Alumnae Panelists Talk about Life and Learning

On Saturday, January 12, 2008, a panel of young women alumnae talked about their careers, and the foundation formed at NCCS, speaking to over 60 past and current mothers and teachers at NCCS.

Amanda Nisenson, 1994: Opera singer; Marie Sette, 1992: Grade 4 teacher, NCCS; Oni Brown, 1997: Horizons Program: School Year Program Director; Taryn Jones, 1995: Director of International Business, Kate Spade; Jessica Vascellaro, 1998: Writer: The Wall Street Journal; Samar Jamali, 1995: Associate Producer, Anderson Cooper 360 - CNN.

These six young women, involved in a variety of careers, were inspiring in their honesty, humor and ability to reflect on their experiences since NCCS. They could point to a remarkably similar recollection of what they had learned in their years at NCCS: they learned confidence and competitiveness, and the willingness to try new things. They learned how to write, and to enjoy writing. Doing research projects in eighth and ninth grades, they learned that women are not always perceived fairly in the media. They learned that there are different perspectives on world issues, and that they need to be aware of others. They learned that they are where they are today thanks to a confluence of people and opportunities, and that it doesn’t matter what you have as long as you give back to others. They learned how to learn.

Responding to the question of whether they knew what they wanted to do when they were at NCCS, it seemed clear that some were pointed towards their present careers quite early, but that others took slight detours in arriving where they are now. Jessica Vascellaro, for example, wrote for the newspaper in secondary school, as well as for The Crimson while at Harvard. Her work at The Wall Street Journal seems a natural next step for her. On the other hand, Maria Sette wanted to be a pediatrician – until she met college chemistry at the University of Connecticut– but by her ongoing teaching at Horizons during the summer, she found her way to the NCCS Apprentice Program and her place in the classroom. By becoming involved in volunteer work while a senior at Columbia, Taryn Jones realized that running “Peace Games,” a non-profit organization that teaches non-violent conflict resolution to children was like running a business, and that she found the interactions stimulating and rewarding. She now is building Kate Spade’s international business in Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. Samar Jamali spent the years after Columbia, where she majored in Russian Studies, traveling, teaching English, and learning Mandarin in Beijing and Taipei. Working as a CNN producer for Anderson Cooper 360 permits her to think globally and deal with pressing world issues. Travel also appealed to Oni Brown: after spending time in Paris while at Tufts University, Oni decided to stay on there for a year after graduation, equipped with her double major in Dance and International Relations. Then she learned Spanish while in Costa Rica, volunteering on a cooperative coffee plantation. Motivated by the desire to “give back,” she came back to the States and to the Horizons Program, to teach a dance class…which has now turned into a full time job as the ongoing School Year Program for Horizons students. Amanda Nisenson was involved at NCCS and at New Canaan High School with music and drama, but it was when she was accepted into the Julliard Pre-College program, which met every Saturday, that she studied voice, piano and theory intensively. She graduated from the Manhattan School of Music, the only conservatory to which she applied, and after graduation, she was accepted into the Metropolitan Opera Young Artist Program. She now travels and tours.

The audience asked the women a series of questions, notably: “What have you experienced in terms of gender bias?” Those in business and the media talked of the lack of women role models at the top of those professions, and of the difficulty some face in working on business deals abroad. But, as Taryn said, “You have to move right through and not get fazed by it.” Maria and Oni, on the other hand, spoke of the benefits of working in fields populated by strong women. One panelist felt that male peers and friends are surprised to hear that women face any obstacles in the workplace, and often appear “shocked” to hear about it, each feeling that he is “enlightened” about gender issues. All the panelists seemed to agree that they wanted to be perceived both as strong and feminine.

Another question concerned their hopes for marriage and children. They hope for balance, but admit that the 24/7 demands of business and work make “doing it all” seem difficult. European models offer more flexibility in the workplace, but in the United States, women have to evaluate what kind of support they have for raising children. As the event ended, Amanda asserted with energy and conviction that life is a journey, and that living each day to the fullest will clarify choices, no matter how complex.

Those who attended the Mothers’ Breakfast are grateful to the panel for their insights and their wisdom: they taught their mothers well!