Careers in Food Justice
23 April 2021 Careers in Food Justice
The Salisbury Center for Career, Professional and Experiential Education held a conversation with Joshua Thomas-Serrano 15 about careers in food justice.
Joshua Thomas-Serrano 15 recently shared his professional insights on the world of advocacy and food justice as part of the Career Journeys series, where alums return to the Colleges to connect with current students and reflect on the experiences that have shaped their career paths.
Watch recordings of Career Journeys here.
Career Journeys help students explore their career options and create space for students to ask questions about potential job opportunities. They also provide students with insight about how HWS alums leverage their education and experiences at the Colleges into professional opportunities.
Thomas-Serrano received a B.A. in public policy from Hobart and William Smith and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration (MPA) at the Austin W. Marxe School of Public and International Affairs at Baruch College in New York City.
He is also the senior marketing and development manager at Teens for Food Justice, a nonprofit working to end food insecurity by building hydroponic farms capable of growing 10,000 lbs. of food per year in public middle and high schools in New York City. The organization empowers young people to become future changemakers in the food justice movement. A key part of the nonprofits internal communications and marketing efforts, Thomas-Serrano has helped the Teens for Food Justice meet annual fundraising goals through securing individual donations, foundation, corporate and government grants and coordinating online fundraising campaigns and special events.
In 2020, Thomas-Serrano was named to Hunter College New York City Food Policy Centers 40 Under 40 list. The Centers honorees include policymakers, educators, community advocates, farmers and innovators who are making significant strides to create healthier, more sustainable food environments and to use food to promote community and economic development.
Thomas-Serrano began his career as a Research Assistant at the Institute for Policy Studies Criminalization of Poverty Project. He has served as an AmeriCorps Public Ally at Fair Chance D.C. and as a New Economy Maryland Fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies.
Read more about Thomas-Serranos journey from HWS to a career in food justice here.