Zawaad Abdullah
BHSEC gave me a platform to understand my needs as an individual outside of just being a student. I had the platform, space, and support to pursue my creative endeavors and my education. BHSEC opened me up to difficult discussions, socializing with people with a variety of viewpoints and perspectives, and seeing the world through a lens other than my own. I may not have realized it then, but all those things certainly had a lasting impact.
Life after college happened in the middle of a worldwide pandemic, so I don’t think anything could have been prepared for that. Even without that, I switched majors and schools and still ended up on a totally different career path. I can say that BHSEC provided the foundation for having that kind of autonomy – it provided the opportunity to explore what making big life decisions would look and feel like for me.
I currently work as a project manager in a city agency. For a long time, I ran an independent recording/production/engineering studio, but that’s largely a passion project now. My time is primarily spent as an active member of a New York-based hard-rock band called Velvette.
My field of study turned out to be Audio Engineering, which is a very broad field. It extends beyond music to video games, TV, and film. Internships would be the way to go. Running my own studio gave me the foundation to pivot into project management, so I started with some remote coordinator roles, earned my certification, and planted myself in something permanent. Nothing is set in stone, of course, and I plan to pursue larger projects in different fields, bringing my skills with me.
These days, I’d say my advice to BHSEC students and fellow alumni/ae is honestly to just breathe. I spent many years hunkering down and prioritizing work over other things, and now, at 26, I wish I had done more with my free time. It’s vital to find a balance, and everyone deserves downtime. Attack your goals relentlessly, but take care of yourself as well. Those two things are not mutually exclusive.
