2020 Success Stories: Jacqueline Lee
The daughter of two business-minded parents who owned a popular antique shop for more
than two decades, Middletown’s Jacqueline Lee grew up immersed in sales, revenue streams
and profit margins.
Having never truly explored her own interests outside of the business world, she assumed she’d wind up in the same profession when she got older.
“I thought that was the only thing I was good at,” Lee said.
Through her own artistic creativity, Lee soon discovered she had something else to offer. With an ability to connect to her peers and a passion for storytelling, the 19-year-old Rhode Island Promise scholar and first-generation college student will graduate from the Community College of Rhode Island on May 29 with an associate degree in General Studies and a concentration in Film and Communications.
Her new career path allows her to connect with others her age and share their stories in a unique, creative way, a skill she developed in high school while working many long hours engaging with customers at her parents’ shop, the former Armory Antique Marketplace in Newport.
“I always intended to study business, but realized I liked the communication aspect of selling yourself to someone,” she said. “So many incredible people with incredible stories would come into our store, and I just loved interacting with them. That’s what made me switch.”
As a senior in high school, Lee admittedly struggled with anxiety, most of which stemmed from the pressure of having to choose her next path in life with graduation on the horizon. For her capstone project, she created a video documentary featuring testimonials from fellow students and faculty detailing the adversity they faced both in high school and outside of the classroom.
The project not only helped shed some much-needed light on what teenagers go through on a daily basis, it also proved therapeutic for Lee, who suddenly had a clearer vision of her future.
“I wasn’t sure where I was going with the project, but I turned into something even I didn’t think it would be,” Lee said. “It sparked something inside of me. It made me realize I’m not alone and others deal with this, too. When I was finished, I thought, ‘Wow, I like this. I want to explore it more.’
“At a certain point, it wasn’t about just making a film or doing something for my project. It was about how I could do something creative to help people. Film is a great outlet. It allows you to communicate in so many different ways.”
Still, with no real direction on how to flip her passion into profit, Lee figured the best plan of attack was to continue studying business. But where? The antique shop was set to close in the fall, so money would be an issue, and Lee still couldn’t see herself working behind a desk instead of being out in the field talking and interacting with others. CCRI’s Promise scholarship allowed her to enroll in college without the financial burden and allowed her to follow her passion.
“I’m so happy I made the decision to come to CCRI directly out of high school,” Lee said. “So many of my friends immediately enrolled in a four-year college and ended up switching their majors.
“CCRI and Promise gave me the opportunity to explore so many different possibilities without the additional stress, and that allowed me to focus more on school and finding what really interested me.”
Lee continued to juggle multiple career options – at one time, she even considered law and psychology – but always circled back to her true passion. The idea of using film to convey a thoughtful message while connecting with others through intimate conversations inspired her to chase a dream that didn’t always seem attainable. Lee always had a desire to help others, but didn’t know which outlet she’d chose. CCRI put her on the right path.
“My mother always told me, ‘I wish I had the opportunity to go to college.’ I’m glad I did,” Lee said. “CCRI has so many options for you to explore and the professors understand what goes into that process. It’s an amazing learning environment.”
Lee works part time at CCRI’s Advising Center at the Newport County Campus – one of two jobs – in addition to her full-time studies. She plans to transfer to a four-year college after graduating in May to pursue her bachelor’s degree in Film and Communications, which she plans to use to advocate and provide a voice for those who aren’t always comfortable speaking out.
“The main thing about film that interests me is you can tell a story without being so straightforward with it, and I think that transparency is what draws me to it,” she said. “You can make it your own and tell your own story.”