How the LEAD program helped Daria Kurdyukova find her confidence in NYC

By Daria Kurdyukova

I never wanted to live in the US and I hated the English language, but in Russia we have a proverb: never say never. My husband was offered a job in NYC and told me we had to move. I was a little bit in shock and frustrated. Additionally, I was very scared of flying long distances.

Nonetheless, I found myself in the states, and New York City in particular, for the first time in my life in January 2016. I remember that it was very cold and there was a snowstorm two days after our arrival. I felt like I was in Russia and I was happy to see the snow!

We had a lot to take care of at the beginning, like finding an apartment, and of course I wanted to find a job. However, I had to wait three months for my work permit and couldn’t apply for jobs in the meantime. So, I decided to be very active, visit museums, and discover my new home city.

One day, I was looking around the public library when I noticed a flyer describing a free program that helps young immigrant women find jobs in NYC. It seemed like a great opportunity to practice my English and meet new friends. I signed up very quickly, and some weeks later, I started attending the New Women New Yorkers LEAD program.

The course was divided into eight sessions, each covering one particular topic. I liked all of the sessions, but I especially appreciated the courses on networking, resume writing, and the US workplace. I know you would like to hear about the results of the program. Overall, it was very helpful and boosted my confidence. I improved my resume and, to my surprise, got my first job in a great school in Manhattan right after the end of the program. I also learned how to meet people and keep in touch with them, and I found new friends.

To conclude, I want to tell you one thing. If you are a young immigrant woman and you don’t know where to start, and you feel a bit scared of being in a new city, then try to meet participants from the LEAD program. You will see how powerful this program was for them. You can do everything in NYC — just start moving and doing different things! Good luck!

Learn more about LEAD, an eight-week professional development program combining skills training, teamwork, and leadership development, or sign up here.