The Johnnies Blog

Building a Finance Career: Lessons from a VP at BNY Mellon
Are you interested in a finance career where you can help people achieve financial empowerment? In this Q&A session, you get to know Duane Shippey '97A, a St. John’s University alumnus. As the current Vice President (VP) of Client Services at BNY Mellon, Mr. Shippey shares his journey of building a career in finance, the skills he has developed, and the challenges he has faced and overcome.

Prioritizing Your Mental Health in the Workplace: Q&A with Priscilla O. Agyeman ’16C
Balancing mental health and work responsibilities can be a challenging task. However, it is crucial to prioritize your well-being and seek support when needed to achieve personal growth and career success.
During this Q&A session, we speak with Priscilla O. Agyeman ’16C, a St. John’s alumna and mental health advocate. She shares her personal experience with mental health issues and the strategies she uses to navigate mental health in the workplace successfully. She also discusses the mental health resources she offers through her company, Saddie Baddies®.

St. John's First-Year Students Share: ‘Why Do You Want to Be a Nurse?’
If you’re interested in positively impacting people’s lives, nursing could be the perfect career path for you! In this Q&A session, we speak to St. John's first-year nursing students Lauren Chan, Beverly Dekyem, and Natalia Dookharan. They share their personal experiences, on why they chose a nursing career path and their reasons for enrolling in the Bachelor of Science program in Nursing at St. John’s University. Read on for some inspiration!

Financial Literacy Tips and Lessons from Ebony Beckford ’03CPS
Are you a college student or a recent graduate who wants to learn how to build a solid financial foundation for your future? In this Q&A session, we speak with Ebony (Rentas) Beckford ’03CPS, a St. John’s alumna who is an author, entrepreneur, and financial literacy advocate. Ms. Beckford shares her personal story of overcoming financial challenges during and after graduation. She also provides simple steps that anyone can take to develop a healthy relationship with money and how these practices are applied in her company, Fin Lit Kids.

Navigating Freshman Year: A Letter to First-Year College Students
In this letter, I share insights into navigating freshman year, from discovering my niche through campus involvement to transforming roommates into lifelong friends.

My Advice to a College Freshman: Embrace Growth, Keep Moving
Choosing to go to college is a challenging decision, especially if you are like me. During my first few years of high school, I thought I knew what I wanted to pursue, but eventually, I needed clarification about my future aspirations. I did not want to continue my education after high school, but at the same time, I was still determining what I wanted to do.
All I knew was that I needed a new start. In this blog, I share my experiences and insights to help you navigate this exciting, yet challenging, journey.

A Junior’s Advice to a College Freshman
Dear future college student, congratulations on making it this far! My name is Madison, and I am a junior majoring in public relations at St. John’s University.
It’s normal to feel nervous about starting college, but don’t worry—resources are available to help you succeed. In this blog post, I share valuable pieces of advice that I wish I had received when I was a college freshman.

Making an Impact through Social Entrepreneurship: UN Leader Insights
Are you ready to create a positive impact through social entrepreneurship? In this video, Gina Lucarelli, leader of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Accelerator Labs, the world’s largest learning network, explains how social innovation, sustainable development, and global collaboration can tackle pressing challenges and ignite positive change. Whether you look to launch a startup or scale your impact, this conversation equips you with the tools and motivation to make a real-world difference.
Kick-Start Your Career Journey: Insights from St. John’s Career Adviser
Are you looking to take your career journey to the next level? Meet Elisa Zervos ’22MBA, an exceptional career expert with extensive experience in operational management and professional development coaching across all industries. As the Associate Director of Career and Internship Advising at The Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies at St. John’s University, Ms. Zervos combines her strategic vision and hands-on experience to deliver guidance and support to ambitious professionals seeking to achieve their goals.

