Gabriel Fernandez – Reclaiming Confidence and Community Post-COVID

In the middle of a pandemic, when the world was remote and the path to a finance career felt abstract and out of reach, Gabriel Fernandez found himself searching. As a sophomore at Baruch College majoring in finance, he didn’t know what he wanted to do exactly—but he knew he was seeking professional guidance. And he had no idea where to look.

"I was stuck behind a screen, trying to figure out what being a finance professional even meant," he shared. "I didn’t have connections. I didn’t even know what questions to ask."

That changed when a LinkedIn post caught his eye. It mentioned City Tutors and its mentorship events, including an upcoming virtual session featuring professionals from Bloomberg. Gabriel signed up, not expecting much. What he found was a turning point.

"That first session blew me away. I saw five Bloomberg professionals not just speaking at us, but speaking with us. It was the first time I realized people in high places wanted to help—and were giving their time for free."

From Curiosity to Courage: Exploring New Spaces

Gabriel quickly immersed himself in City Tutors' world—attending virtual panels, receiving regular emails, and showing up to every event he could. But the moment of real transformation came when in-person programming resumed.

"At the first in-person event, something clicked. Suddenly I wasn’t just observing from behind a screen—I was shaking hands, asking questions, and seeing professionals as real people."

He remembers standing in the library at a Brooklyn event, surrounded by account executives, hedge fund professionals, and software engineers. "We were just talking. Not just about careers, but about life—New York, hobbies, even food. That human connection changed how I saw myself."

Rediscovering Joy: Laughs, Baseball, and Belonging

City Tutors didn’t just offer mentorship. It offered something Gabriel hadn’t realized he was missing: community.

"The Mets game was the first time I'd been to a baseball game since before COVID. That energy, that joy, being around others cheering and connecting—it was more than fun. It was healing."

At the game, he met another student who would later become a friend. At a comedy night in Harlem, he laughed until he cried. "Those moments reminded me what it felt like to just be. And for students like me, who come from low-income backgrounds, getting that for free is rare."

Pushing Past the Comfort Zone

City Tutors didn’t just help Gabriel open up socially—it reshaped how he approached his future.

"I had to get out of my comfort zone. I learned how to introduce myself, follow up, hold conversations with professionals. It wasn’t easy, but City Tutors gave me the space to practice and grow."

At a mentorship event hosted at Paramount, Gabriel found himself face-to-face with six professionals during a rotation—just him and one other student. They spoke about finance, media, marketing, and career journeys. One of the mentors gave him a business card and told him to reach out.

"That blew my mind. I was a student. They were busy professionals. But they cared. And they were showing up—for us."

Creating Ripple Effects

One connection at an event led to coffee with a startup founder. Another event introduced him to a fellow student who now serves with him on a nonprofit committee. A speaker from a NASA/OpenAI panel became a professional contact.

"These aren’t just moments—they're opportunities that ripple out. And they all started with City Tutors."

From Mentee to Advocate

Now a recent graduate, Gabriel continues to reflect on the power of access.

"City Tutors didn’t just help me meet professionals—it helped me build confidence. I’m more open, more connected. And now I want to help others find the same."

He credits the organization for creating a space where mentorship and connection are accessible, human, and real.

A Message to the Donors

"You made this happen," Gabriel says. "Your support made it possible for someone like me—a first-gen, low-income student—to learn, grow, and connect with people I never thought I’d meet. I hope you know the impact you're making. It's life-changing."

Gabriel Fernandez is a graduate of Baruch College and a proud alum of The City Tutors mentorship community. He continues to serve as a connector and advocate for students navigating their early careers.