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Student Spotlight
Jade 'Cookie' Simmons
Major: Theater - Minor: DanceExpected Graduation Month & Year: May 2022
Hometown: Bronx, NY
Desired Career Path: To work in an elementary school as a Performing Arts teacher and creating my own performing arts program
Nominated By: Drew Kahn, Anne Frank Project
- Briefly describe how you have managed to stay confident and positive throughout your academic experiences.
- In order to stay confident and positive throughout my academic year, I needed to make sure that I had mental stability. To do this, I needed to remove myself from negative situations or anything that just did not make me happy. I started to surround myself with things that made me happy. I noticed that if I continue to stay positive, positive things will come to me, and it did! When you find out your purpose in life and do things that make you happy, that is what keeps you going. That is what helps you get out of bed every day and make everyday something. Take life one day at a time.
- Briefly describe how you have overcome obstacles to accomplish/work towards accomplishing your professional goals.
- In order to accomplish my professional goals, I had to throw away what was making me unable to reach my goals. Not necessarily throw it away, but use that pain and hurt and turn it into motivation and that motivation led me to success. I had to reflect on my old self and take accountability for everything that I was doing wrong and change those habits. We are human and our responsibility is to evolve and if you don't evolve there's no growth. So, I started to do what works for me and do all of my schoolwork and study while making sure I had the rest of the week to just reward myself with relaxation. When you get your priorities straight first, then you can do the things that you WANT to do.
- In what ways did the Career and Professional Education Center (CAPE) help in your preparation/search for your internship experience or in securing employment? (workshops, events, 1-on-1 services, BengalLink/other resources)
- Working with the CAPE has helped me tremendously because now I am confident and sure of myself that I can do whatever I put my mind to. At first, working jobs on-campus such as office assistant and computer assistant made me really anxious because I didn't have experience in either field. But working with the CAPE has given me the opportunity to build those skills and gain experience and now I am able to take what I know now and apply that to life. I now know how to create a professional resume and where to look for jobs.
- Any words of wisdom you would like to share with other students?
- Don't let anyone pull you out of your spotlight. Step forward and continue to shine. Don't ever dwell over things you have no control over and do control the things that you can make positive. Tough times don't last forever so keep your chin up.
- Desired career plans after graduation?
- After graduation, I want to work in an elementary school as a Performing Arts teacher and create my own performing arts program.
- Would you like to include your email address (for future outreach and connections with other students and employers)?
