A simple email blast informing John Jay students about CUNY Service Corps changed the course of Quardear Harris’ ’19 life. “I saw an email saying that they were going to host an info session, and I was like, ‘Okay, I want to see what this is all about.’ Then I found out it was a paid internship, with credits that would work toward my minor in Human Services, and provide professional development. That’s when I said, ‘Well, this is what I want to do, because this is what I need,’” Harris recalls. The native New Yorker, and Criminal Justice Management major, dreamed of attending John Jay since he was in high school. After transferring to John Jay and not knowing anyone, his gregarious nature caught the attention of everyone he met—including deans, professors, advisors, and CUNY Service Corps Managers. “They all supported me one way or another, whether it was resolving an issue I was experiencing, giving me advice, or just being that listening ear,” says Harris. “CUNY Service Corps changed my career path and introduced me to youth development and education. Ever since my CUNY Service Corps internship experience, I’ve been working in nonprofit organizations, being able to positively impact the lives of countless underserved and underrepresented youth.” We chatted with Harris to learn more about his CUNY Service Corps experience and his journey to a career path focused on public service.

Believing in Himself
After landing a spot as a CUNY Service Corps intern, Harris settled into a routine where he found his passion for helping young people. On a typical day, Harris would go to the high school he was assigned in the South Bronx, and find himself providing academic support to the students, initiating behavior and attendance intervention techniques, and offering post-secondary support to the graduating seniors. “The most challenging aspect of the internship at the beginning was feeling like I couldn’t relate to the students and didn’t have anything to offer them,” says Harris. “I remember going to the office of my CUNY Service Corps Managers, Stephanie Colon and Anika Frazer, and telling them I couldn’t do it and I wanted to switch sites if possible. They ensured me I had a lot to offer those students, and they told me to just be myself, keep an open mind, and give it a chance.” Reinvigorated with their confidence and encouragement, Harris realized that he was up to the task. “I was ready to do my part to make a difference, even if it was just one student that I helped.”

Finding His Footing
As he became more familiar with the students and their situations, Harris felt more comfortable with his role in guiding them. With every interaction, he started to see his own passion for the work grow exponentially. His favorite moment? Working with the students at a Thanksgiving event. “All of the schools in the building came together to purchase food, desserts, and beverages for the entire student body right before their break. I was able to participate in serving a Thanksgiving meal to the students,” says Harris. “For some of the students, this was their only Thanksgiving meal. I got to witness how much the event meant to them. I got to see their smiles. Through my experience with CUNY Service Corps, I learned about students dealing with food insecurity, homelessness, and other issues that could stand in the way of them obtaining their high school diploma.”

Toward the end of his first internship experience, Colon and Frazer, the same managers who encouraged him to continue, presented Harris with the CUNY Service Corps Spirit Award. “That really validated all of my work efforts with the students,” he remembers. Seeing how transformative interning could be, Harris went on to do a second internship through CUNY Service Corps as an internship program coordinator at HERE to HERE where he placed high school students in the South Bronx in internship programs that suited them.

Advancing His Public Service Journey
After graduating from John Jay, Harris knew that he wanted to continue pursuing a career path that focused on public service. Currently, he’s working with Project Sunshine, a nonprofit organization dedicated to uplifting the spirits of pediatric patients, through AmeriCorps. “We partner with different hospitals all over the United States and we host teleplay sessions with the pediatric patients who are either in the hospital or at home,” Harris explains. “I work behind the scenes training volunteers and providing chapter support and resources.”

After working with AmeriCorps, Harris hopes to earn his master’s degree in either human resource management or public administration. “I want to become a human resources professional, provide people job opportunities, and source talent. I also want to develop strategic partnerships with youth workforce development programs where I can bridge a gap between young people and employers. It’s all about paid internships and apprenticeships. That’s the way young people learn about different career paths.” Looking back on his own high school experience without an internship opportunity, and seeing how an internship experience transformed his life, Harris is determined to help others coming up behind him see the possibilities before them.

Advising Others to Intern
When asked about his best advice to current John Jay students considering an internship, Harris didn’t miss a beat. “Apply to CUNY Service Corps!” he said with a laugh. “Essentially, CUNY Service Corps was my career center, but John Jay also has an actual Career Center that I know has a lot of internship opportunities available.” Recalling his own initial hesitation and doubt about his internship placement, he continued by suggesting to keep an open mind. “You’ll be amazed at what you never thought you could do, but you actually can. Oh, and network, network, network, with your classmates, your professors, and staff members that you meet. They often hold the key to a new opportunity.”