This spring, the Office of Alumni Engagement is sharing the stories of graduating students as they both look back on their time at Pratt and look ahead toward the future. See their first-year and last-year photos and read about what they’ll remember, what they’ll miss, where they’re headed, and what advice they have for other Pratt students.
Dhruv Mishra | MID ’22
Dhruv Mishra, MID ’22, first-year photo
What was your most memorable experience at Pratt?
I remember the late nights and collaborative environment which I experienced in the industrial design studios. These really helped me grow as a designer, learning from different people and cultures. I thrived off of these conversations and they encouraged me to look at design from multiple perspectives.
Looking back at this photo, what would you tell your younger self?
Explore Pratt in the first semester. There are many hidden gems around the campus which will help you in the future!
The one thing I will miss most about Pratt is…
How ready to help and knowledgeable the professors are, along with the community.
What advice would you give to new Pratt students?
Make the most of your time with professors and fellow students. You never know what you might learn.
Where are you headed after graduation?
I am looking forward to finding a job designing for disabilities and implementing my design skills across boundaries.
Dhruv Mishra, MID ’22, final-year photo
Chu Ge Wang | MFA Communications Design ’22
Chu Ge Wang, MFA Communications Design ’22, first-year photo
What was your most memorable experience at Pratt?
On a thesis class trip, for the first time I had a chance to see a pretty view in New York, the Little Island, and felt I might find my space in New York soon.
Looking back at this photo, what would you tell your younger self?
Trust yourself, the most.
The one thing I will miss most about Pratt is…
The small struggles. I overcame all of them.
What advice would you give to new Pratt students?
Be prepared in every class, even if they are confusing, and try to arrange each one in order.
Where are you headed after graduation?
New York or Vancouver.
Chu Ge Wang, MFA Communications Design ’22, final-year photo
Morgan Ose | MS Dance/Movement Therapy ’22
Morgan Ose, MS Dance/Movement Therapy ’22, first-year photo
Looking back at this photo, what would you tell your younger self?
Take care of yourself. Your mental and physical health is more important than money.
The one thing I will miss most about Pratt is…
My cohort of classmates!
What advice would you give to new Pratt students?
Take care of yourself! Make time for you to get rest and do things you enjoy outside of school.
Where are you headed after graduation?
I’ve received an offer to work as a Dance/Movement Therapist at Jacobi Medical Center on all of their inpatient units.
Morgan Ose, MS Dance/Movement Therapy ’22, final-year photo
Mila Sviderskaya | BFA Communications Design (Illustration) ’22
Mila Sviderskaya, BFA Communications Design (Illustration) ’22, first-year photo
What was your most memorable experience at Pratt?
I had so many memorable experiences it’s hard to choose one! At least one would be when my roommate, Jordan, and I moved into our own room in Esther Lloyd-Jones (ELJ) for our second year. I remember painting the walls together. We took advantage of the wall painting opportunity as much as possible. You should have seen our room. It was seriously insane, we had put up so many art pieces, so many lights (and black lights with black light paint so the pictures would totally change during the evenings) and plants and tapestries, and lots of “trash” from outside that we repurposed. I love the classes and the campus, but dorm living with my best friend was by far one of the best memories I’ve made at Pratt.
Looking back at this photo, what would you tell your younger self?
I wish I could tell myself to stop being so worried and so scared. Deciding to come to New York away from family, to pursue art, is a huge step that may feel scary and hard, but it is the best decision you’ll ever make. The people you’ll get to know, the art you’ll make, and the experiences ahead are going to change your life and your state of mind. Just stop worrying and go with the flow.
The one thing I will miss most about Pratt is…
I’m really going to miss the campus. Living the first two years on it, and then continuing to have at least one in-person class through COVID, really gave me the chance to experience not just our dorms and studios but the beautiful sculptures and nature there.
What advice would you give to new Pratt students?
Take advantage of the labs! Take electives outside your major and use the studios to your furthest extent. I WISH I took ceramics earlier because I really went off on the unlimited clay, firings, and glaze. I wish I took jewelry and printmaking earlier because those forms of art have never occurred to me before and once trying them, I want to keep going. Maybe if I took them in the first semester, I would have even switched my major… who knows? You’ll never get so much access to so many different labs and printers as you will now. Use them!!!
Where are you headed after graduation?
Staying in New York!!! Looking for jobs in the children’s education field (fingers crossed on Amplify). But at least for a few more years, I want to experience more of Brooklyn now that I’m not constrained by school schedules.
Mila Sviderskaya, BFA Communications Design (Illustration) ’22, final-year photo
Sydney King | BArch ’22 (Minors: Sustainability Studies and Social Justice/Social Practice)
Sydney King, BArch ’22, first-year photo
What was your most memorable experience at Pratt?
When the Black Student Union (BSU) hosted a music through the decades party in February 2020—and, of course, the people I’ve become close to.
Looking back at this photo, what would you tell your younger self?
It’s okay; you are enough and will have people that support you.
The one thing I will miss most about Pratt is…
The community that I was able to make between the students and staff.
What advice would you give to new Pratt students?
Do not hesitate; go for it, as well as take care of your health first and foremost.
Where are you headed after graduation?
Everywhere! I actually do not know exactly for the moment but I do know there are skill sets and spaces I am trying to access in order to continue to learn, build my career, and streamline other skills so they, too, can be shared.
Sydney King, BArch ’22, final-year photo
Andrew Lane | MArch ‘22
Andrew Lane, MArch ‘22, first-year photo
What was your most memorable experience at Pratt?
Coming into the studio in person at Higgins Hall for the first time. After starting my education virtually, I was excited to meet my fellow peers and professor.
Looking back at this photo, what would you tell your younger self?
There’s going to be high and low points, but it’s all part of learning and becoming a better architect and human. Stress the little things in the moment, but not the long term.
The one thing I will miss most about Pratt is…
Coming to the library to read great books and interacting with other students daily.
What advice would you give to new Pratt students?
Enjoy your classes but feel open to go outside your major and make friends with people from different experiences.
Where are you headed after graduation?
I’ll be starting my career as a junior architectural designer.
Andrew Lane, MArch ‘22, final-year photo
The 2022 graduating student photo series is a project of Pratt Institutional Advancement/Alumni Engagement. Follow this year’s graduates on their journey to becoming alumni as they celebrate on social media with the hashtags #PrattGrad22 and #PrattAlumni.