We spoke with six members of the Class of 2020 about how their Fordham experiences have helped them begin careers or further their studies, despite the challenges of the COVID-19 crisis.
Elsa Au-Yeung
School: Fordham College at Rose Hill
Major: Biological Sciences
Minor: Bioethics
Current Job: Research Associate, Inflammation and Immunology, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
“One of the things I am the most grateful for from my experience at Fordham was actually learning about things not related to my major. Since we are required to take the core curriculum, I was exposed to so many different classes I never would have taken otherwise. These courses refined the way I think about virtually everything. Buddhism in America helped me discover my interest in Buddhism, and Intro to Bioethics challenged many preconceived beliefs I had about the health care industry and controversial ethicists.”
Read more of Elsa Au-Yeung’s story.
Reed Bihary
School: Gabelli School of Business
Major: Business Administration
Concentrations: Finance, Global Business
Minor: Economics
Current Job: Corporate and Institutional Banking Development Program Associate, PNC Financial Services
“Through the Gabelli School of Business, I was immediately taught the importance of networking, which helped me land multiple internships and gain a better understanding of which profession I wanted to pursue after graduation. The Fordham Mentoring Program helped to prepare me for interviews and expand my professional network. Connections I made with alumni through this program were pivotal in aligning me with the job I have today.”
Read more of Reed Bihary’s story.
Natalie Migliore
School: Fordham College at Rose Hill
Major: Journalism
Minor: Communication and Media Studies
Current Job: News Anchor/Writer, iHeartMedia
“Working at WFUV was hands down the best decision I ever made. It changed the trajectory of my life. I was going to be a business major, and walking into WFUV, I just fell in love with journalism. I wouldn’t have known about the position at iHeartMedia if it weren’t for having a connection from Fordham and WFUV. That reinforced [the importance of the]alumni network. Another thing I wouldn’t have gotten almost anywhere else was the small class sizes at Fordham. I built great relationships with my professors, and they’ve become great mentors to me.”
Read more of Natalie Migliore’s story.
John Morin
School: Fordham College at Rose Hill
Major: Political Science
Minors: American Studies, Mathematics
Current Job and Studies: Communications Associate, Regis High School; M.A. Candidate, Elections and Campaign Management, Fordham
“I was always surrounded by diverse experiences and perspectives, and the ability to have constructive conversations on complicated issues with my peers was amazing. The intro course for my American studies minor was one of the most important experiences I had. The professor, Diane Detournay, wanted us to challenge conventional thinking and advocate for needed change. The ideas she presented in class, I will always carry with me.”
Read more of John Morin’s story.
Finley Peay
School: Fordham College at Lincoln Center
Majors: Political Science, American Studies
Concentration: American Catholic Studies
Minor: Theology
Current Studies and Job: M.A. Candidate, Higher Education and Student Affairs, NYU; Graduate Assistant, Columbia University’s Office of University Life
“The biggest thing that I got out of Fordham was the breadth of the mentorship network. I got the best of both worlds participating in academics and student involvement at both Lincoln Center and Rose Hill. I’m still in touch with a lot of the administrators I worked with in the Office for Student Involvement. That’s one of the things I cherish the most: the number of people I met who genuinely care about students.”
Read more of Finley Peay’s story.
Julie Tin
School: Fordham College at Lincoln Center
Major: Psychology
Minor: Mandarin Chinese
Current Job: Human Resources Administrative Assistant, University Settlement, The Door, Broome Street Academy Charter High School
“Right now I work for a family of New York City organizations that give back to immigrant and low-income communities and provide services to disconnected youth. I had interned there during college, but I had little to no experience in the office setting before I was placed in Fordham’s Office of Alumni Relations for work-study. Through the staff’s guidance and instruction, I was able to develop data management, communication, and organizational skills that serve as the core of my professional abilities.”
Read more of Julie Tin’s story.
—Reporting by Chris Gosier, Adam Kaufman, Kelly Kultys, and Sierra McCleary-Harris
