There’s a small collection of super hip people at Fordham who are so cool that they have every right to be super-pretentious and self-involved – and yet they possess this innate ability to be one of the nicest, most down-to-earth people you’ll meet in your time at Fordham. Lindsey Festa is one of those people. She’s got her stuff together in a big way – conquering an internship, a rigorous history major, and a key role at Fordham Nightly News. Yet Lindsey manages to effortlessly blend responsibility and self-discipline with an appetite for fun and an ability to discover some of the most fabulous underground things to do in the Big Apple. If you’re a student looking to learn how to balance a million things while breezily keeping yourself cool as a cucumber, follow Lindsey Festa around for a few weeks- she’s got that down pat.
Where are you from? Darien, CT
What year are you?Sophomore
What is your major? History
What activities are you involved in? I am an executive board member, producer and broadcaster for our news show Fordham Nightly News. I also am a contributing writer for The Paper and I am currently interning at Sony Music Entertainment in their Television and Film division.
Favorite movie: Big Fish
Favorite band/musician: It’s a tie between Keane and the Foo Fighters
Favorite book: Everything Is Illuminated
Favorite TV show: House
How did you decide to come to Fordham? My grandfather, who is a Fordham alum, lost his ID on the Rose Hill campus during his 50th reunion. I tagged along with him when he went to retrieve it and afterwards, he gave me a tour of the school. It honestly was one of those moments where everything just clicked and I knew that this was where I wanted to go to college. I loved Fordham for not only what it had to offer me, but it felt like the next best thing after home.
Your internship sounds AWESOME…Can you describe it? Interning at Sony is really cool! I intern in their Television and Film division, which is under their RCA music label. I get to analyze potential television show ideas and make suggestions relative to the development of those shows. I also get to provide marketing and advertising input for them as well. Granted, there are times when I have to do those stereotypical intern jobs like make copies or deliver packages, but overall it has been a great experience. This internship has definitely opened up my eyes to an entirely different kind of industry.
Do you have any tips for students who are trying to balance schoolwork, extracurriculars, and internships? Though internships are a great way to get your foot in the door, remember that schoolwork really should come first. Before I accepted my internship at Sony, I was debating about taking another one. Though this internship had everything I was looking for, I would have been spending more time in their office than at school. There are tons of internships out there that are manageable and can fit into your schedule. Also, make sure that when it comes to your extracurriculars that you focus on the ones that truly interest you. You shouldn’t be signing up for random clubs just because you think they look good on a resume. Choose the ones that you know you’re passionate about and that you will be able to commit to.
What’s your favorite thing about NY? Oh boy, can I say everything? As cheesy as it sounds, I love the fact that it is the city that never sleeps. There are so many things to do in New York and the fact that it caters to all kinds of people is awesome!
What’s your least favorite thing about NY? The traffic to get into the city is a pain, but you find that everywhere.
Do you have a favorite Fordham memory? In the beginning of Freshman year, my dorm was giving away a limited number of tickets to go see the Broadway show Hair. I remember how much fun that night was because not only was the show so good, but I made some of my closest friends that night as well.
Do you have a favorite NYC memory? I have to say I have tons of great memories, but if I had to pick just one it would be meeting Jonathan Safron Foer. Early last semester, my friend and I went into the city to go hear him talk about his new book. It was absolutely surreal. His books are not only extremely inspiring, but they have taught me to truly appreciate the craft of writing. To listen to someone like Jonathan, who I have admired for such a long time, and THEN be able to speak to him afterwards was, for me, an incredible moment.
You’ve been involved for two years with Fordham Nightly News. What is it about FNN that you love so much? I genuinely look forward to the nights when I have to be at FNN because getting that hands-on experience in the studio is completely worth it. Besides it being such a learning experience, there is a great sense of camaraderie amongst the members of FNN which makes the nights in the studio enjoyable.
In your opinion, what’s the one essential item every Fordham girl needs in her wardrobe? Definitely black ballet flats. They are extremely comfortable and you can dress them up or down. Plus they look good with pretty much anything.
What’s your favorite class you’ve taken at Fordham? Last semester, I took a class called History of New York City with Professor Soyer. It was fantastic! It was really beneficial to learn about our city’s past and how it transformed into the place that we know today.
What’s your least favorite class you’ve taken at Fordham? I wouldn’t say that I have a least favorite class at Fordham. I do find math to be a bit challenging so I was rather happy when I completed my Finite Math class in Freshman year.
Where’s your favorite spot on campus? Rodrigues. Hands down. It’s a great place to get work done and hang out with friends. Plus, the coffee gets the job done.
If you could give one piece of advice to an incoming Fordham freshman, what would it be? Be open to everything. If you come to Fordham with a closed mind and are not willing to try new things, you might miss out on some really great experiences. ?
What’s your dream job? Ideally, I would love to work for NBC in their news department or create documentaries for the Discovery Channel. Either one would be great.
What’s on your NYC bucket list? Be a part of a live audience for The Daily Show and SNL (and then meet Seth Meyers), shoot a short film in Brooklyn, find a really good Vietnamese restaurant, race in the Empire State Building Run-Up, go to a concert at the Bowery Ballroom etc.
What do you think the best part of a Jesuit education is? The emphasis on challenging yourself as an individual is something that I have come to really appreciate. Also having teachers who want to see you succeed is something that you don’t always find at a public college.
Who is your favorite professor at Fordham? Honestly, all of my professors at Fordham have been terrific, but I really have to give a lot of thanks to Professor Lash. Last year, I was on the fence between two different majors. When I took my first history class, which was taught by Professor Lash, I began to realize that being a history major was the way to go. Not only is Professor Lash funny, but he wants his students to get involved, even if their answers might be wrong. He set up a comfortable environment for us to learn and was very knowledgeable about European history. I would totally recommend taking a class with Lash if you get the chance!
Pick one!
Bronx Zoo or Botanical Gardens? Botanical Gardens
Arthur Ave/Fordham Road? Arthur Ave
Cafeteria or Grille? Grille
Conway or Dr. Jay’s? Dr. Jay’s
RamVan or Subway? RamVan
Duane Reade or WalGreen’s? WalGreens
Met or MoMA? MoMA
Hot Dog or Bagel? Bagel
Broadway or Off-Broadway? Broadway
Radio City or Madison Square Garden? Radio City
Central Park or Brooklyn Bridge? Central Park