"Busy is good,ŮٱƵ says Sunny Shenkman ŮٱƵ25, a Communications and Media Studies major and double minor in graphic design and art. ŮٱƵYouŮٱƵre locked in, and schoolwork becomes easier when you have so much stuff to do.ŮٱƵ
And Sunny certainly has a lot to do.
Sunny is the president and editor-in-chief of PaceŮٱƵs imprint fashion publication , as well as the leader of FusionŮٱƵs graphic design committee. TheyŮٱƵre the director of the , a where students can buy and sell handmade items. They also work as a programming assistant for PaceŮٱƵs LGBTQA+ Center and as a journalism intern for Brown Eyez Co. TheyŮٱƵre also working on illustrations for a childrenŮٱƵs book series! And thatŮٱƵs just outside of the classroom.
I feel like sometimes in New York, you have to do everything.
SunnyŮٱƵs set to graduate this spring and during their time at Pace theyŮٱƵve learned how to find the balance in the busy. ŮٱƵThere are things I just wonŮٱƵt compromise,ŮٱƵ they explain. ŮٱƵI have a really big social life and thatŮٱƵs really important to me. But so is getting nine hours of sleep.ŮٱƵ They also insist upon prioritizing their health. ŮٱƵYou hate that people say it over and over but itŮٱƵs right: take your vitamins!ŮٱƵ
When it comes to the work you want to do, Sunny says itŮٱƵs about knowing what to sacrifice, and what to hold dear. ŮٱƵI like keeping some things sacred,ŮٱƵ Sunny explains. ŮٱƵIt's just a negotiation. What is the most important and what can I delegate? Learning how to give up stuff a little bit has been really big for me.ŮٱƵ
Sometimes, Pace feels impossible because it seems like everyone has these amazing jobs.
These skills are important for Sunny, especially as they approach graduation and prepare to enter the creative industry, a field that demands adaptability. ŮٱƵWhat does being a creative even mean?ŮٱƵ Sunny says. ŮٱƵI feel like sometimes in New York, you have to do everything. You have to be a photographer and a designer, a leader, an organizer. All these things. And you have to be good at every single one.ŮٱƵ
SunnyŮٱƵs also learned you canŮٱƵt just stop at trying to learn everything, you also have to show it off. ŮٱƵSometimes, Pace feels impossible because it seems like everyone has these amazing jobs,ŮٱƵ says Sunny. They share how intimidating it can be to see peers sharing their successes and how theyŮٱƵve learned to tackle that by sharing their own. ŮٱƵDonŮٱƵt be afraid to be a LinkedIn warrior. One day, I had this switch where I started posting everything I do on LinkedIn because I kept seeing all these amazing things people were doing and wanted to show what I was doing too.ŮٱƵ
I like keeping some things sacred. It's just a negotiation.
Finally, Sunny has learned to embrace support. ŮٱƵI really respect PaceŮٱƵs administration.ŮٱƵ Sunny explains how Pace staffŮٱƵwith special shout outs to Todd Smith-Bergollo, senior associate dean for students and Janice Hilbrink, director of endowed scholarshipsŮٱƵhave shaped their journey in meaningful ways and helped them get to where they are today. ŮٱƵTheyŮٱƵve really come through for me and I wonŮٱƵt forget that moving forward.ŮٱƵ
Sunny has made the most of their time at PaceŮٱƵand theyŮٱƵre just getting started. TheyŮٱƵve learned to balance their schedule and embrace their successes. As they prepare to graduate, their experiences at Pace have set them up to take on whatever comes next.
But first? Maybe a well-earned nap.
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