Danielle Clapperton
BHSEC ignited a passion within me that was a total mystery prior to my enrollment; my experience exposed me to literature, philosophy, debate, art, and discourse in ways I had never known or experienced. Most importantly, I was previously unaware that not only was I oblivious to the breadth of art and language that begs engagement, but that I would become totally enamored by the beauty of words and wisdom for the rest of my life. Nine years post-graduation, my fascination with these topics is woven tightly into the fabric of everything I am today.
The rigorous nature of BHSEC’s curriculum and culture served as a sturdy foundation for my life after college. Bard’s culture encouraged thought, self-expression, and deep understanding. The ability to think deeply and critically, to express my thoughts and feelings with precision and eloquence, and the ability to comprehend complex systems, concepts, and ideas – are skills that allowed me to excel in every area of my life, stretching beyond academics and the workplace. These skills have also been integral to strengthening personal relationships and have enabled me to become an effective advocate for myself and others.
As I approach the conclusion of my first year as CEO at Baruch Transportation, I am unwaveringly focused on executing the plans and visions we have for scaling our business and continuing to provide the best transportation service to families in our community. As the 25-26 school year comes to a close, Baruch is eager to implement drastic improvements to operations by leveraging new funding and optimizing logistics to ensure uncompromised reliability as we continue to provide safe and reliable student transportation services to Howard County, Maryland.
While I have been working in transportation logistics for the past 4 years, I have extensive knowledge of art and multimedia with over a decade of production experience and a Bachelor’s degree in studio art. The best piece of advice I have to any person trying to make their way in the field of media is this: Make the content, share the content, go to that event, and don’t be afraid to network! Every local film screening, every art exhibit; these are all opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals, and to get your name out there into the art community. With art and media, community is absolutely everything. Artists are always seeking collaboration. There are all kinds of internships, apprenticeships, programs, and opportunities to engage with – you just need to go out and find them.
My advice to BHSEC alums is to keep thinking. These days, critical HUMAN thought is a treasure. The beauty and complexity of the human mind cannot and will not ever be replicated. It is a disservice to the biological spectacle that humans are to opt out of using these big, beautiful brains to their fullest capacity. Keep thinking, keep CREATING, keep sharing; these are the cornerstones of our civilization.
