Colin Powell School
Meet Nica Genestin ’22: A Story of Resilience and Determination
Nica Genestin, a 2022 alum, embodies resilience and determination. She immigrated to the U.S. at five, facing numerous challenges with her family before starting her higher education journey at Borough of Manhattan Community College and later transferring to CCNY. Initially drawn to biology, Genestin discovered her true passion for political science through internships at the Social Science Research Council and Democracy Corps. Today, she serves as the Program Coordinator at Barnard College's Vagelos Computational Science Center.
Genestin's family hails from Haiti, from a close-knit community called Saint Michel de L'Atalaye. Her grandfather immigrated to the U.S. in the 1980s, eventually gaining citizenship and bringing her parents and her to the country. They settled in Harlem after living briefly in Queens. Her parents, both blue-collar workers, found long-term employment as custodians at Hunter College.
The college admissions process was foreign to Genestin, as neither of her parents had attended college. She started at Borough of Manhattan Community College while figuring out her next steps, guided by a friend who had successfully transferred to CCNY. The allure of City College, with its beautiful campus and commitment to immigrants, led her to apply and matriculate in the Spring Semester.
Genestin's parents aspired for her to pursue medicine, law, or engineering. Initially, she leaned towards biology and even took a phlebotomy course. However, she soon realized medicine wasn't her calling. She then explored psychology but ultimately found her passion in political science. Courses like Politics of Immigration and Media and Politics solidified her career aspirations in the nonprofit or political sectors.
Knowing the importance of internships, Genestin began applying for opportunities in her junior year. The Colin Powell School played a crucial role, with Dr. Deborah Cheng, the Director of Fellowships, advising her to explore the student opportunity page on LinkedIn. This led to internships at the Social Science Research Council and Democracy Corps, where she gained valuable experience.
Her internships included roles such as translating voter materials, phone banking, and serving as a communications intern for political campaigns. She also worked as a press intern for Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney and as a coaching assistant at the Office of Student Success.
These experiences helped her secure a position as a program coordinator for the American Institute of Chemical Engineers after graduation. After a year, she returned to higher education, finding employment at the Vagelos Computational Science Center at Barnard College.
Genestin advises students to build relationships with professors, network, and utilize school resources. She recommends seeking two internships per year to build skills and experience. Maintaining a strong GPA is also crucial, as it follows you throughout your career.
Genestin emphasizes the importance of patience and embracing the journey, as career paths often unfold in unexpected ways. She encourages students to remember their roots and share their wisdom with others.
Genestin's current focus is on matriculating into law school, aiming to make an immediate impact through a legal career. She has received her first law school acceptance and plans to attend part-time while continuing her work at Barnard. Her interest lies in employment law.
Additionally, she plans to refocus on her podcast, Prolific Muse, which aims to bridge the equity gap and support students through career insights. She also intends to host networking events to help people establish professional connections.
Nica Genestin’s journey from an immigrant child to a program coordinator at Barnard College is a testament to her resilience, determination, and passion for making a difference.