I didn’t speak English, didn’t have my parents living here, or cousins or anybody living here. I came to live in the Bronx at an apartment of one of my neighbors back in Honduras,” he said.
Harry and Menendez did not let their status stop them from growing, eventually receiving their documentation and coming to BC, where their victorious careers began.
“I was prepared very well, yet again, by the Magner Career Center, and hence why it’s worth my flying here to talk to you guys, because they’ve impacted my life in such a great way, teaching me how to dress, how to talk, how polished I should be when I get to work,” Menendez said.
Harry followed this statement by encouraging students to take advantage of the resources within BC.
“Don’t just go to class and go home. There’s a plethora of opportunities, resources, and things happening. I went to everything,” she said.
Jesús Pérez, director of ISSO, highlighted that Harry and Menendez not only received help from the Magner Career Center, but they also learned from ISSO.
“Take this opportunity to take these words inside, internalize them, and then act. Because the point was, what took you to the next step was the action, right? It is the follow-through,” Pérez told the students in attendance.
Harry and Menendez provided students with career advice, as Harry works in Marketing Strategies and Menendez works in banking.
“My advice would be to do what you can. Now you’re the new one. You’re the new person. There are so many things that you can do now instead of just sitting there and waiting,” Harry told the audience.
Menendez followed by saying, “I would say besides staying positive and focused on only what you can actually control. Look at where you’re good at and where you want to go,” he said.
These alumni then took the time to tell students to remain confident and prepared for the workforce.
“I’ve always kind of dotted my I’s and crossed my T’s. I come prepared, do my research, and I always say yes, even if I don’t know what I’m doing. I will learn it on the go,” Harry said.
Menendez then continued this thought by saying, “You can build an ecosystem right now around your skill set, be really good at it, and start small,” he said. You just have to figure out what it is that you would like to do, and you put the right structure in place. Everybody starts with one step. Take one step to that journey. And little by little, you walk.”
Harry and Menendez then ended their talk with some words of wisdom for the students who sat before them.
“ I would say, network with intention by truly remembering people’s names,” Menedez contributed.
“There are fellowships out there, a plethora of fellowships that if you fill out the application right and you tell them what you’re passionate about, how you’re going to change the world, they will give you money, will give you resources, will give you mentors,” Harry told the audience.
For more information about ISSO, visit @issobc on Instagram or their office in 117 Roosevelt Hall.