What even happens after high school and college? For years, we work towards graduation, but then what? I spoke with three HSMSE alumni about their jobs and how high school prepared them. Here’s what they have to say about life after HSMSE:
Lydia Mcfarlane
Class of 2012
Current job:
“I work at the Brain Injury Rights Group. It’s a civil rights injury firm that defends children and parents against the Department of Education. These are children with disabilities and brain injuries who haven’t received services from the DOE, and we sue on their behalf so that they can receive the fair and appropriate education that they deserve. I’ve always been interested in civil rights, or defending the little guy, and criminal defense—I always wanted to be a lawyer who helps people.”
Best advice for current students:
“If you are Black, I would say go to an HBCU; specifically, go to Howard. It was one of the best experiences that I’ve had learning about myself and about Black history. And it was a pivotal role in shaping my personality.”
High school class that best prepared you for your career:
“German with Ms. Rapp, actually, because she taught us how to study. She taught us how to make flash cards and memorize lots of words and conjugations. Those are the same skills that I used to help me flourish in college and law school.”
Best memory from HSMSE:
“When I was at HSMSE, there was no cheerleading team, so I created it—I got the uniforms and everything. And the first time we performed on a C-day, that was my best memory.”
Go-to lunch spot during school:
“Probably that sandwich shop around the corner, but when I was at school you weren’t allowed to go off campus, so that was a secret—we used to sneak out.”
Final thoughts:
“I would like to add that the students of color shouldn’t feel isolated at HSMSE. I know it’s easy to think that there’s such diversity at our school, that there’s no racism or sexism or xenophobia, but that’s not true. We have to be aware of how we treat each other and what we say, especially with our political climate these days, we have to make sure everyone feels safe.”
Lucian Ramnarase
Class of 2016
Current job:
“I work for a company called Blackrock that basically just manages people’s money. They built the technology to do that really well, and they sell that technology to other companies. I set up that technology when other companies buy it.”
Best advice for current students:
“We all live in New York City and there’s so much opportunity to explore what you enjoy. Figure out what you really enjoy (and that’s usually something you’re good at), and from there just work on it and find a job that will let you do those things. It’s great that we’re in the city and can start tapping into those things when we’re only 17 or 18 years old.”
High school class that best prepared you for your career:
“All the English classes. That’s not something I would have thought of when I was in school but all of life is very much a thesis, a body, and a closing. I just gave a presentation last week and it’s the same format. You have to start with a thesis about what you’re going to tell the client. You need supporting details to get there, and you need to close well.”
Best memory from HSMSE:
“I had a really good time at HSMSE. I can’t necessarily pin it down to one memory. Just overall the sports and the people I met that I’m still really close with today.”
Go-to lunch spot during school:
“People would get in serious trouble for leaving campus. You couldn’t walk across the street [to Amsterdam]! Our boundaries were the carts right outside of Convent basically to the NAC, and that’s it.”
Final thoughts:
“Everyone who was at HSMSE who is my age, we’re all in different fields and we’re all successful in our own ways, but we worked hard to get where we are. Working hard does pay off when the time comes, and you get to live a pretty good life in your 20s because you went to HSMSE.”
Tomer Oron
Class of 2021
Senior at Boston University
Major in Economics, Minor in Business
Internship:
“Last summer I worked for GroupeConnect [part of Publicis Groupe]. They do all of Bank of America’s marketing and advertising. It was an amazing experience.”
Best advice for current students:
“Just try and meet as many people as possible, and learn from everyone, and try many different things to see what you like.”
High school class that best prepared you for your career:
“Probably freshman year AP World History. Ms. Zafonte was pretty amazing, she was an incredible teacher. She definitely taught us how to study, how to prepare properly. The class was difficult so it was good preparation.”
Best memory from HSMSE:
“Probably either when we beat Democracy Prep my sophomore year in basketball or when we beat Albert Tuitt in the playoffs my junior year. Both of those were pretty sweet.”
Go-to lunch spot during school:
“Either the halal truck, or the pizza place, or the deli next to it.”
Final thoughts:
“HSMSE was great, I have only good things to say about it, it was a great experience.”