How to Get There: Deputy Commissioner at NYC Department of Youth and Community Development

As a teen, being an adult and choosing a job feels like a dark looming challenge with many obstacles. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Top people in all fields had to start somewhere, right? The mission of the How to Get There series is to explore the journey and simplify the process, therefore bringing it to the growing-up-21st-century audience.

It was a quiet evening at the Girl Scouts of Greater New York's Wall street headquarters where the NYC Government panel was held. At the panel I asked for her contact information for an interview. Soon enough, on a bright afternoon in City Hall, we sat down in one of the agency's colorful conference rooms.

The Position:

Deputy Commissioner at the NYC Department of Youth and Development

The Person Behind it:

Susan Haskell

The Process:

I grew up in Norwalk, Connecticut. I moved to New York City in 1992. I had a quiet childhood. I didn’t have strong leadership skills as a youth. I did always take care of young people, I babysit and I worked at camps. I played the piano and watched a lot of tv. There weren’t that many programs when I was young.

When I graduated high school I went to University of Vermont and studied with an interest in accounting, but later switched to computer science. I wanted meaningful work but I didn’t know how to connect that to my degree. It took time to figure out how to mix the two. Eventually I landed a job at a housing organization in New York City. Later, I taught math and that was my hook back into youth programming.

I then went back to university and studied public policy at the New School. I was a youth worker and then I got into the managerial positions. I learned a lot about city funding as I worked for the nonprofit community organisations. So as I got that experience I thought to myself, “I know how this should be done. I want to do this for the City do it for myself!” I knew the framework for youth programs, and I wanted to be on the inside.

I didn’t have connections in government when I started. I did have experience with getting grants from DYCD so I think that was the selling point on hiring me. I had to fight for the job I got. I interviewed several times. before I got called. I applied for two jobs that I didn’t get. Eventually they called me about a new position. I worked for 6 years for my boss who became my mentor. When he moved up to the position of commissioner, he hired me and it helped that he knew my work.

Things to Keep in Mind:

I support the Commissioner to implement policies around youth, families and communities. I oversee the portfolio of programs for runaway and homeless youth. I work on the drop-in centers, street-outreach services and residential short-term and long-term centers. I also overlook the after-school programs for elementary, middle and high school, and. I also work on community centers.

My everyday tasks include responding to needs in the community. I support a team of people at DYCD to ensure that contracts are registered. We work on contracts between the city government and local schools and community groups. DYCD puts out requests for proposals from for community groups to respond. We then vet them proposals and get the paperwork set up. We monitor and support the programs. I also get make changes according the feedback we receive. I also do troubleshooting and crisis manage unexpected challenges. Approximately 75% of my day is all scheduled out. 25% is unknown, for example responding to requests from other city agencies, or community groups that need help.

Unique Experiences: 

I’ve worked for the city for 10+ years. And before that I worked at community based organisations. When I began working for the city I was shocked surprised to find out that so many people who work in government really care about what they are doing. Before I worked for the city I thought many of the staff might they were all bureaucrats that didn’t not care about the work anyone but themselves who want to put obstacles in your way. When I began working I saw how false that was.

Most of my career I’ve been working in youth services. The field has grown so much. It is so much more developed. When I’m able to go out and see what’s happening on the ground I am blown away by the way things are changing. Now the approach is much more wholistic, to meet the needs of youth and their families. I love how pointedly honest NYC youth are. They get right to the point.

Advice:

It is important to think about what you like to do and what your interests are but you don’t have to be locked into these things. Take the opportunities in front of you. Even if you are unsure whether you will do this in the future, take it. The experience is never wasted. Take internships, fellowships, small jobs here and there, take chances and risks. Make connections with the people you interact with so you can learn from them.