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Crystal Abisdid
BA in Communications and Media
Class of 2014
Crystal Abisdid (BA in Communications and Media, '14) currently works as an administrative assistant at Sadaka Associates. We recently spoke with Crystal about her experience as a CUNY SPS student, life since graduation, goals, and some of her favorite things outside the classroom.
Q: Why did you choose CUNY SPS?
I chose CUNY SPS because of the difficult financial situation I found myself in when attending my previous college. When I finally had the opportunity to return to school, CUNY SPS was affordable. Cost and the communications degree program made CUNY SPS an obvious choice for me.
At the time, I was working full-time to pay for school to avoid taking out any additional loans. Pursuing an online degree allowed me time to take action toward realizing my personal and career goals.
Q: What most appealed to you about your CUNY SPS degree program?
I liked the fact that my classes were online which helped me balance work demands as well as there being a support system in place to help me achieve my degree.
Q: How did you find your online "classroom" interaction with other students? With faculty?
The interaction with students and faculty was an amazing experience. My instructors were awesome, going above and beyond to help me attain my highest potential.
It takes a lot of discipline and patience interacting with students, especially when working on group projects. Students always came with various opinions and personalities that made for an interesting learning experience. Overall, faculty was very supportive.
Q: What were some of the most defining aspects of your time at CUNY SPS?
I'll be the first to admit that I struggled to complete my bachelor's degree. I don't shy away from a challenge, but I found the course requirements quite rigorous and it was essential for me to get the balance of classwork and work demands just right.
My last semester at CUNY SPS was by far the most challenging, but with hard work and a great support network behind me, I successfully completed the degree program. I really gave the effort my all. The defining moment for me was realizing all my hard work and sacrifice paid off. It does not matter where or how you started, but how you finish.
Q: What is the most important thing you learned at CUNY SPS?
The most important thing I learned at CUNY SPS was that often the unexpected happens; but in order to be successful, you have to push forward and create your own opportunities.
Q: How has your CUNY SPS degree influenced your career?
The BA in Communications and Media degree from CUNY SPS has opened many doors for my career and professional fulfillment. My CUNY SPS degree has led to interviews and job offers. It has created professional opportunities and enabled me to meet many successful business people. Importantly, many of the courses I completed [as part of my degree program] gave me the confidence to assert myself, take a leadership role, and be creative in my profession.
Q: What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
I have a high degree of interpersonal contact with our clients. Each case is different and every client is in need of help. It's rewarding to work with clients to the conclusion of their case, and a great way to give back to someone else and to make a difference.
My job responsibilities also have evolved over time, allowing me to work on various marketing projects which I greatly enjoy, as it enables me to use different professional skill sets.
Q: Where do you see yourself in five years?
Professionally, the path is wide open. I don't have a timeline pressuring me to be at a specific point in my career within the next five years. That's not me. What is most important to me is finding my place within a "problem-solving" organization that will provide me the opportunity to further develop my interest in the marketing field and make best use of my passion for helping others.
Outside the Classroom: Getting to Know More About Your Fellow Alumni
- Giants, Jets, Other, Don’t Care? I don’t really care for watching sports.
- Favorite & Least Subway Lines. I grew up in the Bronx, so my favorite subway line is the 1 train. My least favorite is the A train.
- Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, Both, Neither? Grey's Anatomy.
- Favorite NYC cultural institutions? Metropolitan Museum of Art, Wave Hill.
- Favorite music artist or band? I love Mariah Carey's music and my favorite artist of all time is Beyoncé.
- Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, All, None? I am very active on most social media sites. I enjoy Facebook and Instagram the most.
- Book or e-reader? I love opening a book and actually turning its pages.
- Favorite title or the most recent title you read? My favorite book has to be The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho