with Dan Hickey ’04 | Director of Communications

After graduating from The Brook in 2018, Amaiya moved on to Howard University, where she earned her BA in Legal Communications. For the last nine months, she has worked as an agent trainee at United Talent Agency in Los Angeles.

Where do you still see Stony Brook showing up in your life?

I’ve remained close with my classmates–staying in touch with them and visiting them on school breaks. Stony Brook helped shape my definition of friendship and valuing people. It helped me be cognizant of the people I surround myself with. SBS also influenced how I network and communicate with people. My character and how I display myself are important to me. I work in the entertainment industry, where you can manipulate your way through. I focus on being myself. Stony Brook lives with me still.

What teachers inspired you, helped you grow, challenged you?

Definitely your brother [David Hickey ’08] in European History. Mr. [Bruce] Jeffrey was my favorite English teacher I ever had. I’m not even sure I passed his class! He pushed me as a student. I remember the declamation assignment–I froze. I was not a good public speaker. He saw something in me I couldn’t see but that he knew I was capable of. He helped me become a good studier and a hard worker. I had to take a speech class in college and thought about him a lot.

Mrs. [Jamie] Ramirez was my favorite violin teacher I ever had–and I played my entire life. I miss her so much. I could tear up talking about her.

How did your time at SBS grow or challenge your understanding of the world and your place in it?

SBS introduced me to many cultures and backgrounds. For me, it seems so normal, but other people can’t believe I got to know people from Saudi Arabia and China. I also learned that everyone is unique, and culture is such a big part of who we are, but we’re not solely defined by our culture, and I met people at SBS who were so unique. My friend Kostya Pya ’18 is Russian and Korean, speaks four languages, and lives between Russia and Miami. It’s amazing.

I also learned at SBS the value of being a mentor. My friend group was really good at that. As a result, I’ve learned to take on leadership that is more inclusive.

How did SBS prepare you for success at Howard?

The academic rigor definitely prepared me. Your brother’s class taught me how to study. Boarding and living with people from different countries was also a big piece of my growth. I’ve had roommates every year since my freshman year at SBS, so I learned how to live with people and navigate relationship dynamics.

Stony Brook also prepared me by helping me balance lots of responsibilities. At SBS, I was on Dorm Council, Admissions and Activities Councils, and was a maitre d’. Those positions prepared me to handle a lot of roles at Howard, including the 1867 Assistantship Program, orchestra, Fashion Club, Freshman Mentorship, and Homecoming Committee.

Talk about your role at United Talent Agency. What led you to UTA?

I was introduced to UTA in the summer of 2019 through a program with Howard and UCLA. I took two entertainment classes for eight weeks, then interviewed at UTA, which is one of the three major entertainment agencies in LA. I was too young at the time, right out of high school, but they saw my passion and invited me to be an extern. Through that opportunity, I was able to connect with an entertainment attorney.

I graduated from Howard in May of 2022, and after a three-month internship in Spain, I moved to California by myself. I started as an intern and thought I would do that for three months before moving back to New York. But I had opportunities at UTA to work in the mailroom, do script coverage and scene cutting, work in the business affairs office, and get to know different parts of the industry. The more you network, understand the industry, do tasks, help managers, and work events, the more you grow and find new opportunities. I met the actress Issa Rae at an event and got two contacts through her. I’m working really hard and loving what I’m learning. Long-term, I want to become an entertainment attorney.

How do you like the West Coast? What do you miss most about NY?

I miss the people. People are so weird here [laughter]. Some people I meet are like walking, living social media pages. Everybody here wants to be somebody.

Where is Character Before Career important in your work?

It’s so important in how you present yourself and treat people. I meet so many people, and everybody wants something in this industry. Character Before Career helps me be observant. Does this person value character? I notice people who have different character inside and outside of the office. It also gives me wisdom about whose voice is in my life.

What do you hope to be doing in the next 5-10 years?

I plan to attend law school in November. After that, I’d like to work at an entertainment firm and eventually open my own firm. It’s also a dream of mine to open a charter school. I want to give back to the Shinnecock Reservation in Southampton. I’d like to open the school right outside the reservation to make it more inclusive.

Anything you’d like to share with your fellow alumni in closing?

I have to give special thanks to Mrs. Ramirez, Mr. and Mrs. Beirne, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Trouwborst, Mr. and Mrs. Tietjen, Mr. Jeffrey, and Mrs. Thiele.

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