Need an internship? The New York Jobs CEO Council is here to help.
I recently had a conversation with a student in one of my classes who hadn’t had an internship yet, which nearly resulted in me raving about this organization that I recently learned about. The organization had been involved throughout the semester, bringing KPMG (a top-four accounting firm) CEO Paul Knopp to speak on the Lehman campus.
By Emmanuel OkoliI recently had a conversation with a student in one of my classes who hadn’t had an internship yet, which nearly resulted in me raving about this organization that I recently learned about. The organization had been involved throughout the semester, bringing KPMG (a top-four accounting firm) CEO Paul Knopp to speak on the Lehman campus. They’re called the New York Jobs CEO Council, and I’ve recently had the opportunity to see just how influential and impactful this organization is. On August 21st, I had the chance to attend a US Open exclusive event hosted by the New York Jobs CEO Council at the largest tennis organization in the world, Arthur Ashe Stadium, in Queens. There, I conversed with job recruiters, the managing director, and senior associates and learned about the work of the New York CEO Council and how they got to where they are. New York Jobs CEO Council The New York Jobs CEO Council is committed to creating economic opportunities in New York City and beyond, focusing on bridging the skills gap and fostering a diverse workforce. Led by influential CEOs from some of the world’s most prominent companies, the Council has pledged to connect 100,000 New Yorkers, including 25,000 CUNY students, to quality jobs by 2030. So far, they’ve helped 7,634 CUNY graduates get hired into family-sustaining entry-level roles and enabled 2,313 CUNY students to get paid internships. How do they do this? They offer resources like resume and cover letter templates, and events. “We want to act as a student resource,” said Niezum Ahmed, a Baruch College graduate interning as a multimedia intern for the New York Jobs CEO Council. “We want to direct you to where you need to go and help prepare you to become career-ready.” As I talked with the organization, one thing that kept coming up was its Talent Network, which recently offered students an opportunity to attend an industry trek with Bloomberg, with professionals who spoke about their journeys to Bloomberg. The Talent Network is a one-stop shop for much of what the New York Jobs Council has to offer. Why it matters to students Lehman College has one of the most diverse college communities, with 55% of the community being Hispanic or Latino and 25.4% Black or African American, according to an article by DataUSA. However, this demographic is often underserved and underrepresented, especially in the job market. The New York Jobs CEO Council is looking to help change that. “We talk a lot about representation. Representation is the catalyst of our organization. We want to be able to showcase to New Yorkers and, specifically, CUNY students, [...] that you can make it.” says Niezum. “I mean, that’s in our tagline. [...] Because it’s true. It doesn’t matter who you are, what type of background you have, if you grew up with all the resources, or if you didn’t grow up with any resources [...]. We offer opportunities for everyone.” Speaking of under-representation, Lehman students can utilize this opportunity to get their name, and Lehman’s, out there, which is why Daniella joined, a sophomore majoring in accounting and Lehman’s New York Jobs Council Ambassador. “People sleep on Lehman so much, and I’m like, Baruch isn’t the only one that can give you these freaking prodigies. Other schools can produce good kids, not only one.” The New York Jobs CEO Council offers internships, networking opportunities with CEOs via their talent portal, and access to top recruiters. The deal with Internships I wouldn’t want to be another broken record, but internships are extremely important to college students. The unemployment rate of students with versus without internships is massive, especially those in social work and computer science. The New York Jobs CEO Council is a way to get internships so no one gets left behind in the job market. 
“The way I would describe [New York Jobs CEO Council] is a resource,” said Niezum. Utilizing these resources can mean earnings of 6% more than those who don’t. Internships are crucial to today’s college-to-workforce pipeline. Depending on the major, students with internships are 6% to 20% more likely to be employed than students without, resulting in more work experience that can lead to greater work competence, job satisfaction, and higher earnings. As students, we are responsible for utilizing these opportunities to build ourselves to compete in an ever-competitive work landscape. A message to those without I had a conversation with a terrified senior about graduating because they didn’t have any internships. They had jobs, sure, but no job experience directly related to their desired career. Niezum has something to say to them. “It’s never too late,” she says. “Your career journey is going to be different from someone else’s, and that’s okay. You should never feel shameful about that; if anything, you should celebrate wherever you are in your career journey.” Daniella also concurs. “Don’t be scared. The worst that can happen is the answer is ‘no’, but rejection is just redirection. You can’t be scared when it comes to your career because you have to take risks in life, and your career will be one of those.” Many of the students in the New York Jobs Council’s talent network are also financially supporting their families, working numerous jobs, or can’t work numerous jobs because they need to focus on their studies. The organization is a resource that enables students to pursue opportunities at any point. Making an impact 
The New York Jobs CEO Council’s Industry Trek (@nyjobsceocouncil Instagram) Want to be part of the New York Jobs CEO Talent Network? All you have to do is sign up on the organization’s website. Go to nyjobsceocouncil.orgVisit their Jobs Seekers pageSelect the Talent Network Portal and sign up
Also, follow them on Instagram @nyjobsceocouncil and on LinkedIn at New York Jobs CEO Council. Meet the Accomplished Lehman Lecturer and Author of the Exciting Young Adult Thriller, ‘’SUN DON’T SHINE’’
There are novels you trudge through, where the characters and stories are just words on a page, and then there are novels by Crissa-Jean Chappell.
The women behind numerous acclaimed novels who write “to make sense of the world.”
By Emmanuel Okoli
There are novels you trudge through, where the characters and stories are just words on a page, and then there are novels by Crissa-Jean Chappell. I’ve read a lot of good books, and I’ve read my fair share of bad ones. What separates the two is the author’s ability to make the story immersive. Authors who can make the characters and their tribulations matter to you. Crissa-Jean has mastered this craft, not just in her stories but in all her written work.
Crissa-Jean Chappell is a renowned author and Lehman professor who has taught in the creative writing department for nine years. A natural creative, Jean grew up imagining fantastical adventures of dragons, pirates, and tentacles. Her ability to vividly curate immersive fantasies is why her work is so highly acclaimed.
In books like ‘’Life Inside My Head’’, ‘’Snowbirds’’, and ‘’Sun Don’t Shine,’’ the Florida native spins tales that take your senses for a spin using techniques like concrete language. This technique allows authors to illustrate aspects you can smell, taste, see, hear, and feel.
I recently had the opportunity to interview Jean. Here’s what she had to say.
What inspired you to start writing?
Crissa-Jean: ‘’When I was little, my dad used to read to me. He would stop at the library on his drive home from work and load up the trunk with stacks of books. Some of my favorites are ‘’Frog and Toad’’, ‘’James and the Giant Peach’’, ‘’Charlotte’s Web’’, and ‘’Anything’’ by Beverly Cleary. After a while, my parents discovered that I was reading the newspaper independently (at first, they thought I’d just memorized my favorite books). Then I started to write my own stories on notebook paper—mysteries about magical ponies and sisters who lived in a treehouse.’’
How long have you taught at Lehman?
Crissa-Jean: ‘’I taught creative writing at the college level for almost twenty years, nine years at Lehman and ten in Miami.’’
How long have you been an author? What is it like?
Crissa-Jean: ‘’My first novel, ‘’Total Constant Order’’, was published by HarperCollins in 2007. Over the years, I’ve seen a lot of changes in the publishing world—specifically with social media. Authors and readers can share a conversation through pictures on Instagram or videos on TikTok. It would’ve blown my mind as a kid when I was mailing fan letters to Anne Rice.’’
Why do you write?
Crissa-Jean: ‘’I write to make sense of the world. In fiction, we have plot and structure, and everything that happens must serve a purpose (while real life can often feel random and unpredictable). Writing is all about connection. It’s amazing when I receive emails from readers saying: “I relate to this character,” or something in the story speaks to them personally. Of course, once a book is published, it doesn’t belong to me anymore. It becomes part of the reader’s imagination, crafted from their memories. And that’s a little magical, too.’’
What do you enjoy most about writing and being an author?
Crissa-Jean: ‘’I can daydream at my desk for hours when working on a story. In a way, it’s also like time travel. I forget about the noisy outside world and disappear inside my head. I listen to the characters’ voices and wait for them to tell me their secrets. I don’t outline my novels until after the first draft, so seeing what my characters will do next is fun and surprises me!’’
What do you dislike about writing?
Crissa-Jean: ‘’My characters are like friends to me. I’m always a little sad to say goodbye to them.’’
How did you develop your writing style?
Crissa-Jean: ‘’I learned much about story structure from my film professors in college (my MFA is in screenwriting, and my Ph.D. is interdisciplinary). If you’ve taken my classes at Lehman, you know I’m a fan of Joseph Campbell's The Hero with a Thousand Faces and how mythology shapes our modern lives. Stories are all about human experience. ’’
What's the most challenging part about being a writer?
Crissa-Jean: ‘’The first draft is just the beginning. Revision can be a big challenge. I tend to write a lot of stuff that eventually I’ll cut out and toss in the “zombie graveyard” file on my laptop. Sometimes, the zombie parts will resurrect into a new draft, but usually they stay dead….’’
How do you deal with writer's block?
Crissa-Jean: ‘’I always tell my students I don’t believe in writer’s block. Of course, that doesn’t mean I don’t sometimes get stuck while working on a new book. If I get stuck, I must consider the hero’s dramatic need. If the hero has a specific goal, you will keep building obstacles and problems that force them to grow and change.’’
What do you want to share with aspirational students who wish to be writers?
Crissa-Jean: ‘’Trust in your voice. Don’t let the robots (I’m looking at you, ChatGPT!) steal your voice away. Storytelling is all about sharing your unique view of the world. That’s your greatest superpower.’’