Making a Difference

Political advocate Nasir Boykin-Smith says she wants to become a public interest lawyer to “make a positive and healthy difference in our society.”

The political science major is making the most of her time at New York Institute of Technology by gaining experiences that lay the groundwork for those career plans, including interning at a law firm and a city council member. The Box sat down with Boykin-Smith to hear more about her time at New York Tech and her plans for the future.

What led you to study political science at New York Tech?
The school offered me the most [comprehensive] financial aid package. To me, that signified that the institution saw my potential and intelligence. I was also a student-athlete for the cross country team but then discontinued playing. I chose to stay at New York Tech for the connection I had built with the staff and professors. Majoring in political science offers me the flexibility to cross over to the political arena in the future. Witnessing injustice, poverty, and the abandonment of nature in the world is why political science drives me. My aspiration for my career is to make a positive and healthy difference in our society.

Tell us about your internships. How are they preparing you for a future career as a public interest lawyer? 
The tools I use to keep me successful are having strong faith in God, great social support (friends), and learning all I can from the professors. I’ve been engaged in two internships: one as a financial intern at Investments Limited, a real estate investment, ownership, development, operations, management, and leasing organization, where I managed data for a five million-dollar project. I was also an intern with New York City Council Member Ben Kallos. The New York City Council contacted me to apply for a position, and I was selected to be an intern. I attended board meetings for the eighth district community.

How has your experience at New York Tech prepared you for life after graduation?
After I graduate, I plan to attend law school or intern for a trusted private firm. My New York Tech education and accomplishments will help me in the future by showcasing I’m no joke even though I smile a lot!