• ROADTRIPS
  • CAREER EXPLORATION
    • Joel Nitzberg

    Joel Nitzberg

    Director of Programs

    New England Center for Arts & Technology (NECAT)

    Boston, MA USA

    “When I allowed myself the enjoyment of the journey without the fear of reaching a dead end, it was fun.”

    Videos

    Videos

    By Roadtrip Nation

    Joel Nitzberg

    Highlight
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    01:30
    Joel Nitzberg HighlightInterview Highlight
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    05:56
    InterviewThe Interview
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    01:36
    Mediums for Self ExpressionWeb Exclusive
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    02:15
    Bill StricklandWeb Exclusive
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    01:55
    Disappointment and Failure are NecessaryWeb Exclusive
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    02:04
    Nothing is PermanentWeb Exclusive
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    01:32
    Exploration and Self DiscoveryInterview Excerpt
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    00:44
    Freedom to ExploreInterview Excerpt
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    00:56
    Overcoming ObstaclesInterview Excerpt
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    01:32
    Enjoy the Search for OneselfInterview Excerpt
    See More
    Milestones

    Milestones

    My road in life has taken me all over.
    Grew up in a poor area of New York with a “dysfunctional” family; his parents separated four times when he was young.
    Says that emotional pain can be a positive thing; he thinks that experiencing hardships as a child helped him build resiliency.
    He majored in geology in college, then switched over to art and communications; he says cameras were his life.
    His first job was at a workshop for developmentally disabled adults; that inspired him to go back to school and get his Master of Social Work degree at Hunter College.
    Years later, after he’d tried many different things, he got into community education and the passion hit him like a “lightning bolt.”
    Now he works at NECAT, where he helps to train Boston’s inner-city community members in the culinary arts.
    He’s never stayed at the same job for more than seven years at a time, which he says has given him the opportunity to explore different paths.
    Says it’s a lifelong process to “figure one’s self out,” but he feels like he’s just about reached that point.
    Keep following my journey
    Education

    Education

    highschool
    High School
    undergrad
    Bachelor
    Environmental Studies
    CUNY Queens College
    graduate
    Graduate
    Social Work
    CUNY Hunter College
    graduate
    Graduate
    Social Work
    Cambridge College
    Career

    Career

    Director of Programs

    I oversee daily operations, establish relationships with partners, and develop processes to improve current programs.

    Career Roadmap

    Roadmap
    My work combines:
    My work combines:
    Art
    Art
    Education
    Education
    Teaching / Mentoring
    Teaching / Mentoring

    Day to Day

    I identify with being a Community Educator, working in concert with multiple stakeholders to provide educational programs and experiences that are transformative for families, individual, and communities. I managed program development of this start-up job training and education organization, helping create a "whole-learner" orientation, balancing culinary arts content with personal development (soft skills), and tapping into the strengths of each individual within this learning community.

    Skills & Qualities Beyond School

    I thrive in places where I can practice meshing lifelong learning, program development, project management, and community engagement. Focus on gaining skills and learning things that are interesting to you and then figure out how to utilize those wherever you end up.

    Advice for Getting Started

    Here's the first step for high school students

    You don't have to decide every step of your life right now. Be open to taking new opportunities and don't be afraid to move on when the time is right. Enjoy the journey.

    Recommended Education

    My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:

    undergrad
    Bachelor
    Environmental Studies
    graduate
    Graduate
    Social Work
    graduate
    Graduate
    Social Work
    Hurdles

    Hurdles

    The Noise I Shed

    From Myself:

    "I'm never going to find a job. "

    I experienced three years of unemployment early in my career. Even though that was a scary time, it was also the most liberating. I took that time to explore and focus on passions that I had without the expectation of financial gain. This time in my life made me realize that nothing is ever permanent and don't expect things to be.

    Challenges I Overcame

    Financial
    Financial

    I grew up in a very poor area in New York.

    Dysfunctional Family
    Dysfunctional Family

    I came from a family that was dysfunctional. My parents separated 4 times which made me a mess.