Introducing the Writer

Before I start posting about all the great attractions of New York City, I figured I would start by introducing myself!

My name is William Terrence Barry, though you'll likely hear me referred to as "Billy" or "Billy Barry". 

I began my college career at the New Jersey Institute of Technology In New Jersey, USA in the fall of 2009. After completing a simple programming class in high school, I determined with very limited background knowledge that my major would be Computing and Business. Not knowing what to expect, I blindly and nervously moved into NJIT and soon after, began my first college classes.

As I settled into school, I realized I wanted more than just the academics. After attending the school-wide club fair, I joined the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), Student Activities Council (SAC), Spectrum, and Cypress Hall Council. I was honored by being inducted into Phi Eta Sigma - the Freshman Honors Society. By the spring semester of my freshman year, I was elected the Webmaster for ACM.

Going into my sophomore year, I became a Resident Assistant in Cypress Hall for 64 freshmen residents, the Night-time Programmer for Student Activities Council, and Treasurer for Spectrum. In the Spring of 2011, I chose to pledge and become a brother of Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity. After being inducted into Delta Epsilon Iota, an Academic Honors Society, I was given the honor of being a keynote speaker for the Albert Dorman Honors College Scholarship Breakfast. It gave me the wonderful opportunity to thank the donors that made my experience at NJIT possible.

Continuing my position as a Resident Assistant in Cypress Hall throughout my junior year, I also became President of Spectrum and served as Fundraising and Service Chairman for Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity. I was honored with being inducted into the National Residence Hall Honorary, the Order of Omega (Greek Honors Society), and Omicron Delta Kappa. By the end of 2011, I made the decision to change my major to Business: Management Information Systems. With less of a focus on programming and software, I would be able to better leverage my communication skills in a business environment instead of a computer science environment.

At the end of my third year of school, I received the 2011-2012 Presidential Leadership Award. It was one of the greatest honors of my entire life and I included a picture below with the President of NJIT when I received the award.

And now, I leave all of that behind me as I head into my senior year. I am attending the Polytechnic University of Valencia in Spain for 5 months. Following my semester abroad, I will return to New Jersey to graduate with my bachelor degree in Business in May of 2013. Beginning July of 2013, I will be working full-time for Prudential Financial as a Business Systems Analyst.

The cool part about going to school in Newark, NJ is that it's no more than 20 minutes outside of New York City. With that being the case, I get to travel there at least once a week to try new restaurants, see a Broadway show, or simply walk around and explore.

I look forward to imparting my many experiences in New York City with all of you!

Photo gallery