Mark Browning - CAE Intern, Harlem Stage

Mark Browning wanted to get involved with the Columbia Arts Experience to combine his varied backgrounds and talents with his in interest in music, management, and marketing. As a first year student, Mark had a busy spring semester with his involvement in CAE, the Black Student Organization and the Brotherhood Project, helping organize events promoting kinship and leadership among black men on campus. His experience at Harlem Stage gave him a highly valuable, unique professional experience and a chance to work with a fantastic group of colleagues.  

His Experience 

The Center for Career Education is one of my favorite resources on campus.  I was advised by graduating seniors my first year that it is just as important for an undergraduate to build a strong resume with diverse work experience as it is to build a strong GPA. When I asked about where I could find job offers, interview training, and career guidance, I was told to check out CCE.  It took no time for me to get set up with a career counselor, Katherine Jo, who immediately helped me create a personal cover letter and improve my resume.

As I spoke to her about my interests, she suggested various paths and opportunities that aligned with my passions.  Columbia uses its strong relationships with performing arts centers to provide students the opportunity to intern at an arts organization in NYC; you can see, for example, how a show on Broadway or a jam session in Harlem come to life.

I had the honor of working behind the scenes in the Marketing and Programming Department of Harlem Stage.  Harlem Stage, bordering City College's South Campus on Convent Avenue, is a performing arts organization that has the finest of music, dance, theatre, and film Harlem has to offer.  It supports artists of color and introduces people to rich diversity, innovation, and skill in the performing arts.  It truly represents Harlem and is a landmark found off the main path of city attractions.

During my internship in the spring I put together files for artists' bios, assisted in distributing promotional items, and created some social networks for the organization including a Facebook and Twitter account.  Once my internship ended in May, my supervisors offered me a  
position as an assistant for the summer.  I started developing plans on the best approach to bring exposure to Harlem Stage on the Columbia and City College campuses.

I spent a lot of time with the staff, who function very much like a family. This was one of my favorite aspects of this work experience.  I was  often invited to performances across the city like hip hop jam sessions featuring the Roots or Little Brother, and classic theater  
productions like Joe Turner's Come and Gone.  The staff even sent me home for a few days on a complimentary flight and occasionally took me  to movies, parties, and get-togethers.  The Harlem Stage staff are genuinely great people who value honest business and close community.

I am truly grateful for my experience at Harlem Stage and the relationships I made.  This would not have been possible if I had not  
taken someone's advice to go to the Career Center.  The Columbia  Arts Experience is a great program that helped me see how much I love the performing arts, in particular hip hop, jazz, and classical music.  Anyone who knows they love the arts may find, to their surprise, a career, work experience, and the networks only Columbia could provide through this program.