The Center for Career Development strives to inspire and prepare all BMCC students and alumni to make informed decisions about their careers through counseling, teaching, and connection to networking opportunities.
Driada Rivas, Interim Director of Career Services
Driada has worked at City University of New York since 1999. She joined the BMCC Center for Career Development in 2007. She previously worked at Bronx Community College (BCC) as the Cooperative Work Experience/Internship Coordinator and was promoted to coordinator of Career Planning and Placement. She holds a Master’s degree in Science with a dual concentration in Counseling and Personnel Services and a Bachelor’s degree in Science with a concentration in Sociology from Fordham University. Driada was the job placement coordinator at the Career Planning and Placement Office at her alma mater from 1996-1999. Driada has 22 years of experience in the career development field.
Driada has worked at City University of New York since 1999. She joined the BMCC Center for Career Development in 2007. She previously worked at Bronx Community College (BCC) as the Cooperative Work Experience/Internship Coordinator and was promoted to coordinator of Career Planning and Placement. She holds a Master’s degree in Science with a dual concentration in Counseling and Personnel Services and a Bachelor’s degree in Science with a concentration in Sociology from Fordham University. Driada was the job placement coordinator at the Career Planning and Placement Office at her alma mater from 1996-1999. Driada has 22 years of experience in the career development field.
- Meets with: All students
- Remote Appointments: Monday – Friday
- In-Person Appointments: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
Jay Robert Francisco, Senior Career Advisor
Jay Robert Francisco joined the Center for Career Development in January 2018 as a Senior Career Advisor. Jay brings 15 years of career services experience from his previous position at TCI College. He earned his Masters of Administrative Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Business Management from Drew University. Jay draws from his experience in career coaching, internships, employer relations, and teaching workshops. He has also worked in human resources, sales and marketing, and retail. Jay enjoys spending time with his family, listening to music, and watching and playing sports.
Jay Robert Francisco joined the Center for Career Development in January 2018 as a Senior Career Advisor. Jay brings 15 years of career services experience from his previous position at TCI College. He earned his Masters of Administrative Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Business Management from Drew University. Jay draws from his experience in career coaching, internships, employer relations, and teaching workshops. He has also worked in human resources, sales and marketing, and retail. Jay enjoys spending time with his family, listening to music, and watching and playing sports.
- Meets with: All students
- Remote Appointments: Monday – Friday
- In-Person Appointments: Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
Katherine Bedoya, Senior Career Advisor
Katherine Bedoya joined the Center for Career Development in August 2015. As the employer relations assistant and then in October 2016, as the employer relations coordinator, she brings several years experience in employer relations, advising, and event coordinating. Katherine has recently accepted a new role within the Center for Career Development as a senior career advisor. She received her Masters of Arts in Higher Education Administration from Stony Brook University and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Real Estate and Communications from Baruch College. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, art, and binge-watching TV shows.
Katherine Bedoya joined the Center for Career Development in August 2015. As the employer relations assistant and then in October 2016, as the employer relations coordinator, she brings several years experience in employer relations, advising, and event coordinating. Katherine has recently accepted a new role within the Center for Career Development as a senior career advisor. She received her Masters of Arts in Higher Education Administration from Stony Brook University and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Real Estate and Communications from Baruch College. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, art, and binge-watching TV shows.
- Meets with: All students
- Remote Appointments: Monday – Friday
- In-Person Appointments: Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
Amy Rothenberg, CTE Career Advisor
Amy Rothenberg joined the Center for Career Development in November 2022 as a CTE Career Advisor. She brings extensive experience in career counseling and will be advising students interested in pursuing careers in the Public Service sector. Prior to BMCC, she worked as an Employment Counselor for the Job Corps Scholars program at CUNY Kingsborough Community College and at LIU Brooklyn in both Career Services and Employer and Alumni Engagement. Her background also includes work experience in Human Resources. Amy holds a MSEd in Guidance and Counseling from CUNY Hunter College and a BS in Education from the University of Maryland.
Amy Rothenberg joined the Center for Career Development in November 2022 as a CTE Career Advisor. She brings extensive experience in career counseling and will be advising students interested in pursuing careers in the Public Service sector. Prior to BMCC, she worked as an Employment Counselor for the Job Corps Scholars program at CUNY Kingsborough Community College and at LIU Brooklyn in both Career Services and Employer and Alumni Engagement. Her background also includes work experience in Human Resources. Amy holds a MSEd in Guidance and Counseling from CUNY Hunter College and a BS in Education from the University of Maryland.
- Meets with: Criminal Justice, Child Care-Early Childhood Education, Math and Science for Secondary Education, Gerontology, Human Services, Public Health, and Community Health Education
- Remote Appointments: Monday – Friday
- In-Person Appointments: Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
Towanda Wall-Palmer, CTE Career Advisor
Towanda Wall-Palmer joined the Center for Career Development in February 2022. She is a certified career and life coach, who has a diverse background working in the banking, computer financial software, and transportation industries prior to her 5 years in the career coaching industry. She is a proud CUNY alum possessing an advanced certificate in Community Leadership from the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies, a master’s degree in Human Resources Management from CUNY Herbert H. Lehman college, and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration specialization Finance/Economics from Mercy College.
Towanda Wall-Palmer joined the Center for Career Development in February 2022. She is a certified career and life coach, who has a diverse background working in the banking, computer financial software, and transportation industries prior to her 5 years in the career coaching industry. She is a proud CUNY alum possessing an advanced certificate in Community Leadership from the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies, a master’s degree in Human Resources Management from CUNY Herbert H. Lehman college, and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration specialization Finance/Economics from Mercy College.
- Meets with: Business Management, Business Administration, Digital Marketing Financial Management, Small Business/Entrepreneurship
- Remote Appointments: Monday – Friday
- In-Person Appointments: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday,
Anna Victoria Rondon, Employer Relations Assistant
Anna Victoria Rondon joined the Center for Career Development as an Employer Relations Assistant in March 2020. Prior to joining the Center for Career Development, she worked as a student advocate at Harlem Children’s Zone and at Georgetown University as a resident counselor. She holds a Master of Science degree in Student Affairs Administration from Georgetown University; a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Equity and Urban Development from the CUNY Baccalaureate Program and an Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts from Borough of Manhattan Community College. Anna is a proud alumna of the College Discovery Program at BMCC and the SEEK Program at Lehman College.
Anna Victoria Rondon joined the Center for Career Development as an Employer Relations Assistant in March 2020. Prior to joining the Center for Career Development, she worked as a student advocate at Harlem Children’s Zone and at Georgetown University as a resident counselor. She holds a Master of Science degree in Student Affairs Administration from Georgetown University; a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Equity and Urban Development from the CUNY Baccalaureate Program and an Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts from Borough of Manhattan Community College. Anna is a proud alumna of the College Discovery Program at BMCC and the SEEK Program at Lehman College.
- Meets with: All Students
- Remote Appointments: Monday – Friday
- In-Person Appointments: Monday , Tuesday, and Wednesday
Elizabeth Yan, Information Technology Coordinator
Elizabeth Yan joined the Center for Career Development in October of 2016. She previously worked at the City University of New York at the College of Staten Island as a Social Media Assistant for the Center for Career and Professional Development. She earned her Masters of Arts in Higher Education Administration from Stony Brook University and a Bachelor of Science in International Trade and Marketing at the Fashion Institute of Technology. In her spare time, she enjoys writing, traveling, and trying new cuisines with her family.
Elizabeth Yan joined the Center for Career Development in October of 2016. She previously worked at the City University of New York at the College of Staten Island as a Social Media Assistant for the Center for Career and Professional Development. She earned her Masters of Arts in Higher Education Administration from Stony Brook University and a Bachelor of Science in International Trade and Marketing at the Fashion Institute of Technology. In her spare time, she enjoys writing, traveling, and trying new cuisines with her family.
- Meets with: All Students
- Remote Appointments: Monday – Friday
Briana King Rhein, Career Development Assistant
Briana King Rhein joined the Center for Career Development team in October of 2022. Briana joined the Center for Career Development during her last semester at BMCC. Briana is currently studying Psychology. Briana enjoys spending her time reading and watching movies. She also enjoys drawing cartoon characters on her free time.
Briana King Rhein joined the Center for Career Development team in October of 2022. Briana joined the Center for Career Development during her last semester at BMCC. Briana is currently studying Psychology. Briana enjoys spending her time reading and watching movies. She also enjoys drawing cartoon characters on her free time.
Alexis McFarlane, Career Development Assistant
Alexis McFarlane joined the BMCC Center for Career Development team as a Career Development Assistant in 2022. Prior to working at BMCC, she worked at the NYU Wasserman Center for Career Development as a receptionist and administrative assistant. She is currently pursuing a Hospitality Management degree at City Tech. Alexis enjoys spending time with her family and friends, finding new restaurants to try all over NYC, and playing with her dog, Rocco.
Alexis McFarlane joined the BMCC Center for Career Development team as a Career Development Assistant in 2022. Prior to working at BMCC, she worked at the NYU Wasserman Center for Career Development as a receptionist and administrative assistant. She is currently pursuing a Hospitality Management degree at City Tech. Alexis enjoys spending time with her family and friends, finding new restaurants to try all over NYC, and playing with her dog, Rocco.
