<p><span class="p-body">In the <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-global-security-conflict-and-cybercrime.html" title="MS in Global Security, Conflict, and Cybercrime">MS in Global Security, Conflict, and Cybercrime</a> program at NYU SPS, students have the opportunity to learn about cybercrime through a social sciences lens. This is especially exciting for students like Melanie Stavenow, who came to the <a href="/content/sps-nyu/about/news-and-ideas/articles/thought-leadership/center-for-global-affairs.html" title="Center for Global Affairs (CGA)">Center for Global Affairs (CGA)</a> with a background in political science. Now that she has graduated from the program, we were thrilled to speak with her about her experience as a student, her advice for incoming students, and where she is now.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">To put it simply, Pimley's journey after NYU took some interesting turns thanks to the COVID pandemic. However, Pimley describes those turns as interesting and fulfilling.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">&quot;Upon graduating, my part-time work at the 600-room Wellington Hotel became a full-time assistant manager position. From there I moved to the Empire Hotel by Lincoln Center, which closed a month later due to Covid,&quot; he recalled. &quot;During the pandemic, I started my own company that provided online English language training to Chinese students, and moderated finance seminars for bankers around the world.&quot;</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">In June of 2020, Pimley became the front of house manager for 111 West 57th Street, an ultra-luxury property managed by Douglas Elliman, and the skinniest residential condominium in the world. As front of house manager and lead concierge for 111 West 57th Street, he trains and manages a staff of 14 employees who oversee the building's physical plant, data systems, and security.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">&quot;My day runs from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m., and occasionally later if there is a new trainee or staff shortage,&quot; shared Pimley. &quot;The beginning of the day consists of debriefing the overnight team (condition of the building systems; delivery issues, resident issues, etc.) and creating a schedule of events for the day. By 10 a.m., I brief the management team on front of house issues, and then the day is a combination of directing movement of property and service personnel, interacting with residents, communicating with various security teams, vendors, FDNY, NYPD, and others that may enter the building.&quot;</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">According to Pimley, training the staff requires a combination of technical skills combined with situational awareness and social tact (for example, understanding what to say, what not to say, and what to have ready). He must always be prepared to properly assess and handle a number of different situations that could arise each day, and to provide the &quot;back of the house&quot; (engineers, onsite property managers, etc.) with the information that they need to do their jobs.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">&quot;I'm passionate about working hard, taking care of people and providing a great customer service experience, which is why hospitality is the industry for me,&quot; continued Pimley. &quot;I pride myself on clearly and methodically teaching efficient skills and modeling good behavior. I'm fortunate to be able to combine these two passions of teaching and customer service in my current position.&quot;</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">It's Pimley's opinion that the Master's program at NYU SPS gave him a credential that would stand out in any job search—and also kept him employed even during the pandemic. &quot;At NYU I learned a solid set of skills which allowed me to pivot successfully to different opportunities, and NYU provided me with a network of industry professionals and experts that I will use throughout my career,&quot; he divulged.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">As for advice to students pursuing a similar career now? &quot;Get experience, get credentials, and network, network, network!!&quot; he exclaimed. &quot;Students should get as much practical experience as possible.  Whether it is an internship or a part-time job, this experience will help them to more fully understand the theories that they are learning and will prepare them to search and find permanent jobs after graduation. Get credentialed whenever there is an opportunity (especially when an employer will pay for it!)&quot;</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Lifelong learning and skills are clearly important, according to Pimley, but he also had another piece of advice. &quot;Keep in touch with co-workers, fellow alums, professors, presenters, recruiters, etc!&quot; he urged. &quot;You never know where the next opportunity will arise, and staying in touch ensures that you'll get a call.&quot;</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">An <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-global-security-conflict-and-cybercrime.html" title="MS in Global Hospitality Management ">MS in Global Hospitality Management</a> from NYU SPS can open doors that you may have never imagined were possible. See where you can start the next chapter of your career with a degree from the<a href="/content/sps-nyu/about/academic-divisions-and-departments/jonathan-m-tisch-center-of-hospitality.html" title="Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality"> Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality</a>.</span></p>