Isabelle Schmit JM ’26

“I can finally bridge both of my interests”

Isabelle Schmit, age 31 | Malden, Massachusetts
Jewelry Making & Repair ’26

What did you do before coming to NBSS?

I’m originally from New Orleans, and I studied data science and computer science in college and graduate school. I worked at Microsoft for a couple of years as a data engineer before getting hired as a data scientist at Wayfair, which brought me to Boston.

When/how did you discover for discipline/field?

In middle school and high school, I enjoyed making jewelry … just stringing things together, looking for a charm and putting it on an earring hook. 

Post-pandemic, I was experiencing some burnout. I started getting interested in fine jewelry and fell down a rabbit hole of watching people make jewelry online. I thought, ‘I want to learn how to do that.’ This led me to discover the Community Education (CE) program at NBSS. Over two years, I took as many CE classes as possible.

Why did you choose to invest in training for a new career?

I hit a point while taking CE courses where I realized I wanted to learn to work with gold, and I started considering the full-time program. At first, I was torn about having to quit my job, but I found myself thinking about jewelry more and more. The idea of doing the full-time program slowly became a real option in my mind. I went to an Open House and met Jewelry Making & Repair (JM) Department Head Tracey Jenkins Darji JM ’05 and Instructor Haley Filamond JM ’20, and I decided to apply.

What are some ways you have felt supported during your time at School?

The JM Instructors were incredibly supportive and fantastic at pushing me to advance my skills to the best of my ability. My classmates were also a huge support system. When you’re getting frustrated learning a new skill, everyone is there for you. 

After my first semester, I applied to be a student worker. The head of facilities is also the head of IT, and when he saw my resume, he offered me a role as an IT Systems Architect. My boss in IT and all of the staff were so supportive, making it possible for me to work 10 hours a week on top of school. Everyone gave me a lot of grace and flexibility.

How has your life changed because you chose to go to NBSS?

It has changed considerably. When I left my old job, I felt burnt out. Now that I’ve graduated, I’m working as a Teaching Assistant in the JM program three days a week and have continued my role in IT at NBSS two days a week. I feel like I can finally bridge both of my interests. When I was younger, I did computer science and art. In high school, I was on the Science Olympiad team and was also in art club. Having found work that lets me use the creative and the technical has been so encouraging.

What’s next for you?

I’m enjoying what I’ve been doing so much, so I’m hoping to do it for as long as possible. Teaching helps you understand the material better, because you’re not just exposed to your mistakes … you’re exposed to all the possibilities of mistakes. That’s been a huge learning experience—and there is still so much to learn. 

I’m looking forward to pushing myself to explore new techniques and mediums.

Over the summer, I have an extra day a week when I can work at my bench, so I have lots of fun ideas brewing. There is a type of pavé setting called a fishtail, or French setting, that I’m excited to try. I have some scrap gold and some diamonds, and I’m thinking of making two little bar earrings with that setting.

What’s your favorite thing you’ve made during your time at NBSS?

For my capstone piece, I made a pavé pigeon brooch, inspired by the shape and colors of a pigeon. It was very silly and fun. That became the centerpiece for our final exhibition.

I also made a pair of forged gold hoops that were definitely challenging. They have a hinge and a clasp, so there’s a lot of tweaking. I had to fix my mistakes on the laser welder, which helped me develop my skills. They look so simple, but they’re deceptively complicated. Making those earrings was a turning point for me in terms of feeling like I really understood what I was doing. It was a very rewarding project.