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Tacony Academy Charter A + Nick Wryter · AccessCo Leaders Career Conversations

• speaker-0: Welcome back to AccessCo Leaders Career Conversations. I'm Ilyne. get to co-host this session with our incredible students from Taconia Academy Charter High School. guest today is Nick Wryter, who is the Principal Product Manager at Microsoft. Welcome to the show, Nick. speaker-1: Hi Ilyne, how you doing? speaker-0: I'm well, thank you. Can you tell us in the simplest way how to explain what you do as a principal product manager at Microsoft? speaker-1: simplest way. Well, working products is never so simple, but I think the simplest way I could put it is have you ever had an idea to create something online, right? Or any anywhere? Well, I get to basically design that with ones and zeros, basically with, you know, code ⁓ and basically getting a design from start to finish for how people are going to use that thing that you thought about. So that's what I get to do. I work with within Microsoft security. work on identity specifically. speaker-0: Whoa, okay, so ones and zeros, it all comes together to a product that somebody's asked for that you get to design. speaker-1: Well, that's actually not true. think it's usually, Microsoft, we have to design what people haven't even thought about. So I'll give a perfect example. Today, most of you might have something called the multi-factor authentication, right? So when you try to log in, you get prompted with this phone number or on your phone, there's an app and you hit this button that scans your face doing facial detection. Well, we built that, right? We have to think through that whole end-to-end use case to build that, right? So that's what I get to do. That's of our... Yeah. speaker-0: incredible. Incredible, Nick. Okay, so tell us, where did you grow up and where are based now? speaker-1: great. ⁓ I was initially born in Ghana. So my parents are both Ghanaian. My mom basically to the US when I was about 13. My dad is an eye surgeon. He ⁓ used work for the American Red Cross. That's how I came to America. speaker-0: Awesome. then right now. speaker-1: I guess you asked, you asked, where am I now? I'm in Virginia. I live in Burke, Burke, Virginia. speaker-0: So right out in the D.C. How many brothers and sisters do you have and where where do you fall in that line? speaker-1: the scene. I have two brothers and one sister Aniyah'm second born. speaker-0: That's right. I remember how important family is to you. we go back to that, in middle school and high school, what kept you busy? What were you doing? speaker-1: Well, you know, for anybody that comes from an ⁓ family like mine, in middle school, ⁓ was just coming to the US. So I was in boarding schools in ⁓ Actually, I was in Ghana. I think I was probably somewhere in like Cameroon because my dad is an American ⁓ Red Cross surgeon. We moved around little places in Africa. And I think we were just ⁓ immigrating the US when I was, you know, in middle school. So that was actually a shock for me, but I mean, obviously I was in boarding school all my life. went to all the private schools because my dad just wanted us to ⁓ and stuff like that. speaker-0: Awesome. So were you involved in sports and clubs and music? Tell us a little bit about that. speaker-1: Yeah, I played some sports. played soccer. play striker, Aniyah played some football. But I'm of a geek. I ⁓ was always, though I played sports, was always watching anime ⁓ or like, ⁓ don't know, a of video games. That's what I do. speaker-0: Okay, so because Nick Aniyah go way back, we have known each other for several, several years here now. I can see how you were involved, you're a self-proclaimed geek. liked all the techie things, but you did play sports and you had a lot of friends and you had to figure out how to shift from being in Ghana in boarding school to being in the US and starting middle school and going into high school. How does all of that, the social aspect and. having to shift your life, have to do with what you're doing nowadays, working with people and discovering and coming up with some new things with Microsoft. speaker-1: Yeah, so I had to be pretty resilient when I came in, right? So I was a pretty awkward kid, I would like to say, or sheltered kid. Like my parents didn't let us do much when we came to the US. I actually grew up in Peejee County. So if you know anything about Peejee County, Maryland, it's an area that it's not the best neighborhoods. And so my mom was okay with us playing video games because he kept us in the house, right? But what it did was it actually taught me a little bit of a way to... interact with people. So I have to like watch and observe people, right? That's one. And I think, you know, as an awkward kid who doesn't have the friends and would get teased or whatever in middle school or high school, one of the ways that I coped with it was through video games. And I actually still have some of those video game friends till today. Like I've actually met them. I've flown across the nation to go meet with them. And even though I couldn't connect with people face to face, cause I was just new and awkward, I a way to do it through the internet. ⁓ is what I'll say. speaker-0: Safely, you did it safely. ⁓ I am on the screen now with our students from Tacony. And I've had several opportunities to meet with some of the other students from Tacony. So I do relate to that, being able to get be on the other side of the screen and seeing people in person. So that said, I want to go ahead and hand it over to the students and have them interview you with a couple of questions. Let's off with Aiyana. I saw you nodding your head. You know a little bit about Prince George's County. What's your first question for Nick? speaker-1: Safe from safe from safe from speaker-2: That's speaker-3: ⁓ My first question for Nick is I noticed that you went to Coppin State. How do you feel ⁓ like that shaped you to who you are today? Like what what specific way Coppin helped you form into person you are today? speaker-1: What a great question. So I went to Coppin State Aniyah actually intentionally chose Coppin State simply because one, ⁓ got free ride even though I bombed it, but I went to for mathematics. ⁓ And so I a scholarship going there and it was one of the cheapest place I could go to school. So I was like, they're gonna pay for me to go to school. I don't have any debt Aniyah'm doing mathematics. They had a really great science and tech program and they have a very, very prestige nursing program at Coppin State. So it's like. Most people don't know about those things, but when you actually start going to the schools, like you start recognizing what people are known for. So if you look across the portfolio of people that graduated from Coppin, there are a lot of me's out there the regular world because their science and tech programs are great and especially nursing. Like if you just want to up and do nursing, they have a great, fantastic nursing and you get to actually work at John which lots of nurses don't get that exposure to. John Hopkins is known for their doctors. So Aiyana, that's what I'll say about, that's why I chose it. ⁓ The teachers were fantastic. And if you know anything about HBCUs, I feel like there's a pride to it. So the professors, they didn't let me slack, even though, know, come 11th, when I was almost, my sophomore year of college, I had to, you my life changed a little bit. I'll just put it that way. speaker-0: I think we saw you join the military and then you took off in your career. I'll let the other students come up with some questions about that, but they did see that in your bio. Let's go to Blake. What's your first question? speaker-3: Okay, I would like know, was, ⁓ how would the media you induced, ⁓ as benefited you and what specific speaker-1: Media, huh. Okay, well, I'll say this. When I was younger, I was always glued to, you know, like I like robotics. It's probably very weird. And I was always glued to mathematics. So media, always found like articles that were talking about what's coming up next. What's up in technology? What are some things that people are working on that kind of blows our mind? So I think... back in when I was in college in 2006, that's when they were talking about this whole artificial intelligence stuff. Like everybody was like, oh, that might be it. But I already knew that artificial intelligence existed in 2006. So today when I hear about the implementation of AI, I'm not shocked because I was glued into the media of what people were thinking of. And they have these pockets in these communities. If you find like a safe article to follow. You can absolutely find those things online today. And with the speed of AI, that's just a search, chat, GPT search away. That's what I'd say with media. speaker-0: Excellent. Excellent. All right. Let's go to Genevieve, your first question. speaker-3: So was this job, was this career always your first choice growing up? speaker-1: it wasn't. I wanted to be a pilot when I was a kid, ⁓ all honesty. It wasn't. And the way that I feel like it changed was a few things, right? Obviously, I was one of the folks that joined the military. And in the military, I did something called combat engineer. Basically, a simple way to say that is some people in the military who, if you need to clear a road, so if you need to get from point A to point B and that road has a bunch of stuff on it and you want to clear it, we're the guys they sent in to clear that, right? That's what I did in the military. So it had nothing to do with what I do now. However, I believe my upbringing and basically being around certain types of people and environments and just my work ethic is what changed where I wanted to be. Because when I went to school, I went to school for mathematics Aniyah wanted to go into finance. I liked money. So I was like, let me go into finance and try to make some money. Maybe I can get to the New York Stock Exchange so can make baller money. But then ⁓ someone like, hey, do you kind of want to work? and do the system admins thing. And I was like, yeah, sure, why not? And because of my background in the military Aniyah had like something they call security clearance when you actually are trusted with national security documents, I was like, okay, I'll do this thing. And that transitioned into, okay, I'm starting to work with computers. I'm starting to work with people. And my first job was really to identify and make sure you are who you say you are, right? To prove that you are who you say you are. And what I did was I actually took that and said, I actually care about the identity of people because identity is something no one can take away. Like your identity, Genevieve, is your identity. Nobody can take that away from you. And so when you think about that and you think about what you want to do, those things come and kind of start matching together. And that's a passionate part of my life. I mean, I Ilyne can tell you more and more of our story, but one of my biggest passions is ⁓ sure people like or anyone that I meet get to know that you are who you say you are. And it's because you were created that way. Like one can take that away from you. Like nobody. So I'll leave it there. speaker-0: Yeah, Nick, I love that you described how you had that conversation by accident, right? Like, sure, I'll do that job, sure. And it turned out to be something that worked out for you. What we're doing with Access Co is having those conversations on purpose. So thanks for being here and being a guest and sharing our story. Let's go to Max. Max, what is your first question? speaker-3: During your school years, what would you say your biggest motivation was growing up and would you say it ⁓ shaped for who you are today? speaker-1: I was lazy Max. I'm not going to lie to you. was. ⁓ I say with the Y lazy, if I'm not just laying around, not doing anything, just play me against, I didn't want to. I don't want to hear it. but I did have a neck ⁓ Aniyah a work ethic. So my mom always would say this crazy phrase and his neck is not left me yet. She was like, I'm okay with you complaining as long as you don't quit. So what, what I by that is. speaker-4: Daisy speaker-1: Like obviously you can complain about the things that you want to do or not want to do, but if you quit, that's not the right place to start. Right. And you know, I followed this lady. She always also says this thing. She said, it's never too late to begin again. So even if you start something and it sucks, it's never too late to begin again. And I've made that the mantra of my life. And that causes me to like work hard and figure it out. Even if I bomb it, like, even if I just go in and just like, man, you totally like sucked at this. It's never too late to begin again. And. It's okay to complain as long as you don't quit. That's been my thing. speaker-0: Thanks, Nick. You just made me feel a lot better about, know, I do have some criticisms. I do have a certain standard. complaining just to complain, ⁓ I'm not going to quit either. So appreciate that wisdom. All right, Veronica, what do you have for Nick? speaker-3: You mentioned that when you were younger, were ⁓ on anime and video games and that your passion is to make sure ⁓ say who you are. Do you think that motivates your position in Microsoft right now? speaker-1: Oh, 100%. Like I am myself Aniyah don't know if you guys can tell I'm like a character. Like I'm like, I feel like I'm just anime character. Even though I hold like a, you know, a high level position in Microsoft doing things, I still am the same guy. Like I show up like this on stage when I'm presenting them on my own products. And I think I picked that up from watching anime 100%. But I would say obviously you need some polish and you need to be able to be comfortable in who you are. And when you become comfortable in who you are, the way that you express it just comes out naturally. I don't have to fake it. This is me. Like Ilyne knows this. Like she knows who exactly who I am. I am me everywhere. And I ⁓ apologize for it, but I think you shape it and you figure out, in what environment, how do you actually operate? And then you just, you know, move forward with who you are, but just don't change who you are. And I think again, ⁓ past shaped my character and my quirks. speaker-0: And you're still successful. So no matter how big, you know, capital L and capital Y lazy you were, you were just out living your best life and you are still successful. You are a father, a husband, and doing big things with Microsoft. So we are grateful that you are here with us today. Let's invite Anna for your first question with Nick. speaker-3: Do you believe that AI is an issue when it comes to creating advances in technology, or do you think it benefits you in some type of way? speaker-1: What a great question. And I actually am so passionate about the question you just asked that I sit on a board at Microsoft to make sure we don't do anything crazy in my, you know, do the things that make everyone feels like icky about artificial intelligence. I'll answer your question. I'm not trying to like dodge it. Just ⁓ your question. I think everything has a purpose, especially tools, right? And especially people, like people, us as humans, we are created. with a purpose and for a specific reason. So think of artificial intelligence today as a tool that you have. If I have a hammer Aniyah have a nail, I can use that hammer to use the nail if I'm building a house or if I'm doing something. I believe there's scarce, like people are worried about AI because yes, it poses a threat of replacing some maybe mundane type jobs like, I don't know. summarizing certain things or like being an executive assistant for helping you with that. But I believe this, I believe if you're not learning to use the tool, then you will not be, you will not really understand what the tool is meant to do or what the tool was meant to actually help you with. And feel like that's ⁓ the and tension that we live with because everything could be scary. Like you can look at it and say, the internet is scary today. But does that stop you from using it? It's a tool, right? Like you can go on the internet to do certain things, but are you get on the other, the flip side of the coin is, there bad guys on the internet? They're trying to do stuff to intentionally make it malicious and unsafe for you. Absolutely. The same thing happens with AI, right? There are things about it that you can think about it in the negative way that would say, well, I don't know if it's, if it's really good for humanity or for you in all honesty, I believe is just a tool is just another. buzzword in my world, that's what I like to call it. speaker-0: thank you for bringing up that point about AI that like, it's there you should probably try to start using it if you're not already. If not, it's a hammer and a nail and it's a resource and it's a tool. So thank you for that, Vinessa Aniyah are smiling because every session AI comes up. and we appreciate the honesty about AI. go, who's next? Aniyah. speaker-3: I wanted to know what did you do to help you continue going in life? Like what was your motivation? speaker-1: Ha, so remember I talked a little bit about identity. It wasn't until I found identity in God that my life changed. I'm not gonna lie to you. Like I have had a lot of fun when I was younger. I've done lots of things. I like to call them like stupid things in many ways, but I say not until I actually got to a place where I said, oh man, enough is enough. I can't do this life thing by myself. And the way that it came up was, it was very simple. I went to church Aniyah just knew, ⁓ don't know what it was. I just knew like God encountered me in the way that I need to be encountered. And I believe if you go looking and he wants to encounter you, he That's how it came for me. It was very natural. I didn't have to try to go anywhere. It was like, I don't have to do anything for it. It was just like, I just got it encountered. And it came from a whisper from someone who was like, hey, I think you should just go to church while I was like in the clubs, like living my best life. ⁓ speaker-0: That's right. Thank you for sharing that faith was a big pivot and a milestone for you and the trajectory in your career and you personally, what did you learn in those challenges and the good times and the and the living your best life? What what lessons did you learn in that season of your life that you apply to today? speaker-3: Bye. speaker-1: Yeah, I would say things happen in our lives not because there is somebody who has faith or not have faith. Like we just live in a world where people are gonna be people. in my experiences, what I've learned is they're kind people, they're unkind people, they're nice people, they're not so nice people. And who am I going to be in that space is the biggest question that I think I needed to answer for myself. And in that space, I was not living as Nick. I was living as a, was covering as somebody who I wasn't because I wanted to impress those people around me. I wanted to do things to be liked. I wanted to fit in because I was this awkward kid. Remember I told you about that. Like I was just awkward kids. So I was always doing things to kind of fit in. And what I learned was it became very tiring to do those things. And not until I got to a place of saying, okay, enough is enough. I can't do this faking anymore. If you're like me, fine. If you're not gonna like me, fine. Like, we'll figure this out. That's when I saw things actually change because I was able to walk in who I was created to be and who I am. And that basically start, I could see the change. And I'm not to say, ⁓ the bad times, even the bad times, I would say this, I was still who I was in the bad times. Like I still knew Nick was still in here somewhere, even though it felt like yucky and like I was struggling with, you know, finding a place to live and stuff like that. Like it was just. I was still me, right? Like it wasn't like I was not me. I was still me. Right. So. speaker-0: Thank you, Nick, for sharing that that time of your life. And I still think you're a cool dude. So this is why we were friends. you. Even the geek growing up could still be the really cool dude out there. We're coming back to you, Aiyana. What's your next question? speaker-3: My next question is, can you tell us about what Smartcard Alliance is and why you're a part of it? speaker-1: Ha, Smartcard Alliance is it. So you know, how about this? Do you have a credit card Aiyana? Awesome. So you know the little chip that's on the credit card. It's called an intricate circuit. here comes the geek Nick coming up. ⁓ I'll explain it. ⁓ basically a bunch of people that sit together and ⁓ the little, the thing that happens with that intricate circuit is basically a mini computer. It charges when it touches a reader. The reader is basically if you swipe your card or you insert it anywhere, right? It basically like shocks to life in that. within those couple of seconds, there's actually communication happening with that microchip. So there's a bunch of people that talk about how do we make this safe so that nobody can spoof it and what kind of cryptographic algorithms that we can put on it. Basically huge password that nobody can like decrypt or break. That's simple terms. That's what happens. I sit on a board that basically makes sure that's safe for you and the whole world to use. That's what that is. speaker-0: Well, we appreciate that Nick, because now we just tap our phones, tap our watch on things and your ⁓ makes that happen. So thank you. Makes it happen safely. right. That's ⁓ Let's go back to Blake. What do you have for Nick? speaker-1: Safe way, safe way. speaker-3: Considering your background, what would you say your biggest difficulty of up? speaker-1: would say my biggest difficulty was myself. Like ⁓ just, if every time I think about that reflection point, I'm like, if I could just get out of my own way and just like, would have avoided so many hurdles. And, and, ⁓ the thing that I learned after through the stuff that I went through Blake was I have to, you have to be quick to listen, man. Like people say things to you got to be quick, quick to listen. And actually, you know, do what they say and seek out people who are looking out for you or people who are intentional in your life and get away from the people that are not intentional. You're like always trying to knock on their door and they're just like, I'll have time for you type deal. Like if you're quick to listen and actually take into effect what people say and get out of your own way, I think that's the one thing that I'll do. if I was reflecting, that's what I'd say. speaker-0: Awesome question. Thank you. Thank you, Blake, for asking that. Let's go back to Genevieve. speaker-3: So how were you able to balance your personal life from your work life? speaker-1: That's still a struggle, Genevieve. very hard, right? Because I work home. My wife basically made a decision to take care of the kids, because I have young kids. They're like five and eight wonderful kids, but you need someone to help bring them up before they get into school, et cetera. And work-life balance is very difficult to do, especially if you're in a demanding position like mine. Like Microsoft, if the world goes off, if you can't use your... credit card to buy something or if you can't prove that you are who you say you are, people are losing money and that causes the whole world to stop and go, what's going on? So even though that's important, it's all about the people that you have in your life Genevieve. And I'll say this, I in that area of work-life balance, but things that like to do, my wife doesn't really approve of it, but I'm just like, I'm waiting for the next vacation. You know what I'm saying? Like I'm looking forward to the next. And I know my next vacation right now, I've been working like a lot, is going to be up in April, like the last week of March and April. I'm taking two weeks off. I'm gonna hang out with the kids and taking them to New York. We're gonna do some fun things. So I'm looking forward to that. That's how I kinda weigh it, even though I think it's not the best approach. speaker-0: Hey Nick, you all learning every day and you didn't say that you're sitting around just playing video games. So appreciate that you're out there with your family. ⁓ question, Genevieve. All right, let's go back to Max. speaker-3: was the most important lesson you learned in Microsoft? speaker-1: I think the most important lesson I learned in Microsoft is, I'll say this, is what I talked about identity. Like no one can take that away from you. We live in a world of Microsoft where there's a lot of layoffs happening. So that's a reality that's happening. A lot of organizations, people have spent like 20 years or more working here at Microsoft. And so that becomes, some people look at that and that becomes part of them. They ⁓ find their in the work that they do. A wise person once told me we are human beings, not human doings. A human being is who you are. Nobody can take you away. A human doing is what you actually say you want to do. And so like Max, what I'll say is my biggest lesson is like, no matter which path you take, don't allow whatever you do to become who you are or your being. So don't be a human doing, be a human being is what I'll say. speaker-0: There go. That's good. That's good. All right, Veronica, back to you. speaker-3: feel like I didn't really have another question besides, ⁓ your experience at boarding school, because ⁓ schools like that could really impact how you view life socially. speaker-1: the world. Yeah, mean, Veronica, that's what made me kind of like socially awkward because I was like, you know, you're shipped away from your parents. And if you watch any movies, Veronica, it's like, ⁓ go to school is like the biggest punishment ever. Well, in other parts of the world is not that big of a shock. Like, that's a very normal thing. Like in the UK, that's a very normal thing. People grow up going to boarding schools and it's it's like a that people do. And so in that part of the world, it wasn't super shocking for me. speaker-6: board speaker-1: However, it did make me kind of awkward because I didn't know how to act when I moved from that realm to the United States where that's not normal. Like going to boarding school is not normal here. So, and again, that's what kind of made me resilient because it's like, I had to like learn to be in that world, learn to be in this world and then figure out what's my path going to look like. that's all I'll say. Great question. You made me go speaker-0: Yeah, they. Well, let me tell you, you still got a couple more students to interview you and then we're going to flip the script. So let's get back to ⁓ Anna. Anna, what's your next question? speaker-3: next question is what advice do have for young adults going into college who want to be in the STEM field? speaker-1: Yeah, so my biggest thing ⁓ for anyone that wants to be in the STEM field is there's so many resources out there, so many, like what can you do now that's gonna actually propel you for the future? I'll give you an example. If you're interested in a specific topic like artificial intelligence, or if you just like data, so you just wanna do data analytics, or if you just wanna do security, you wanna make sure people not hacked, there's so many resources out there. All you have to do is a Google search or a chat search away. You can learn all about that now. You can get some certifications. You can get all of those things. There are programs at Microsoft today. You can look it up. you're younger and you weren't going to college, you can basically go take a certification for free. And that's something I'm happy to help you guys with. Like if anybody wants to do that, happy to figure out what that path is for you to learn a little bit more or just... get certified in an area that you're just getting what I like to call just elementary or just very basic information about just to see if you like it or not. And you just get a cert just because you did a program and you took some tests Aniyah give you a voucher to go take the test you pass it. You got something on your belt now. So when you go into that STEM field you're not only starting from ground zero you start having other things. So that's it. speaker-0: Super practical. That's such good wisdom there, Nick. Thank you. All right, Aniyah, you're up. speaker-3: I wanted to ask what is one goal or something that you kept in your mind that you wanted to accomplish while growing up? Like something, a rule you set for yourself. speaker-1: think it goes to what my mom was saying. Just never quit. just, I just, I'm just, I'm just not a quitter, man. Like, Aniyah, thing that I've kept very in the back of my mind is look, there might be things that I'm good at. There might be things I'm not good at. as long as you do your best and you show up, like presence is everything show up and do your best. I've always done that in any space that I am in. And I'm passionate about certain things. Just show up and do your best and just don't quit and just don't like give up, you That's what I'll say. speaker-0: Don't give up. right. Well, I do know we're going to flip the script here a little bit. We've got Aniyah. She just asked that brilliant question. And speaking of asking questions, Aniyah is interested in being an occupational therapist or maybe even in psychology because ⁓ she her family and she wants to more about about some of the behaviors from her younger cousins and how she can be involved that. And I wanted you to share with Nick a little bit. what you would like to do. She's in the 10th grade and already has a direction of where she wants to go. speaker-1: That's awesome. speaker-3: So I usually babysit younger cousins and my younger sibling ⁓ has autism Aniyah to realize the more I babysat them that their minds the way they work are completely different compared to us ⁓ which is something usually know but they work in a way where they actually tend to be smarter and they do things and act in ways that other people don't when it comes to numbers, letters, reading, anything in general. So, you know, I've been wanting to learn the way that their mind works and it's just something I've always been interested in. speaker-1: That's so great. There definitely needs to be more people thinking about those things. Because when I interact with my kids, I don't really think about that. I'm just like, get up and go do this, or go do Y, or come on. So yeah, I'm glad that there are people that do stuff like this. Because I really believe there's so much, that is so good. My brain doesn't work that way, Aniyah. So when I hear people who actually have a passion for this, I'm like, thank you. Thank you for somebody thinking about that. So that's awesome. speaker-0: Yes, yes. And another student, Aiyana, is also interested in helping people. And you kind of brought it up, Nick, in your alma mater and undergrad in nursing. So Aiyana is interested in nursing. She's in the 12th grade. So Nick, do you have any ⁓ encouragement or wisdom to share with Aiyana, especially with that undergrad connection and ⁓ a school that's really focused on nursing. speaker-3: have input on Coppin speaker-0: Yeah, going on a speaker-1: I want to hear, I want to hear now. speaker-3: I really do like love Coppin. Every time I visit, I sit in with the president. We probably talk for maybe an hour or two. Like I have a good relationship with him. But on the other hand, their communication It could get better. And their nursing program is pre-nursing. I don't like competition when it comes to college because I feel as though that- I feel as though that I worked so hard, like all my accomplishments added up so that I already worked hard enough and I feel like if it's not direct entry, I don't want it. Cause I shouldn't have to prove myself to more people day to day. Like after I understand that's how it is in life, but I don't want to compete for a national program. I don't have to secure a spot. Like I don't, I'm not sure about that. It's a good school. I really like the school, speaker-1: Yeah, this is what I'll say. Look, I mean, I think ⁓ basically have heard this from lots of different people. Like you even mentioned, like, you know, that's how life is. That's not look, I would say this is a ⁓ obstacle will continuously come up in different ways in your life. Like it's just, it's just what is it, what it is. Right. And I'm a firm believer that the obstacle is actually the way. So what do I mean by that? I believe you standing up and say, don't want to compete for this and that. There might be a way that you're paving there. my encouragement to you is, Do it, what's wrong with just doing it versus you doing it, right? Whether you do it or you don't do it, what do you lose in that? Do you want to go be in the nursing program? Do you wanna enjoy what they have to offer? Like, what do you have to lose is my main question I'll ask for you to ponder, right? speaker-0: That's good. That's good. speaker-3: But to add, remember I called and talked to the president. I went up there formally and talked to him and he said he'd send out my financial aid letter before I make my final decision and that I was telling him what the other option was for school and he has to send it. So I don't think I want to live and dabble in that. It's a really good school. Like, I'm not sure about everything that's going on. But yeah. speaker-1: Yeah, my encouragement is look, go back to my two things, right? Just don't quit on it. speaker-0: Don't quit. That's good. And you know what, Ayana? I love the confidence that you have in what you're walking through and being able to see an opportunity in network to share with somebody and being able to articulate that so well. So good for you, Ayana. It's your senior year and this is your next step. So that is important. So thank you for sharing that and that you had this opportunity. Blake, you're next. Nick, Blake is our senior. Another one of our seniors. He has three different universities that he's He's considering like, why don't you share with Nick some of your decision points or what's next for you? speaker-3: So for my decision points, main things would be extracurriculars, ⁓ actual programs I applied for, as well as the financial aid that they have given me. for, for life after school, would just be pushing forward with business or just freelance. speaker-1: No, no, you're good. You're good, Blake. speaker-3: My psychologists would be that of Albright, Newman, and Temple. speaker-1: Awesome. Yeah. That's all good choices. speaker-0: Yeah, Nick, if you were a senior at this point, right, like Blake, how and he has six weeks to make this decision. Do you have any encouragement or some wisdom to share with him as he comes up to the decision making timeline? speaker-1: Yeah, I'll just say Blake, mean, just look at the options that are in front of you, right? Especially if the school providing what you need as a basic necessity is what I like to call it. That's one of the reasons why I chose Coppin. ⁓ got a free ride. I didn't have to have student loans for, you know, that people accumulate and I can still get the education. Yes, that's a good decision. You want to think and say, okay, I like this part. I don't like this part. And then just weigh your pros and cons. I mean, that's just basic encouragement I'll give you. pros and cons. However, do you actually see who you are in some of those schools? I think that's a good resource that you could also do for yourself. Remember, I told you, never your identity away. Like that is who you've been created, God has created you to be a person. Make sure that's very true to who you are. And then when you visit those schools, just try to get a sense of what that looks like. That's what I'd say. ⁓ speaker-0: ⁓ I like that. Do you see yourself there? That's super important. Good, very practical. And then we have Genevieve. So ⁓ Genevieve, why don't you share a little bit with Nick what you would like to do when you're done with high school see if Nick has any wisdom or encouragement to share with you. speaker-3: So after high school, I plan on going for my nursing degree. I'm more focused in the medical field. I want to be a labor and delivery nurse. speaker-1: That is awesome. Genevieve, look, I think that's so great. My sister's a nurse. My dad's a doctor, as I told you. I've always grown around like medical professionals. I just can't do it. just can't. But I would say my encouragement for you, Genevieve, especially as you're looking to this in the next step is, you know, I think being a nurse always comes from a place of care. And it's very, very easy for you to not care for yourself. My encouragement is in the same way you want to care for others, especially a new board, a new child, has to be ⁓ passion about you that speaks that language to why you want to do that. Can you find that in yourself is what I would say. What is it about, you know, being part of the people that deliver new babies? And just put it to, okay, what is it about me that is about like newness that I can actually hone in on? Because that's who you are. Like I can see even the way you talk. Like I can see you me to be a little bit more gentler. Cause I can tell like you're just very like calm and that's what babies need. That's who you are, right? So my encouragement is how do you find that in yourself and how do you give grace to yourself in those areas where sometimes ⁓ you not be like that for your own self. You're good for other people, but not for your own self. So that's what I'll say. can tell, can tell. You're vibing. I can I can tell like she's like that. ⁓ speaker-0: That's encouragement, Nick. I'm going to hop over to another senior so we can spend a minute or two with Veronica. Veronica's graduating this year and has some specific ideas on what she wants to do in the next couple of months after she graduates. Veronica, why don't share with Nick what you plan on doing? speaker-3: After high school, I'm either planning to go directly into carpentry or taking a small break just to live out my life a little bit. I don't really agree with the idea of going straight into schooling after high school simply because it's a huge idea and I'm gonna be honest, it's for financial reasons too. So yeah, that's why I'm interested in carpentry. I'm really good with working with my hands and I like speaker-1: Yeah. speaker-3: being able to visually see and feel the things that. speaker-1: well, that's great. ⁓ say this, Veronica. Look, if you already know this, carpentry also a trade school, right? Something that you can ⁓ absolutely and build the business around. So, be encouraged push through that. But then what about some areas that maybe you can put your hands through that you haven't explored yet? So even though the option, you're like, yeah, that's not what I kind of want to do. Have you knocked on that door before to say, what would it actually look like? if were to go to college. Like, I mean, have you explored that or you just are saying, I don't want to do that. So I'm not going to explore that. My encouragement is if you haven't, you don't have to answer that, right? With me, if you haven't, like sometimes there's some doors that you might be like quickly peek in, you just peek, right? You don't have to go in, you just quickly like peek-a-boo and close it because that's not something you want to do because you want to use your hands, but there, and I'll also encourage you in this way, in the era of AI, speaker-6: Sorry. speaker-1: Like one of the really cool things to do is to be in trade because people are still gonna want nice and beautiful chairs and then want all the decorations in their house and look great. So I encourage you, please press into that, but don't be scared to open that door, right? Like I feel like, you know, and financial reasons can be a big thing, but you never know. Like it easily be ⁓ an for you. So that's my encouragement for you. speaker-0: love that perspective. Just open the door real quick, take a peek and keep it moving. So that's a great, great encouragement, for you. Let's ⁓ a little shifting here. Max, we had to fly through this conversation. What did you pick up today from our session with Nick? speaker-3: To be honest, Nick is like someone I can really connect to. Especially during his school years, his description basically is one to one. But to honest, the fact that I have like motivation to just keep pushing on to try and be a vet, which is something that's really complicated when it comes down to ⁓ thinking about where you want to go, what type of like medical you want to do. But to be honest, I'm just really trying to just push through and figure it out along the way. speaker-0: Yeah, take mama writer's advice. Just you can complain all you want. Don't quit. That's it. Max, I did see you, you know, really nodding your head and really enjoying Nick sharing about his younger years living his best life. So I could see you guys hanging, hanging with the same kinds of crowds there. But again, you're having these conversations on purpose. So we're going to keep you, you know, on the right track, like Nick, very successful. Anna, what about you? What did you pick up on our conversation today? speaker-3: actually, I would say this is probably one of my favorite ones I've done so far because he with things that like our generation like deals with like internet and like new technology and stuff like that. And he also has like a very bubbly personality, but also is very honest, which I also really respect that as well. I also like, I very cherish that, especially the people I talk to. So I would say that it was probably one of my favorite ones I've done so far. speaker-0: Look, I can't even make that up. I can't make that up. All right, I see. speaker-1: You're wearing that Philly jersey though. I don't like that, but it's all good. speaker-3: Who do you like? speaker-0: I'll let you He doesn't want to say it, but you can't, can't see that far in your background, but he did grow up in Maryland. And I think that that background is a little purple, so you can choose a team there. another bird. All Mr. Smith, we do have a couple of minutes here. What, we're coming ⁓ to the end this, ⁓ of your academic with our Tacony students. What, what have you seen with the variety of guests that you're having, especially somebody like Nick? that is so relatable to our students today. speaker-8: I'm always impressed with the guests that we have on, will say ⁓ brings the personality, brings the honesty, and I'd like to say the motivation as well. A lot of times we'll hear people are like, yeah, I was very studious in school. Nick's like, I was lazy, ⁓ but I kept going. ⁓ And I I was a slacker in high school. I procrastinated because the of procrastination was what I needed to motivate me to get stuff done. I would never admit this to my students normally, but you know. But I also learned that I could only do that to a point and then the time management thing became critical because of making I had enough time to actually get done when I needed to get done. So I appreciate the okay with you complaining as long as you don't quit from mama Wryter That's awesome. And I also... speaker-3: Like. speaker-8: fact that you found your identity in your way and on your terms in your time and afraid to embrace and talk about that, I think is huge. ⁓ Because sometimes are afraid to talk about their own religious experiences because they're afraid that they're going to be off putting and things like that. But it wasn't like were trying to exclude. It was like, this was your personal journey. And I appreciate your honesty and your willingness to explain this. speaker-0: That's good, Mr. Smith. we're down to our last minute. If have any final words of encouragement or for our students at Tacony. speaker-1: Seniors, find me on LinkedIn. If your LinkedIn sucks, I'm gonna actually tell you to improve it. Find me on LinkedIn. Aiyana is already steps ahead. She already pinged me on LinkedIn, I could tell. Okay, seniors, yeah. And if there's anything I can do to give back, please just let me know. Especially those who are passionate about tech. I have so many resources, I can't even imagine. I just wanna give them all away. And there are definitely things that I might be able to have access to. that I can make available for you as well. So let me know how I can help you grow and let me know how I can make you be the best you, because there's only one of you and you have to be the best version of that person whenever you show up. That's what I'll say. speaker-0: What a huge gift for our class at Tacony. remind us, what is that website, your dot com of your company? speaker-7: You speaker-1: Well, that's a side project. We're not going to do the dot com just yet. It's just a side project. It's not built yet. I'm still working on it. But I'll it later. Just add me on LinkedIn. speaker-6: Just, just, ⁓ speaker-0: Awesome, well, we'll find you on LinkedIn, but in the meantime, Nick Wryter, the Principal Product Manager at Microsoft. you so much for being a guest and our student co-hosts from Tacony, including Annamarie, or Anna, Genevieve, Aniyah, Aiyana, Veronica, and Blake, and of course, Mr. Smith. Thanks so much. We'll see you next time on AccessCo Leaders. speaker-1: Bye bye.