Liatwork Cool Careers Await, Let Us Help You Make the Connection

#LIatWork Cool careers await, let us help you make the connection. [email protected] www.suffolkcountyny.gov/labor #LI@atWork showcases individuals at work throughout Suffolk County, seeking to introduce High School Students to various traditional and non-traditional career fields and paths, and allowing a peek into economically empowering jobs in the future as well as highlighting the connection between their classroom and a career.

Teresa Costa designs vegan shoes for women. From Dix Hills, Teresa is owner of Teresa Costa Collections, and a part-time banker. Raised by a single mom in California, at age of 13, Teresa began working as an herbal tea company administrative assistant. She went on to jobs at KFC and Nordstrom’s and attained her GED. Pointing to her excellent customer service skills and experience, Teresa’s uncle suggested work in the banking industry, where she could secure benefits and better pay. As a banker, Teresa learned the ins and outs of finance, and recorded negotiable instrument transactions. Teresa has met many amazing people through her banking activities, leading to her partnership with one of her clients, a wholesale shoe manufacture. At age 39, Teresa designed herself a pair of shoes, and was inspired to rethink her career. Her love of fashion and compassion for animals formed the impetus to create a vegan footwear collection. Teresa feels the conscientious consumer can still enjoy a desirous and high quality shoe without sacrificing their principles. Teresa’s shoes are certified vegan, incorporating synthesized leather and suede Faux materials, and manufactured using no part of an animal, or animal by-products. Faux materials imitate the real texture of leather or suede and is available in a variety of colors and a variety of patterns. “I hope that customers are comfortable in my shoes”, says Teresa. Rubberized bottoms and additional inside padding ensure a comfortable fit and wear. Using Sketch design software, deciding on different shoe shapes and silhouettes, customizing fabrics, contrasting color and styles, Teresa thoroughly and carefully plans her creations, before working with a manufacturer to develop prototypes. Teresa says, “Have faith in your ability to do exactly what you have a passion for. Don’t let people tell you no. If you really want it, you have to go get it and work hard for it.” You can find Teresa Costa Collection Shoes at the Walt Whitman Mall in Huntington, inside a vegan- friendly store called Devotion. Teresa also donates 5% of sales to Farm Sanctuary, Peta and North Shore Animal League.

Steven Bellone Samuel Chu Rosalie Drago Suffolk County Executive Workforce Development Board Chair Commissioner Auxiliary aids and services available upon request to individuals with disabilities. An Equal Opportunity Employer Program #LIatWork Cool careers await, let us help you make the connection. [email protected] www.suffolkcountyny.gov/labor #LI@atWork showcases individuals at work throughout Suffolk County, seeking to introduce High School Students to various traditional and non-traditional career fields and paths, and allowing a peek into economically empowering jobs in the future as well as highlighting the connection between their classroom and a career.

Sound designers regularly work in the film and television production industry, as well as participate in live theater design, audiobooks, radio and podcasting, and video game creation, and work perform their functions under the purview of a director responsible for the overall artistic product. Before becoming a Sound Designer, Michael Dennis of Huntington Station went to college with his eye on the field of medicine, though ultimately receiving a Business and Marketing degree from the University of California/Santa Barbara. Throughout his working life, Michael has been a stock broker, a buyer in the clothing industry and a construction worker, and now works as a mortgage banker. His real passion is as the Artist Sound Room Gallery owner, showcasing incredible talent and celebrating artists and musicians from around the world, where he serves as writer, producer, and designer of hand-made custom speakers. Michael has collected and owns over 300 pairs of speakers and has studied the construction, characteristics, and sound of each one, eager to create his own line. For him, speaker design “begins with aesthetics.” “If the look isn’t right, I’m not interested in how the speakers sound, which is a little backwards,” says Michael. With the Michael Dennis Horn Studio Monitors 2020, Michael created a unique studio monitor able to match any décor and possessed of high sound quality. This passive horn-style studio monitoring speaker, is designed for mixing, mastering digital and analog recorded sound, and live recording playback. Michael wants young people to know a successful career is something that can be developed around your passions. “Think outside the box,” he says, “I cannot count how many times I have fallen short of my goals. The ultimate goal is never give up on your dreams, life is the grand university.” To illustrate his point of view, Michael revealed that he is a jazz-whistling Puccoloist, performing the highest level of human whistling. Out of the box, indeed.

As a single mom, full time employee and business owner, Huntington resident Andrea Hernandez wears many hats, but it is as an accounts payable representative at Ferrari – Maserati of Long Island and Gold Coast Maserati – Alfa Romeo, where she really stays busy. Working alongside the Marketing Coordinator and the Event Planner, Andrea organizes car rallys, corporate meetings, media presentations and fund raisers. Andrea helps develop strong relationships with new and existing customers, identifying new business opportunities and connecting with key business executives and stakeholders. Andrea says, “What I love the most about my job at Ferrari – Maserati and Gold Coast Maserati – Alfa Romeo, is that we have all become a family here. The owners are appreciative of your time, energy and work ethic. They thank you, applaud you and support you outside of work as well, and are always there for you. That means a lot to me.” As a bookeeping and cleaning service business owner, Andrea prepares sales and expense reports, charting day to day financial transactions, pays and disputes invoices, generates statements and verifies and classifies recording accounts payable data, and allows her staff room for advancement. Knowing the difficulties of single-parenting, Andrea helps single mothers at Housing Shelters build their self- confidence, repair their credit and update their resumes. You may also find Andrea partnering with help organizations Community Housing Innovations, Thai USA Restaurant, and Heartbreak Kids Apparel, whether donating care packages, distributing Christmas gifts to children and singing carols at Winthrop Hospital or feeding essential workers during Covid-19 shutdowns. Andrea would like young people to know that there are no limits to what can be achieved In life. She says, “Our only boundary is the one we set for ourselves. Be confident in who you are and know that with hard work, perseverance and dedication you can do whatever it is you want in life. You are UNSTOPPABLE.”

Steven Bellone Samuel Chu Rosalie Drago Suffolk County Executi