STEAM Team Participates in 11th Annual KIPP NYC College Prep Fair

On March 15, 2021, the New York City Department of Design and Construction STEAM Initiatives Program Coordinators, Tatiana Vargas and Gemelli Briceño, participated in the 11th Annual KIPP NYC College Prep Virtual Summer Programs Fair. They spoke to over 150 students and their families from across the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn, about High School and College internship opportunities, the many professions and job opportunities available DDC, and about STEAM careers and DDC’s STEAM Educational Initiatives. KIPP NYC Fair participants also heard from STEAM DYCD Work, Learn and Grow interns, Asma Akter and Abdoul Diallo, who shared their experiences and what they had learned during their participation in the internship program. Among the skills the interns noted they had learned during their time with STEAM were how to create fillable PDF’s, draft professional emails, and create Power Point presentations. They also stated that they had greatly improved their public speaking skills.

STEAM Initiatives supports students in pursuing built environment professions beginning in middle school and continuing through high school, college, graduate school, and professional careers. Tatiana and Gemelli shared information about the Middle School Enrichment Program, the High School Summer Internship Program, and DDC’s ACE Mentor Program Team 8. These enrichment programs are the main points of entry for NYC students interested in the fields of architecture, engineering, and construction management. They also shared how these programs give students the opportunity to learn about the work of built environment professionals.

The high school and college internship program provide students with an opportunity to work directly with architects, engineers, construction managers and other built environment professionals and learn how they can contribute to the agency’s goal of building a more equitable, resilient, and sustainable city for future generations. Tatiana and Gemelli also informed students about the various projects DDC professionals have worked on all over New York City. In order to get a jump-start on their future careers, students were encouraged to participate in mentorship and internship programs that can help to provide skills for personal and professional growth.

About the NYC Department of Design and Construction

The Department of Design and Construction is the City’s primary capital construction project manager. In supporting Mayor de Blasio’s long-term vision of growth, sustainability, resiliency, equity and healthy living, DDC provides communities with new or renovated public buildings such as such as firehouses, libraries, police precincts, and new or upgraded roads, sewers and water mains in all five boroughs. To manage this $14 billion portfolio, DDC partners with other City agencies, architects and consultants, whose experience bring efficient, innovative and environmentally-conscious design and construction strategies to City projects. For more information, please visit nyc.gov/ddc