Majoring in Management allowed Thomas to discover his interest in team-building and Human Resources (HR). Upon graduating in 2018, he quickly obtained his current job, where he now implements lessons he learned in organizational behavior, global operations, and more.
What led you to enroll at LIM College?
I was in a performing arts troupe in high school, and I showcased costume designs at district and state events. I wanted to study how my work could eventually be sold or marketed, and I looked into several New York City schools. After one Open House, I was convinced this school could offer me the specialized education I sought.
What did you study?
I studied Management with a concentration in Responsible Business Practices. The Management major offered a mix of courses that spoke to my interests by focusing on areas such as Human Resource Management, Organizational Behavior, and Global Management.
What’s happening in your career now?
I'm a Human Resources Generalist for an engineering consulting firm focused on the railway and energy industry. I support HR functions for 40 consultants across the U.S. and Canada, including visa and immigration, payroll, performance management, recruitment, vendor relations, and onboarding.
How did you find yourself on this career path?
I know it’s not something you expect from an LIM graduate! After interning in fashion—marketing for a digital magazine, retail for a boutique and eventually buying—I decided HR interested me more, and it was something I could learn a lot about at LIM. I interned in HR for a menswear company, Paul Stuart. I later started pursuing HR routes outside fashion. It helped that LIM instilled values that go way beyond a fashion curriculum—they push you to make connections.
How did LIM help prepare you for what you’re doing now?
It's unique for a college to require students to do internships as part of the curriculum, and it's what allowed me to position myself in my field early in my studies. My courses all centered around management practices; I was able to look at concepts in practical application. Outside my classes, LIM gave me the opportunity to become a leader on campus. The flexibility I had in the projects I wanted to push forward motivated me to be a self-starter.
What career accomplishment are you most proud of?
When our employees are happy, that’s my greatest accomplishment. When people thank me for being there as a resource for them, that holds a lot of value for me. Knowing I could be the reason someone feels good about their company is a great success in itself.