Queens Community House Hosts Career Panel at High School for Arts & Business, Connecting Students to Real-World Career Pathways

Queens, NY — January 29, 2026 — Queens Community House (QCH) hosted a dynamic Career Panel at the High School for Arts & Business, bringing real-world insight and inspiration to students enrolled in its Young Adult Borough Center (YABC). Designed to meet students where they are, the panel offered honest conversations about career journeys, education, and the many paths to professional success.

The panel featured a diverse group of professionals representing a wide range of industries, including Regina Ganpat, Community Manager at Chase; Giselle Diaz, Social Media Content Creator; Willie Cruz, Project Executive at Skanska; Shermaine Weiner, Founder of Lovebyemma Skincare; and Jillian Yanni, Coordinator of Community Engagement at New York City FC. Together, they shared firsthand perspectives on their career paths, daily responsibilities, and the skills required to succeed in their respective fields.

Students were actively engaged throughout the event, asking thoughtful questions about education, career decision-making, and what it truly takes to build and sustain a successful career. Panelists spoke candidly about the education and training that supported their growth, while emphasizing that there is no single roadmap to success. They highlighted both traditional and alternative pathways, underscoring the importance of adaptability, persistence, mentorship, and self-belief.

“Career panels like this are critical for young adults in Queens, especially for students who may not always see themselves reflected in traditional career narratives,” said Ben Thomases, Chief Executive Officer of Queens Community House. “When students hear directly from professionals who have navigated different paths, faced setbacks, and built meaningful careers, it expands what they believe is possible for their own futures. That kind of exposure and encouragement can be transformational.”

Throughout the discussion, panelists also addressed common misconceptions about their roles, discussed the challenges and sacrifices that often go unseen, and shared moments they are most proud of in their careers. Key skills such as communication, problem-solving, resilience, and adaptability emerged as essential across industries.

This Career Panel reflects QCH’s ongoing commitment to supporting young people through its Young Adult Borough Centers— evening academic programs designed for students who are behind in credits, balancing adult responsibilities, or navigating nontraditional paths to graduation. By connecting YABC students with professionals who have firsthand experience overcoming obstacles and redefining success, QCH helps open doors to both academic achievement and future career opportunities.

For students at the High School for Arts & Business, the message was clear: their paths are valid, their goals are attainable, and their futures can take many forms—with Queens Community House providing support every step of the way.

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About Queens Community House:
Queens Community House is one of the borough's largest nonprofit organizations, committed to serving the diverse neighborhoods of Queens. Serving more than 30,000 children, youth, adults, and older adults every year, QCH provides individuals and families with the tools to enrich their lives and build healthy, inclusive communities. Through a broad network of programs, QCH offers Queens residents a needed support system at every stage of life, helping them to develop the knowledge, confidence, and skills to change their lives for the better and become active participants in their larger community. QCH opened its doors in 1975 and is excited to celebrate 50 years of impact and community building across the borough this year.