A Conversation About Colleges & Careers
On Thursday, July 21st, a few special guests joined the Armory College Prep High School Summer Program for a necessary conversation about navigating college and career choices. Topics discussed included searching for and applying to colleges; choosing a major; time-management as a college student; building relationships with professors; culture shock; and fostering connections in both personal and networking realms.
Thank you to our panelists:
Barbara Brandon-Croft — First nationally syndicated Black woman cartoonist in the mainstream press, creator of Where I'm Coming From comic, former Research Director at Parents magazine, and previously writer for Essence magazine. (Also attended Syracuse University with ACP Director of College Counseling, Clayton Harding!)
"I only applied to one school…I didn’t have anybody holding my hand. It would have helped to have guidance in the process.”
Diamond Jackson — ACP alum ('17), Hamilton College ('21), and Harvard Graduate School of Education ('22), Research Assistant at Tufts University
“Your personal statement and work with Mary Rose [Synek, ACP Director of Writing & Arts Development] is super important. That’s where you get to put who you are on a piece of paper. Explain what you can bring to their community and why it’s important that you get that opportunity.”
Bariki Innis — ACP alum ('17), Williams College ('21), Asset/Wealth Analyst at JPMorgan
“Even though you’re at school for a purpose [to study], it’s important to make connections. Find a small group of people. If you’re interested in running track in college, reach out to coaches ahead of time.”
Estela Villacis — ACP alum ('21), Washington University in St. Louis ('25), Sanford Udis scholar
“Start your [college] search early. It’s important to look at schools that have the major you want.”
