Tag Archives: Leadership

Making Your Voice Heard at FIT

It feels like it’s been forever… and unfortunately, yes, yes it has! But nonetheless I am back, and surely this year has already been a whirlwind of new experiences, emotions, and preparation for the future that will all be written about! Enough of my personal babble, let’s talk… ELECTIONS!

After the mess of the presidential campaign, I find the Student Government Association’s elections to be an enjoyable process that enables the students of FIT to ACTUALLY get their voices heard. If you are a prospective student, this is a great read to know how you can get involved in school in the near future!

Here’s the scoop! Every Spring, the Student Gov’t Association (SGA) searches for the next year’s executive board. Informational sessions start at the beginning of the semester, leading into an announcement party in which the election committee handles. Out of the positions ranging between 22-24 depeneding on the year, nine (9) are able to be voted on by YOU, and the rest are conducted through an interview process. These positions are extremely important roles that can shape the following years events, activities, etc.

These are the nine (9) positions that are up to you to vote on:

President
Vice President
Executive Secretary
Director of Communications
Director of Finance
Director of Programming
Director of Student Advocacy
Director of Student Organizations
Director of Sustainability

The following are the other positions you could interview for in the future:

Coord. of Graphic Design
Coord. of Digital and Social Media
Coord. of Alumni Engagement
Coord. of Athletics and Wellness
Coord. of Commuter Affairs
Coord. of Residential Affairs
Coord. of Campus Diversity and Inclusion
Coord. of Campus Day Events
Coord. of Campus Evening Events
Coord. of Off-Campus Events
Coord. of Seventh Floor Events
Programming Secretary/Treasurer
Treasurer

Why vote you may ask? The FIT SGA is the voice of the 10,000+ students on campus. They are direct middle-men/women of the student body to faculty and administration, and uphold the power to make a difference on campus! They are here for YOU, so make YOUR voice heard!

Current FIT students, make your voice heard now by voting here, the polls close on March 17th, 2017 at 12pm. For prospectve students or current students looking to get involved next year, find out more information here!

For more information on this year’s candidates, check out W27’s Election Issue, out now on campus, and available online here!

NJ → NY: New York Transplant Tips & Tricks

Hi everyone!

My name is Melinda and I am one of the newest additions to the Admissions Blog! I am very excited to be a part of this wonderful platform to share my experiences as an FIT student with you all.

As the title suggests, I am a New York transplant. What does this mean? I was born and raised outside of the metro area and found my way into the Big Apple. I grew up in Central New Jersey and moved to New York City to study Advertising and Marketing Communications, which is part of the Jay and Patty Baker School of Business and Technology at FIT. For starters, the transition from high school to college is not an easy one. Although the city is not foreign to me, since my parents are native New Yorkers, I learned very quickly that the transition from suburbia to an urban setting also requires getting used to. Here are my top 3 tips and tricks to ease your transition to New York City:

1. Learn Mass Transit: When I moved to Chelsea, I had a fear of the subway because I didn’t know how to use it; as a result, I walked EVERYWHERE. Although navigating on foot is doable, it is not the most efficient. Take advantage of the off-campus tours during New Student Orientation, like group trips to Times Square, Soho and the Brooklyn Bridge, to feel-out what it is like to travel like a New Yorker. Also, download transit apps like Moovit for subway/train/bus directions or utilize the MTA website for additional schedules and services. (The 1 is the 7th avenue local train, which you will use frequently!)

2. Plan and Prioritize: Making a personal schedule for classes, appointments, events etc. and to-do lists for homework assignments each week will save you stress and time wasted. Purchasing a planner prior to classes will also prevent procrastination and force you to stay organized (especially if it’s super cute!) My suggestion is to complete classwork the day of or day after class to check-off assignments from your list that are fresh in your head.

3. Get Involved: You are not alone; every new student at FIT is in the same boat. Meeting new people, adjusting to classes and balancing a social life with an academic life is heavy on everyone’s plate. Here are some options to further immerse yourself in the FIT community:

Clubs: There are 50+ clubs on campus that cater to student’s majors and personal interests. Plan to attend the club fair that will take place a couple of weeks into school. This is an easy way to meet new people with shared interests. You can even create your own club too!
Publications: WFIT (TV Broadcast/Radio), W27 (Newspaper) and Blush Magazine (Beauty and Fashion Magazine) all offer an insightful platform to share your voice with the FIT community regarding topics related to FIT, social issues, lifestyle etc.
The Student Volunteer Community Service (SVCS): This service, which is offered through the Department of Student Life, provides students with volunteer opportunities at Fashion Week, community events, etc. This is ideal to gain industry experience and to make a difference in your community.
Leadership: Build leadership skills at Leadership Weekend or attend the Leadership Workshop Series to learn how to effectively communicate as a leader. Also, participate in Impact Day by giving back to local organizations in NYC. This is a great way to represent FIT and to learn and grow as a leader on campus.

Learning how to use mass transit, prioritizing and getting involved on campus has made my experience at FIT an amazing one. I hope these tips help as you transition into New York City.

Let me know in the comments below what your thoughts are, as well as what you would like me to write about for my next post!

Always,

Melinda

FIT Leadership Weekend Fall 2015

“Control is not leadership; management is not leadership; leadership is leadership…” Dee Hock

This past weekend I had the privilege to attend the exhilarating Leadership Weekend, put on by FIT Student Life and Student Association! I would like to say… anyone can be a leader – get involved, take action for the greater good, and most importantly make connections.

I learned so much this weekend – about myself, and how to work with others! If you are a perspective student, FIT encourages student involvement. This is another reason to apply to the Fashion Institute of Technology !

I challenge current FIT students to apply for the Spring Leadership Weekend! An information session will be held January 25th from 1:00-2:00 PM in Room A721. Find out more information about the Leadership Weekend here, or contact Christina Ferrari at christi[email protected] and visit the Student Life office in A713!