SPS Stories
Student Spotlight
Markphong Tram
The Importance of Pride in Achieving Your Goals
Fast Facts
- In addition to being a student NYU SPS, is a professionally trained make-up artist and YouTube personality
- Cites the support from his academic advisor as particularly important to his success
- Learned about pitching and outreach while participating in NYU's Earth Month 2024
<p><span class="p-body">NYU was always Markphong Tram's top college choice. He applied to four colleges in New York City, and received responses from the first three fairly quickly, but NYU was the last to get back to him. "I honestly didn't think I'd get in, so when I opened my admission letter, I was fully expecting a rejection," he divulges. "Instead, it turned out to be one of the most joyful and unexpected surprises of my life."</span></p>
The Benefits of Academic Support
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" id="docs-internal-guid-c1515d3c-7fff-dc2b-6c8b-4b032a248f06"><span class="p-body"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matriculating at NYU SPS has been an incredible experience for Tram, who has received amazing support from his academic advisor and professors, and has built meaningful friendships with his classmates each semester. "I truly cherish every moment of it," he shares.</span></span></p>
<p><span class="p-body"> </span></p>
I've had the opportunity to take the Engaged and Participatory Sustainable Media class taught by Professor Mechthild Schmidt Feist. Through this course, I gained valuable insights into sustainability through research, guest lectures, and readings. Additionally, I worked on a group project to create an effective campaign for sustainable media, and we showcased our teamwork by participating in NYU Earth Month 2024—an incredibly beneficial experience, because it offered hands-on practice in media, pitching, and outreach while also raising my awareness about sustainable living."
Learning by Living
<p><span class="p-body">Tram is now incorporating sustainable practices into his daily life, starting with simple actions like recycling, waste management, and reducing plastic use. Overall, he loves all the classes that he's taking at NYU SPS, and he has built strong connections with all of his professors and all my classmates.</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">"My time at NYU SPS has been incredibly valuable," he intimates. "I've formed great relationships with the people around me. The courses have provided me with both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience. The opportunities to collaborate with classmates on real-world projects and receive guidance from supportive professors have helped me develop practical skills in media. Overall, NYU SPS has given me the tools and confidence to excel in my future field."</span></p>
The Importance of Having a Network
<p><span class="p-body">Throughout his time at NYU SPS, Tram has always turned to his academic advisor, Cristina Castelan, for guidance on degree planning and class registrations. "She has been amazing and consistently supportive," he says. "On the other hand, I view every professor whose class I take as akin to upper management in the real world. They guide me through the entire semester, and if I need inspiration for projects, assignments, or career advice, so I go directly to them. As experts in their fields, they can point me in the right direction, allowing me to conduct my own research and explore further."</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">Tram urges new NYU SPS students to take pride in this exciting new chapter of their lives. "Make the most of the resources available to you—whether it's academic advising, career mentorship, joining clubs that interest you, spending time in the library, or hitting the NYU gym," he urges. "These privileges are uniquely reserved to NYU students only, and now they're yours to enjoy. Lastly, build strong connections with your classmates—you never know, you might end up working together someday."</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">Embark on the next journey of your career by pursuing a <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/bs-in-information-systems-and-technology.html">BS in Information Systems Management</a> from the Division of Applied Undergraduate Studies at NYU SPS today.</span></p>
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