A Fulbright Scholar’s Journey to Building Her Network
I had a wonderful time photographing Carmen Boon, M.A., Vice President of Public Affairs for the Food Bank For New York City. She shared some of her journey, her networking wisdom, and her passion for helping others.
"My journey mirrors a typical middle-class immigrant experience with a few twists. While my family in Venezuela provided emotional support for my move to the US, they were unable to provide financial backing, so I relied almost entirely on a Fulbright scholarship I pursued. It was a demanding transition that required a lot of effort and coordination.
The difficult political and socioeconomic situation in Venezuela restricted my access to my close family. Seeing them only every 2 or 3 years had its drawbacks but made me more resilient. Building a personal and professional network in the US from the ground up meant facing rejection and acceptance. Over time, I gained confidence and learned to embrace useful experiences for my personal growth.
I also came to understand the value of genuine networking. Earlier in my career, I didn’t grasp the importance of maintaining relationships with former colleagues as I moved from job to job. Now, I’m fortunate to have former colleagues from every job who are not only friends but also strong supporters of my work as I am of theirs. I also recognized the importance of mentorship and began actively sharing my experiences with younger communications professionals and aspiring Fulbright students.
Both Alissa and I are members of CHIEF & have both worked at and are supporters of nonprofit organizations. One day we met for coffee, and she generously offered to do a free photo shoot for the people my organization serves, many of whom are in deep need and seeking jobs. She transformed our community kitchen into a studio for the day. Some participants were moved to tears seeing themselves look so vibrant in their photos; many admitted they had never had a headshot or hadn’t had one in decades.
About a year later, recalling that positive experience, I asked Alissa to take my headshot. I haven't always been mindful of my wardrobe, so I appreciated how she discussed choices that would reflect "me" more authentically. After our conversation, I selected some clothing options and sent her photos, and she helped me choose the best ones, a level of detail rarely seen with headshot photographers. I'm quite minimalistic with makeup, but makeup artist Lisa quickly understood my preferences. Although initially hesitant, I was amazed when I saw myself in the mirror after she was done!
I also enjoyed working with Alissa to select my final photos right after the shoot. She suggested which images suited professional settings and for casual use. We picked smiling shots and a few where I wasn’t smiling, something I wouldn’t have considered without her guidance. As a communications professional with a keen eye for good photographers, I appreciate Alissa's unique talent for capturing details others might miss."