Cariahnna Collazo-Cintron

"The time-management skills I developed have helped me manage heavy workloads in other areas of my life."

What were some of the most defining aspects of your time at CUNY SPS?

Coming from a long history of strictly in-person learning, entering a fully online program was very challenging for me. When I applied to CUNY SPS, I wasn't aware that my courses would be fully asynchronous, so it was a bit of a culture shock for me when I began my first semester. Diagnosed with ADHD as a child, I learned to cope with my symptoms and adapted my learning style in the classroom. During my first semester, I quickly realized that the way I learned and functioned in a classroom would not be viable for me in this type of learning setting. It wasn't until my second semester that I truly felt like I had a grasp on a new way of managing my time, assignments, and overall workload. I was emotionally and mentally drained trying to do my best and realized that I needed to make a change, otherwise, this education would not be sustainable. CUNY SPS was now the third college I had attended, and I had vowed to myself that it would be the one I would graduate from. I needed to take charge of my life and prioritize my education. At times, I fell behind, but with the empathy of my professors, I was always able to catch up and provide my best work. Being treated not only as a student but as a human being with other challenges is something that I am truly thankful for at CUNY SPS.

What is the best piece of advice, or most important thing you learned at CUNY SPS?

Time management is KEY to success, no matter what your major is. At CUNY SPS, I struggled most and felt stressed when I hadn't properly planned ahead. Creating a task tracker in Excel at the beginning of the semester allowed me to outline all my assignments, their due dates, and how many points they counted for. This helped me visualize my workload on a weekly and monthly basis. This technique let me know when I needed to start working on projects early to avoid too much overlap with other assignments, making things much more manageable for me.

Who influenced you the most? Please feel free to include anyone from the CUNY SPS community including faculty, staff, or fellow classmates.

In addition to reorganizing my life and reconditioning my brain to function in a new educational setting, I knew that my education at CUNY SPS was invaluable when I took classes taught by Dr. Terri Anderson and Dr. Bonnie Oglensky. Both professors utilized personal reflections as class assignments. Professor Anderson taught myriad Sociology classes that challenged my outlook on the world. They forced me to center myself within the lessons and speak on how social systems, norms, and attitudes affected me and how I have contributed to them. On the other hand, Dr. Oglensky utilized thought-provoking and insightful reflections in her Human Relations curricula. In Dr. Oglensky's classes, I learned about communication, emotional intelligence, leadership, management, and conflict resolution while learning deeply about myself. I identified areas in which I had made mistakes in the past and areas in which I would continue to grow. The reflections were therapeutic and helped me feel more confident in my current and future self.

How has your CUNY SPS influenced your current job, and your career overall?

While I am currently unemployed, I can definitively say that my experience at CUNY SPS has made me a much more productive individual. The time-management skills I developed have helped me manage heavy workloads in other areas of my life. Additionally, the tools and education I gained through my Human Relations minor have made me a more involved and informed person. My experience in the Sociology major has further fueled my passion for social justice and allowed me to become a better advocate for issues that are important to me such as mental health, pay transparency and equity, and reproductive rights.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?

I aim to work for a non-profit that works to help make our communities safer, cleaner, and more equitable for all citizens. No matter the role I play, being a part of something that aligns with my values and life mission is satisfactory enough for me at this time.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

In five years, I will have graduated with my Master's in Social Work and will be working in a leadership position at an institution that supports social justice and innovative social development. I see myself speaking at events and engaging the community.

OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM

• What show/s are you currently watching? I recently finished watching The Foster's (I know, I'm late) and am now watching the spin-off show Good Trouble.
• What is your favorite meal? This is such a hard question because I am a foodie and truly enjoy so many different cuisines, but a simple back to my roots answer would have to be arroz con gandules and pernil with extra crispy skin.
• What is your favorite line in a movie? "I'll show you how valuable Elle Woods can be!" - The iconic Elle Woods, paving the way for all multifaceted, beautiful women entering male-dominated spaces and proving sexists wrong.
• Favorite or most recent book you read? Two of my current favorites are The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson and Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall.
• Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, none, all? https://www.linkedin.com/in/cariahnna-collazo-cintron/
• List 3 things you would bring to a deserted island.
  1. My fiancé
  2. Our dogs
  3. A professional chef/wilderness expert who specializes in survival gourmet cuisine

Read more about Bachelor of Arts in Sociology