Nicole Gamen

In one sentence, what has CW meant to you?

College Works Painting helped me find what I’m good at/passionate about and use it to propel me into the next phase of my professional life.

How did your CW experience impact your career? Immediately after graduation? Now?

To work for CASA you had to be 21 years of age or graduate of UCD bachelors program. I did this internship as a freshman and so I had not yet earned either of those qualifications. However upon encouragement by my coworkers at College Works Painting I applied for the internship anyways. I ended up being hired among colleagues who are much older than myself because I was quote “the most qualified applicant for the job”.

What do you want to tell your clients about what it meant to work with them and how it has helped you get to where you are today?

My favorite client was Larry Gindratt from 2014. Larry’s daughter pursued law school and he gave me a lot of meaningful and supportive advice based on his daughter’s own experiences to encourage me pursuing a career in law. Overall though, he had been such an awesome client that really was the easiest to work for.

What was the greatest lesson you learned from your CW experience?

Learned that you shouldn’t let your fears of failure run your life. Instead define yourself by how you conquer your fears one by one.

How have the friendships and networks you built during CW affected you?

The friendships I’ve built from College Works Painting are going to stick with me for a lifetime. I still hang out with old coworkers and go on trips with them all the time. And when it comes down to it, if any of them need a favor or help I’m always there to help!