Student Spotlight

When Kingsborough student Carlos Simmons spotted a Spring Forward internship flyer in the Student Life office, he didn’t expect it would become one of his most valuable college experiences.   

The CUNY Spring Forward program gives undergraduates without prior paid internship experience a chance to gain hands-on training while earning $20 an hour for 15 hours a week, from early March through May. Students select an industry hub—marketing and communications, community and social impact, STEM and environmental fields, or healthcare—and are matched with organizations across New York City to develop career skills and connections. 

After applying and interviewing, Carlos was placed as a fundraising intern at Dream Factory Brooklyn, a nonprofit that grants wishes for children with critical illnesses. As a business administration major, he built practical skills in fundraising, marketing, and communication that support his career goals. 

“I researched and built prospect lists using Apollo.io, drafted and sent fundraising emails to corporate partners, community organizations, and individual donors, and helped with event logistics,” he said. “The best part was seeing donors respond to campaigns I helped design and knowing I helped raise money for the event.” 

The experience also taught him how to communicate professionally and tailor his outreach to different audiences. “It was challenging to figure out how to reach donors without sounding like spam,” he said. "I learned by studying campaigns that worked and getting feedback from my bosses." 

Carlos said the internship not only helped him gain experience in business development but also clarified his long-term goals. “Working at Dream Factory Brooklyn made me more interested in business development, marketing, and finance,” he said. “While I realized I would rather not work in the nonprofit sector, I learned a lot about stakeholder relations that I was eager to apply to my own projects.”  

His advice to other students: Always be on the lookout for internship opportunities. “Internships give you the chance to learn by doing,” he said. “I learned about mine from flyers on campus, emails, or casual conversations. Apply, even if you don’t think you’re a ‘perfect fit.’ You'll make connections and get real experience that can help your career.” 

He speaks from experience. Before this, Carlos interned at J.P. Morgan Private Bank and as a marketing and content intern at both the PoppedUp App and a website-based anime company.  

“Once you’re interning, make an effort to network,” he added. “Ask questions, take notes, and seek feedback. It’s the best way to make connections that can open future doors.” 

Outside of class, the honor student is an active member of Phi Theta Kappa, serves as a student ambassador, works on campus through the work-study program, and co-runs a fashion business, Young Gods, with his mother, a KCC graduate, and brother Nigel (who is also a KCC student). He’s interested in finance—especially asset management, mergers and acquisitions, and venture capital—and is studying for his Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam. He plans to graduate from Kingsborough in Spring 2026 and transfer to a four-year college to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business or finance. 

He’s already thinking about how to pay it forward. He hopes to launch an internship program through Young Gods and partner with Kingsborough to create opportunities for Business of Fashion students. “I’d love to organize a fashion show during Fashion Week to help connect students with real industry experience,” he said.  

For Carlos, the Spring Forward internship was more than just a line on a résumé—it was a step toward building the kind of future he wants to create. 

 

Carlos Simmons  | Business Administration major CUNY Spring Forward Internship