Two BC Students Win Jeanette K. Watson Fellowships
For the third year in a row, two Brooklyn College students have been named Jeannette K. Watson Fellows, a prestigious award that provides paid summer internships to 15 exceptional undergraduates from select New York City colleges and universities. Watson fellows also receive mentoring support and other opportunities for networking and professional development.
This year Marina Malomud and Rosemary Taveras, both sophomores, joined the growing list of Brooklyn College students who have achieved the honor. Pre
vious winners include Aaron Gavin, Rebecca Khan, Nicole Lebenson, and Tien-Der Luo.
Malomud, who is originally from the Ukraine, grew up in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, and attended Midwood High School. She is a Presidential scholar and a member of the Brooklyn College Scholars program. An economics major and business law minor, she plans to attend law school and wants to work in economic public policy. She is on the advisory board of the Brooklyn College Business Leadership Society and also works as a private tutor. Malomud says she would especially like to intern at the United Nations through the fellowship but is looking forward to learning not only about the non-profit sectors but the public and private ones as well, as the program encourages students to try all three sectors over three consecutive summers of internships. “I love the fact that you get to experience all three sectors,” she says. “I want to take principles from the business world and learn how to apply them in a government setting. It will be
a great experience.”
Taveras, a native of Ozone Park, Queens, attended Archbishop Molloy High School. A Presidential Scholar and a student in the Brooklyn College Scholars Program, she works part-time in the BC Office of Communications, is an active leader in two youth groups, and teaches Sunday school. A psychology major, she is considering a career as a high school guidance counselor and plans to attend graduate school to obtain a master’s degree in social work. She says she is glad to have the opportunity to explore different careers through the program, which also encourages students to work in fields outside of their major.
“I want to keep an open mind about what I can do with my career,” says Taveras, who hopes to travel abroad for her final internship. “This program will give me a chance to try out different things.”
Both students will receive a total of $17,000 over three years—$5,000 for the first summer’s internship and $6,000 for the next two summers. They will also meet regularly with other Watson fellows to discuss their internships and participate in events with distinguished New Yorkers.
The fellowship was established in 1999 by the Thomas J. Watson Foundation, which was named after the founder of IBM. The award was established to increase life choices for exceptional undergraduate students.
