I was able to excel in my college courses - as many of my classes centered around presentations and public speaking. Being able to have a mentorship on my resume already allowed me to have an upper hand when getting internships during college (leading to my job).
JILL FUKUSHIMA, ‘20
Digital
Marketing Coordinator , K. Hovnanian Homes
I did my first real coding at CHS. It became one of my primary hobbies in and out of the classroom, and I got a lot of joy out of building cool things that anyone could use as long as they had access to the internet. Shoutout to Mx. Gesin! I was originally introduced to other cofounder of Vydia by Christian Wagner, another CHS alumni in my class. Without CHS and without Christian, I would not have co-founded Vydia.
MARK ALLEN ‘08
Technical
Co-founder & Principal Engineer, Vydia
I report directly to our EVP of Creative Solutions, help oversee a remote team of Art Directors, Creative Coordinators, Designers and Editors across four global offices, and lead performance marketing creative strategy for entertainment and lifestyle clients.
CHS gave me technical skills that set me apart from other students in my alma mater's Graphic Design program
NICK PORCARO ‘08
Associate Creative Director, Allied Global Marketing
I still value all I learned in my literature, history and financial literacy classes. Additionally, many courses were challenging at CHS and it provided an early lesson on organization, time management and dedication which greatly helped my ability to succeed academically in college
My TV production experience helped me earn a job in TV and my writing and graphic design experience helped me earn my comms and marketing job at Rutgers. I owe so much to CHS.
NICOLE SWENARTON‘12
Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications
Rutgers Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research
As my grandmother would say, it takes all kinds. I arrived at CHS uptight and even judgmental, but I left with many friends of all stripes and gratitude for the people I met there. Knowing how to engage with, work with, and grow with people who are nothing like me and have different values forced me to challenge my own beliefs and convictions and strengthen them. I am accustomed to being the odd woman out and holding unpopular opinions, but CHS taught me how to navigate disagreement respectfully, be tough, fight fair, and endear myself to people who really don’t want to like me, but inexplicably do anyway. It helped, of course, that my CHS classmates were all smart, and worthy opponents.
Associate Editor. NY POST TAYLOR WALTERS ‘13
Business Analyst/Project Manager, Susquehanna International Group
"CHS taught me the importanance resiliency! I learned how to juggle school work, extracurriculars, friendships and teacher relationships in an environment with all smart and competitive people. There are a lot of obstacles to learn and grow from but this diverse and unique environment really prepared me for college and the working world.
Challenging, friendly, motivating
Managing Director of Customer Experience
KPMG
The radio classes and internship at CHS set me up for immediate jobs during college. Those jobs led me into marketing roles which led me into the customer experience industry! I learned to be curious - about my classmates, world, subjects, and community!
CHS STUDENTS CHS STUDENTS
Fun;
hands-on; nurturing
Data
GILBERT, ‘15
Science Manager, JP Morgan Chase SEAN
The importance of being involved in extracurriculars. CHS gave me a wide variety of opportunities to learn and lead through different clubs, and that experience has been invaluable throughout college and during my career.
“I talk about CHS in every interview I have, noting my involvement in the TV Production classes. Having experience working in a television studio as a student has always been a great talking point!”
WILL CARRAGHER,‘20
Creative Artists Agency
Unique, focused, inspiring
I would say every opportunity I’ve had since graduating is thanks to CHS. Getting into college, being able to time manage and have jobs while being in school, resume building and receiving offers for jobs after school. Being able to move to a different state and having the confidence to meet new people. I wouldn’t have been able to do that without transferring to CHS and learning to be outgoing and open to new opportunities.
Imaginative, entertaining, fulfilling
ANNA MCCOMB, ‘15
Architect/Project Design
Synchronicity
SHANNON BROWN, ‘15
CHS taught me how to make new friends and how to address problems with a creative mind. I took my first coding class at CHS and that has been crucial in my career. It taught me how to study and also create balance and boundaries in my life. Research Physical Scientist US Army Corps of Engineers
I got my first exposure to basic coding and web design at CHS and I think that led me to take Computer Science courses in college which set me up for my career today.
Senior Engineer, Black Rock CHARLOTTE LIST, ‘14
CHS taught me to explore interests while keeping a common thread: communications. I often tell folks: I went to Communications High School, studied public relations in college and now serve as a public information officer. CHS was my foundation for my career path.
THOMAS BELL, ‘11
Deputy Director of Public Information
Horry County Government
The design skills I gained from CHS was something other programmers didn't have. This enabled me to make apps that stood out from others and be a complete package as an app developer. The experience I gained, and app I developed through mentorship my senior year helped me get internships as a freshman in college since few other freshman had professional experience
Staff Android Engineer
Fanatics SAGAR GUPTA ‘12
Collaborating with friends on creative pursuits such as short films, music videos, documentaries and even fake commercials gave me confidence and inspiration. I always try to maintain the same joy and enthusiasm for every project that I had during my time at CHS.
ERIC DIETEL, ‘08
Screenwriter (Television)
Warner Bros, Universal, ABC/Disney
CHS set me up with the technical knowledge that was lightyears ahead of my peers. When I got to college I had all the foundational knowledge already. I was comfortable editing videos. I just had to network and soak it all in.
I learned other career skills at CHS like journalistic integrity, prioritization, balancing a large workload.
Get 15% off our recycled fabric collection with code GOGREEN15
Producer, CooksUnity HALIE
AARON, ‘14
At CHS I felt like I was really encouraged to be independent, and to keep my mind open to exploring new paths and opportunities. CHS introduced me to the graphic design field, so without that I wouldn't be where I am today. The mentorship program senior year was also instrumental because it was my first time getting real world work experience in my field.
ANDI LEIBOWITZ, ‘13
Product
Designer,Sermo
CHS taught me about the art of storytelling, a skill that has benefited me in business school and during my professional experiences. Whether it be leveraging knowledge from CHS’s design, film, or English classes, the ability to creatively position and showcase yourself and your work is very valuable in multiple areas of life.
ALEXANDRA WEITZMAN, ‘19
Research Analyst, Paramount Network
The most important thing CHS taught me was that storytelling and journalism can take so many different forms. Having a base knowledge in writing, design, video and broadcast was so helpful going into college.
KELLY HOOPER ‘16
Health Care Reporter, POLITICO
I was able to develop a widerange of skills and knowledge before I stepped foot into college. I was in the honors program at Fordham University, and felt wellprepared for my core coursework. Having relevant industry experience and portfolio examples also helped me get that first internship in NYC.
Former Founding Team + SVP of Marketing, Attentive BROOKE BURDGE ’06
CHS was an excellent foundation for my undergraduate applications and the dual-enrollment credits helped me advance through my B.A. faster.
EMILY RATHBURN ’15
Attorney / Judicial Law Clerk
New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division (present through Oct. 2024); then Constitutional Court of South Africa (Jan. 2025-June 2025); then U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut (Sept. 2025-Sept. 2027)
CHS taught me the importance of attention to detail and accountability. Whether in class or group projects, I learned that precision and communication are key. These skills have been invaluable in my career as a pharmacist, where accuracy and teamwork ensure patient safety and quality care.
Senior Director of Quality
Revive Rx Pharmacy GINA (STORNELLI) AVALONE ’11
oday, we salute the credible efforts and edication of workers verywhere."
CHS taught me to be creative, in all aspects. Every problem has a default, ordinary solution. But how can you solve it in a unique and creative way? CHS taught me to not only think outside of the box, but beyond the box entirely CHS was excellent for career preparedness. Leaving high school not only with work experience and connections but also my first resume, public speaking experience, and interview training, was absolutely priceless.
TANNER RICHARDETT ‘16
Audience Services Manager
Arden Theatre Company
I really valued my time there. Even the specific courses like film and TV dove so deep from the technical aspects to the theory. I used the alumni network and the care + consideration from my teachers to confirm what college was right for me.There are so many niche courses to choose from which help you figure out your strong suits and what path may be best for you.
AbbitSkorupski‘14
Script Supervisor / Associate Director
focused, passionate, valuable
CHS gave me early exposure to A/V technology, which put me ahead of my peers in college and beyond. CHS taught me to thrive in group projects, which is invaluable in the production world.
IAN
ELLIOTT ‘09 Executive AV Engineer, HSBC
CHS taught me the best ways to explore my creativity and fostered my love for film and photography.
Compared to my college peers, I had extensive experience in content creation and postproduction, which helped me succeed in my classes and earn internships.
EMILY MCNEILL ‘19 Associate Photographer, Fisher-Price
