CDP Alumni Success Stories

The Career Development Program creates opportunities for high school students and educators to participate in school-to-career activities in the arts and related industries. These are the stories of a few of the graduates of the program.

 

Susana Briscoe (2000, 2001) interned at Manhattan Neighborhood Network. She is working on a master's degree and serving as assistant director of residence life at Dominican College. She has been selected as one of Rockland County's "40 under 40," an honor bestowed on 40 young people whose accomplishments and commitment to the community identify them as the individuals to watch.

Dariana Castro (2001) interned at Manhattan Neighborhood Network, which introduced her to media and technology. A graduate of Chelsea Vocational High School, majored in media studies at Brooklyn College, where she played an instrumental role in creating the Urban Assembly Media High School; she also taught media literacy there. Currently the coordinator of special programs at the International High School in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, Dariana is an educator intern with CDP and coordinates the CDP internship program at her school. In addition, Dariana has used what she’s learned through CDP to establish her own internship program, most recently successfully placing 65 students in internships throughout the city.

 

Darnide Cayo (2001) interned at MTV Networks and also worked there upon graduating from Baruch College, where she majored in business communication and French. Now pursuing a master’s degree in corporate communications from Baruch, Darnide frequently serves as a guest speaker with CDP. She is also the cofounder of ArtistsVillage Inc., a nonprofit that works with Haitian artists to improve the lives of victims of environmental disasters.  

Although talented and motivated, Sophia Chen (2005, 2006) had no experience in architecture before she interned at the Rockwell Group, an internationally acclaimed architecture, planning, and design firm. However, through her experiences in the CDP Boot Camp and guidance from her Rockwell mentors, Sophia developed greater self-confidence. She has spoken to CDP interns about her experiences, noting the importance of speaking up and asking questions to get the most out of the internship. She attends Pratt Institute’s School of Architecture.

 

Awol Erizku (2006) interned at American Documentary, Inc., television’s longest-running showcase for independent nonfiction films. While completing his senior year at Art & Design High School, Awol gained tremendous experience at his internship by assisting the interactive department and editing video from the Youth Views Institute. He used this footage to create a web series called “Borders.” He is majoring in film and art at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art.

 

Didier García (2000) interned with Nola Recording Studio and subsequently received a BA in media studies from Queens College. Shortly before graduating, he started his own graphic design studio, Pixélion, where he creates simple, beautiful, and effective design solutions for individuals, businesses, and organizations including the Montel Williams MS, Rockefeller, Bill & Melinda Gates, and Ford foundations.
 

Maria Luisa Tamara (2005) interned at Materials for the Arts (MFTA), a nonprofit organization in Queens that gathers office materials from companies that no longer need them and distributes them to artists and educators. Her ongoing work at MFTA has enabled Maria to pay for college at the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she is majoring in fine art. She attributes CDP with helping her develop a strong work ethic, the ability to effectively manage her time, and the determination to overcome any obstacle in achieving her dream of becoming an artist.
 

Antonio Thompson (2000) interned at Jazz at Lincoln Center. He earned a BFA in music performance, an MA in performing arts administration, and is working on an EdD in music education. A founding member of the CDP Alumni Council, Antonio has worked as an educational grant writer for Teachers College at Columbia University. He is currently the executive director of the Brooklyn Steppers Marching Band, teaches a high school marching band at Walt Whitman High School on Long Island, and plays the trumpet professionally.