THE INTERVIEW »

What are your career ambitions for your future?

• Create a magazine & online resource publication targeting high school and college age students. This magazine would cover a variety of career development topics such as: internships, job search techniques etc. I would also partner with fashion designers to advertise professional affordable clothing lines for students to wear to class, work and to an interview. Partner with institutions & companies wanting to advertise their academic programs on my website or in the magazine.
• Travel around the world meeting students and offering career advice for young professional's ages of all ages.
• Become an Career/Internship Consultant with organizations & churches across the nation
• Complete a comprehensive study that will support the importance of Career Management Coursework and Internship Programs being implemented in schools
• To have a 10 min segment on a television station such as VH1, HBO, BET, NICK, ESPN, PBS and a radio station such as JAM'N 94.5, Hot97, Kiss 108 etc. or any station where I can answer students questions relating to career planning
• Possibly become Dean of Experiential Education/Career Development or Director of Internship Programs at a high school or college or for a school system.
• Obtain an Ed.D. & JD.
• I would like to become a published author. I'd like to write a career development resource book and various other books on topics such as: Young Professionals focused on: Networking, Internships, Job Search, Image, Self-Esteem, and Finances etc.
• I'd like to expand my own business so that I would someday be able to hire people and give scholarships such as the Natascha Saunders Scholarship Fund

Do you have any special talents?

Since the 3rd grade my mom had me take piano lessons, study martial arts (Tae-Kwon-Do), and sing in the church choir.

What are your hobbies? In what sports/extracurricular activities do you participate?

My hobbies are: reading, and cooking. As for sports I love to play tennis, work-out at the gym including lifting weights. If I had a twin she'd be a mix of Ronnie Colman, Kim Chizevsky and a dash of Lenda Murray. LOL

What recognitions did you earn in high school?

I graduated from Natick High School in Natick, Massachusetts. I was a part of the METCO program (program that bussed inner-city kids to the suburbs for school, improving diversity initiatives) in Boston. The leaders of the METCO program recognized me as Secretary, Class of 1996, sports including cheerleading & track 'n' field, and gave me a Leadership Recognition award.

What recognitions did you earn in college?

During my sophomore year of college I was diagnosed with a learning disability. It was at that point that I could finally understand why I had struggled for so long academically. I never achieved academic honors but at a family reunion I was presented with a certificate for job well done. My family had always been very supportive in regards to my academics especially when they noticed my grades improving. I sought out extra help and went to counseling. Then when I pursed an MBA in graduate school I was able to graduate with a 3.6 GPA. As well as an Executive MS in Leadership and graduated with a 3.9 GPA.

Have you ever had any professional experience, or held full or part-time jobs during vacations, after school hours, or upon graduation? If so, what were they?

• During my high school years I volunteered at New England School of Law throughout the school year. I assisted with filing, mailings and catalogs. During the summers I often worked as an administrative assistant at places such as: Tac Staffing Services, Beth Israel Hospital and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care.
• During my undergraduate years at UMASS-Amherst, I held a 20hr/week part-time job on campus. I worked for the Physical Plant Division of Facilities Planning. My responsibilities were to assist the architects in maintaining, printing and inputting blue print designs into a program called OCE Programming. I held that position throughout my entire undergraduate program. I also had the greatest boss in history, Hildy Marshall. I still keep in touch with her till this day.
• During the summers of my undergraduate career I also participated in multiple internships including: Ann Taylor, Neiman Marcus, Candy Ford Modeling Agency and Roxbury Public Defenders.

Who have your mentors been?

• Emerson Foster, Former Sr. Director of Talent Acquisition, Stop & Shop Corporation now VP HR, Mentor Network
• Keith Matthews, Former Assistant Director of Special Projects, Providence Journal
• Roger Achille J.D., Professor MBA Program, Johnson & Wales University
• Dr. Terrence A. Gomes, President, Roxbury Community College
• Ms. Nancy R. Rousseau, Career Services, Urban College

Tell us about your parents/family?

My immediate family currently lives in Boston, Massachusetts

• Father: Edward R. Saunders, Retired from the Air Craft Division of General Electric for over 30 years, Originally from Florence, South Carolina
• Mother: Faye J. Harley-Saunders, Admissions Counselor at New England School of Law for over for over 20 years, Originally from Savannah, Georgia and Avon Representative for over 30 years
• Siblings: E. Michael Saunders, Program Manager, Boston Center for Youth & Families, Street Worker Program, Boston, Massachusetts and Rodney E. Saunders, Army, Musician, 11/3/65-10/23/06

What are some interesting things you'd like to share about yourself?

• I'd like to learn sign language, to play chess & speak Spanish fluently.
• I plan to own a horse & a few snakes some day.
• I plan to adopt a child and be a spokesperson for an adoption organization.
• I designed my own major while attending the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
• I'd love to have the opportunity to travel all around the world interviewing professionals in sports, law, medicine, science, education etc. so I can put the video clips on my site for students to view & learn.

Favorite books:

• The Girls Guide to Power & Success
• How to become CEO
• The little Black Book of Connections
• The Leadership Challenge