Class of 2019 Alumna Is Living Her Dream in New York City

"I wanted a change, and living in New York City has been my biggest dream for as long as I can remember," said Riya. "It's been really exciting, and honestly, a huge step. I'm building a life that's completely new and out of my comfort zone."

 

Riya believes you don't need to have all the steps mapped out, and said sometimes you just need to be willing to take a chance and figure things out along the way.

"One of my favorite quotes is, 'if you weren't ready, you wouldn't have the opportunity. If you weren't capable, you wouldn't have the desire,'” she said. 

 

That mix of readiness and confidence is what brought Riya to New York City, working at RBC Capital Markets as a digital marketing associate.

“I manage their global email program and assist with social media,” explained Riya. “The role sits at the intersection of marketing, technology, data, and communications. Beyond the great company culture, I took this role because I see a lot of growth and opportunity for myself here.”

Riya said she loves her job, as well as the diversity of people and activities New York City offers.

"New York City is so fast-paced, and I absolutely thrive in it. There's never a boring day. It's been rewarding to look around and realize I'm living the exact life I always imagined for myself," she said. "I loved my time in Boston, but New York City was always meant for me. It's a city with endless possibilities. One week, I went to a Bollywood spin class on Tuesday, a brand event on Wednesday, and an adult gymnastics class on Thursday. I also crave the diversity this city has. When you walk outside, you hear multiple languages being spoken. As a proud Desi woman, moving here has brought me even closer to my culture through social activities, events, people, and food."

Riya shared that her New York City dream took root years earlier.

"When I was at Hamden Hall, my friends and I spent the weekend in New York City to celebrate my 16th birthday," recalled Riya. "My parents chaperoned and booked three hotel rooms in the middle of Times Square. We watched Aladdin on Broadway and ended the night with brownie sundaes at Serendipity. It was one of the best birthdays of my life, and that memory is what made me want to call NYC home."

Now, Riya encourages everyone to chase their dreams, just as she did.

 

"Every single day, I wake up, look outside my bedroom window, and still can't believe that I'm actually here in New York City,” said Riya. “For nine years, this dream was all I wanted, and I never gave up on it. It's such a great feeling, and I pray this excitement never fades away. If I can share one thing, it's this: don't give up on what you really want. What's meant for you will find its way to you."