Student Spotlight

Adrianna Arthur

Fashion Design Major
CUNY Cultural Corps Internship

After struggling with her mental health and adjusting to college life, Adrianna Arthur found herself on academic probation after her first semester at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and decided to take a break. She wound up taking what she calls her “6-year gap year” and working in visual merchandising.

Deciding to return to college, she enrolled at Kingsborough Community College to study fashion design. “I have always loved using fashion as an outlet to express my creativity and wanted to learn everything I could about fashion history and the process of creating a garment—from brainstorming new concepts to patternmaking, down to sewing the last stitch,” she shared.

She was initially hesitant about enrolling. “I didn’t believe that college was in the cards for me after my failed attempt at FIT,” she admitted. “I procrastinated during the enrollment process because I was unsure if I would be able to keep up academically. Focusing on how much growth and maturing has taken place during my gap years helped me feel more confident.”

Adrianna is excelling this time around. She’s enrolled in CUNY’s successful ASAP program, designed to help students stay on track and graduate quickly. And, she’s a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges.

She’s also exploring new interests, including English, museum curation, and journalism. “I am trying to segue from retail and customer service to a ‘big-girl job,’ aka a position that offers stability, benefits, and mostly aligns with my personal and professional goals,” she noted. “The search has been long and tiring and includes a lot of trial and error, but the knowledge I have gained makes it worth it.”

To that end, Adrianna applied for an internship through the CUNY Cultural Corps. The program provides students with paid work experience in NYC’s arts and cultural sector, creating a pipeline for them to have successful careers while diversifying NYC’s cultural institutions. Partnering institutions include non-profit cultural organizations involved in the visual, literary, and performing arts, as well as public-oriented science and humanities institutions, including zoos, botanical gardens, and historic and preservation societies. “I wanted experience that would help me transition into a career aligned with my degree and interests. An internship felt like the perfect way to gain relevant experience and make connections in the field.”

She recently completed her three-month paid internship as an art handler with Ankhlave Art Alliance. “My responsibilities were physically demanding, often involving moving large artworks and equipment—sometimes over 50 pounds,” she explained. “The job required teamwork, creativity, problem-solving, and meticulous planning to safely handle and install art.”

Interns were able to attend many exhibitions free of charge, giving them opportunities to mingle, network, or simply have a good time. “While I had hoped for a more intellectually focused position, I appreciated the opportunities to engage with artists and curators and gain insight into the behind-the-scenes processes of creating an exhibit.”

The internship helped Adrianna develop communication and networking skills. “While some days were unstructured and didn’t directly align with my academic focus, I recognized the value of learning soft skills, which are equally important. The internship was a great way to connect with professionals and artists in the field, and I’m grateful for the relationships I built.”

Adrianna is set to graduate in spring 2026. Although she initially planned to return to FIT for fashion design, she's now rethinking her career path. She expresses gratitude to Michael Palladino, a professor in business of fashion, and Laura Nadel, a professor in English, for introducing her to alternative careers. "I am curious about everything," she said. "It's very challenging for me to focus on one thing without feeling like I've put myself in a box! Despite this, I feel like I am closer to finding my calling."

Her advice to someone just starting college is to be patient and keep their options open. “It’s okay to change your mind a million times because you are changing over and over again.”

 

NOTE: To receive notifications when applications open, current students interested in applying for a Fall 2025 internship should submit an interest form by visiting https://cunysud.formstack.com/forms/cuny_cultural_corps_program_interest_form.