Alumni Aloud

Devora Geller received her PhD in musicology from the Graduate Center. She is the Digital Preservation Manager at the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research. In this episode of Alumni Aloud, Devora talks about how she began her job search while still in graduate school, the work she manages at YIVO, and how she uses her training from her PhD and previous experience every day. This episode’s interview...

Denys Katerenchuk is a Senior Data Scientist at IBM and a PhD candidate in the Graduate Center's Program in Computer Science. In this episode of Alumni Aloud, Denys talks about transitioning into tech industry jobs while completing the PhD and the similarities between industry and academia. He also discusses the surprising benefits he reaped by testing his own skills and abilities on the open job...

Allannah Karas earned her PhD in Classics from the Graduate Center. She is an Assistant Professor at Valparaiso University in Indiana. In this episode of Alumni Aloud, Allannah talks about her position at Valparaiso and the benefits of working in a small private university. She also lays out some of her strategies from the job search and her tips for networking as a new junior faculty member. This...

Jonathan Hill is an Excelsior Fellow in the policy and planning department at the New York State department of transportation. Jonathan earned his PhD in history at the Graduate Center in 2018. In this episode of Alumni Aloud, Jon tells us about the joys of using research skills to make an impact on civic infrastructure; the surprising benefits of asking quote-unquote stupid questions; and how to...

Elida Jbeili earned her Masters in Middle Eastern Studies from the Graduate Center. She is the North American Director of Communications and Media at Lebanese American University. In this episode of Alumni Aloud, Elida talks about the various benefits of working in a nonprofit and how her career has developed as she's moved between different organizations. This episode’s interview was conducted by...

Michelle McSweeney is director of data quality at Converseon, a social media analytics and consulting agency. Michelle earned her PhD in linguistics at the Graduate Center in 2016. In this episode of Alumni Aloud, Michelle tells us about how to negotiate a job offer and earn what you’re really worth; the rewards and drawbacks of shifting your professional identity after academia; and how following...

Astrid Rodriguez earned her PhD in educational psychology from the Graduate Center. She currently works at NYU managing the implementation of Student Success initiatives in Enrollment Management. In this episode of Alumni Aloud, Astrid talks about the importance of enrollment management efforts in pursuing universities' missions. She also discusses how an administrative position in higher educatio...

Lisa Tagliaferri is a postdoctoral fellow in MIT's digital humanities program. She earned her PhD in the comparative literature program at the GC in 2017, and she spent several years outside academia working as a community manager and developer educator at the cloud computing company Digital Ocean. In this episode of Alumni Aloud, Lisa tells us about the value of tapping into personal interests th...

Jay Blair is assistant professor of geography and anthropology at California State Polytechnic University in Pomona. Jay earned his PhD in the anthropology program at the GC, before taking a Mellon public fellowship with the American Council for Learned Societies (ACLS). His ACLS fellowship placed him with an environmental advocacy nonprofit organization, the Natural Resources Defense Council. In...

Carolyn Neuhaus is a research scholar at the Hastings Center, the oldest independent, nonpartisan, interdisciplinary research institute in the world. She earned her PhD in Philosophy from the Graduate Center. In this episode of Alumni Aloud, Carolyn talks about the journey through her PhD program, the opportunities that were most beneficial to her career development, and the beginnings of her care...

Stacey Donohue is a professor in the Writing and Literature department at Central Oregon Community College. She earned her PhD in English at the Graduate Center in 1995. In this episode of Alumni Aloud, Stacey talks about the importance of enjoying teaching and mentoring students if you’re applying to teach at community college; the subtle art of being adaptable to the needs of a diverse student b...

Chris Meatto is an alumnus of the Graduate Center's MALS program. His concentration was digital humanities with a focus in history. He teaches history and global studies at Greens Farms Academy, an independent school in Connecticut. In this episode of Alumni Aloud, Chris sheds light on the hiring process of independent schools and explains what he enjoys most about developing curriculum, working w...

Chang Chung earned his PhD in environmental psychology at the Graduate Center in 2013. He recently left his job as a researcher specializing in program evaluation and policy research for the FDNY Foundation, the nonprofit arm of the New York City Fire Department. In this episode of Alumni Aloud, Chang talks about the value of trying out unexpected things during your PhD program, the similarities a...

Avalon Garcia is a senior medical writer for Evolution Medical Communications, a consulting firm that crafts communication and educational materials for pharmaceutical companies and the patients and healthcare staff they serve. Avalon earned her PhD in 2008 in biochemistry from the Graduate Center. In this episode of Alumni Aloud, Avalon talks about the importance of inviting feedback on your work...

Mike Pino is the global learning partner for Cognizant, a fortune-200 IT services and business process outsourcing company based in New Jersey. He’s responsible for setting the learning curriculum for 40,000 employees who work in data analytics, artificial intelligence, programming, and digital engineering that keeps them up-to-date with today’s digital trends. Mike earned his PhD in English from...

Bren Cavallo earned his PhD in Mathematics from the Graduate Center. He's a data scientist at M Science, a data-driven research and analytics firm that uses unconventional data sets to uncover strategic insights on trends for leading financial institutions and corporations. In this episode of Alumni Aloud, Bren talks about the similarities and differences between data science and academic research...

Rocio Raña earned her PhD in Linguistics from the Graduate Center. She runs Langalo, a translation business in New York City. She also works on different research projects, publishes, and continues to teach. In this episode of Alumni Aloud, Rocio shares her time management tips and some advice for continuing research outside of academia. This episode’s interview was conducted by Abbie Turner. The...

Neil Hernandez is an Asylum Officer at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Agency, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security. Neil earned his PhD in the Political Science Program at the Graduate Center. In this episode of Alumni Aloud, Neil tells us about the rewards of blending practice and theory in public administration, the rewards of making a difference in people’s lives...

Rob Silva is a Senior Medical Director - Neurology at Ipsen Pharmaceuticals. He earned his PhD in Clinical Neuropsychology from the Graduate Center. In this episode of Alumni Aloud, Rob talks about how to sell your graduate school experience and research skills to a hiring manager in the pharmaceutical industry. He also discusses the importance of informational interviews and preparing for your jo...

Lauren Suchman is Evaluation Director at the Institute for Global Health Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco. Lauren earned her PhD from the Anthropology Program at the Graduate Center. In this episode of Alumni Aloud, Lauren tells us about the importance of shaping a narrative around your career choices and the benefits of thinking and preparing for post-dissertation life earl...

Richard Ocejo is Associate Professor of Sociology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He earned his PhD at the Graduate Center in 2009. In this episode of Alumni Aloud, Richard talks about what it’s like to make the career jump from graduate school to a tenure-track position, how to think about your professional development over the course of your PhD studies, his top tips to help you stand o...

Jeff Diamant is Senior Writer and Editor at Pew Research Center in Washington, D.C. He received his PhD in History from the Graduate Center in 2016. In this episode of Alumni Aloud, Jeff talks with us about the academic and journalistic environment at Pew, and the most helpful skills he learned while at the Graduate Center. This episode’s interview was conducted by Abbie Turner. The music is “Corp...

Michelle Fisher is assistant curator in the department of European Decorative Art and Design at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. When this interview was recorded, she was curatorial assistant in MOMA's Architecture and Design department and a PhD candidate in the Graduate Center's Art History Program. In this episode of Alumni Aloud, Michelle speaks with us about life as a curator, her ongoing inve...

Ben Zweig and Jonathan DeBusk are alumni of the Graduate Center's PhD Programs in Economics and Sociology, respectively. Both now work in IBM's Chief Analytics Office. Ben is a managing data scientist, and Jonathan is a senior managing strategy consultant. In this episode of Alumni Aloud, Ben and Jonathan explain what their jobs look like during a typical work week. They also give practical advice...

Yoni Reinberg is chief technology officer and web developer at Social Ink, a Brooklyn-based web design and development startup that serves educational, artistic, and purpose-driven nonprofit institutions. Yoni is a graduate of the Anthropology PhD Program at the Graduate Center. In this episode of Alumni Aloud, Yoni tells us how his dissertation allowed him to explore social problems that led to s...