11. Nothing is set in stone - Paul Gavin
Happiness and Success after Illinois Tech
Release Date: 07/12/2023
32. Things will work out how they're supposed to - Sam Bruns
Happiness and Success after Illinois Tech
More about Sam: Things will work out how they're supposed to, says Sam Bruns. https://www.linkedin.com/in/samrbruns/ Stay in touch with Career Services: Instagram: @CareerServicesatIllinoisTech https://www.instagram.com/careerservicesatillinoistech/ Facebook: @Career Services at Illinois Tech https://www.facebook.com/iitcareerservices/ X: @IITCareers https://twitter.com/IITCareers Illinois Tech Career Services Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14088794/ Check out Illinois Tech Connect: https://illinoistechconnect.iit.edu/
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31. What's your reason for waking up - Aybige Tek
Happiness and Success after Illinois Tech
What’s your reason for waking up each day? It’s a darn good question, I think. My guest this week, Aybige Tek, knew what, how and why regarding her purpose, from the start. Not so common, but she knew it! She was even preparing herself at an early age, drawing cities and furniture before her formal education began. When she finally arrived, Illinois Tech helped her stay motivated all along the way. While considering a degree, I agree with her that school needs to be meaningful and making connections along the way will help make it so. When you’re...
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30. You can lead from anywhere - Jim Muraida
Happiness and Success after Illinois Tech
My guest this week, Jim Muraida, knew he wanted to study mechanical engineering, but he did not know what kind of work he wanted to do. Sound familiar? Then one day, a company visited the Illinois Tech campus (Sargent & Lundy), and he pursued an opportunity there. He went from participating in a co-op program as a mechanical engineer to becoming a tennis racquet designer at Wilson Sports. He attended the US open and even met Michael Jordan and Chris Evert. I hope you’ve heard of these outstanding athletes! After doing a lot of research and traveling to vendors and...
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29. Picture your life - Daniel Wittig
Happiness and Success after Illinois Tech
My guest this week graduated in 2019 with a BS in Chemical Engineering, and a minor in Business. When he began, he was an undecided engineering major exploring his options. Good at math and science and fascinated with chemistry, he kept at it until he figured out what he wanted to study. He loved learning! As he worked to complete his degree, he was focused on school and summer work, and though he regrets not having an internship and realizes it may have been a disadvantage, he found a role within a few months of graduation. Not too shabby, friends. Looking back, he wishes he...
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28. Act with a sense of urgency, not panic - Chloe Rubinowicz
Happiness and Success after Illinois Tech
Can you go into sales with an engineering background? The short answer is yes. My guest this week, Chloe Rubinowicz, is an electrical engineering graduate, and gets to experience new things every day. Instead of just one specialty, she’s constantly learning about cool, new projects from her clients and is really having fun at work. What a concept! Though she wasn’t able to obtain an internship during the pandemic, she managed to work around it. Internships are important, but projects and other experiences are possible, if you keep your options open and explore...
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27. Don't miss out on life - Gus Lawson
Happiness and Success after Illinois Tech
My guest this week, Gus Lawson, was always pretty driven. When he was a teenager, he saw F14s every day and decided he would study aerospace engineering. After watching the movie Top Gun, he was mesmerized. Who wasn’t? He was in the ROTC and Navy, when he realized he wasn’t using his specialized skill set. He lacked purpose. Along the way he had many different jobs so he could build connections and have fun experiences. Advice from Gus: Your work ethic will only take you so far It’s important to give first and help others Develop relationships Play detective; what...
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26. Engineering, Disney, and Beyond - Zuly Gomez
Happiness and Success after Illinois Tech
My guest this week, Zuly Gomez, graduated with an engineering degree in 2014, working four jobs after graduation to get where she is today. In high school, she realized she loved architecture and creating spaces. As she navigated challenges and figured out where she wanted to be, it was her dream to work at Disney someday. Through many curveballs and hard won determination, Zuly has a lot of wisdom to share. Zuly’s advice: Get involved and meet people Ask questions and explore Build relationships and go to conferences Take risks If it’s not where you’re meant to be,...
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25. The last few years have been a dream - Sukrit Mishra
Happiness and Success after Illinois Tech
My guest this week, Sukrit Mishra, was an international graduate student studying chemical engineering, when he took an elective and discovered sustainability. Very soon after, he decided he wanted to use his expertise and education for good. Ultimately he switched his graduate program curriculum. Along the way, though he wishes he had a mentor and wasn’t secluded in his dorm room so much, he hustled and worked diligently. And he figured out that asking yourself what you’re meant to be doing is the ultimate question. What advice does he have for you? • Discover all...
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24. Falling in love @ Illinois Tech - Alysia DeSimone
Happiness and Success after Illinois Tech
Alysia DeSimone found Illinois Tech by accident, after hearing from one of her friends that it may be a good fit for her. She came to visit, and fell in love with the people (quite literally😊). Then, she majored in chemical and environmental engineering. (No small feat.) And even played soccer for Illinois Tech! Though she graduated during Covid, she took advantage of research opportunities that interested her on campus, which led to more prospects for her career. While on the job hunt, she found out pretty quickly: STEM degrees can be...
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23. Every "no" brings you closer to a "yes" - Marilyn Flowers
Happiness and Success after Illinois Tech
My guest this week, Marilyn Flowers, was a commencement speaker in 2023, a student advisor, and an ITM major. Now she’s an Associate Site Reliability Engineer at CDW. Her chief message during her speech was the importance of leadership and community, and demonstrating how helping each other succeed is of the utmost significance. She also shares this advice: Keep your eyes and ears open Expand your filter of opportunities Continue to learn – college is just the beginning Practice makes perfect Know what YOU bring to the table Believe in yourself Oh, and reach out for...
info_outlineFrom finance to coder to wealth management, my guest this week, Paul Gavin, tells us: either adapt or change your path.
This is great advice, because in any given career decision, it ultimately comes down to these two choices.
For certain, Illinois Tech played a role in Paul's success in finance, where he learned how important the technical side of finance would become.
Then something changed. As we know, progress means change. And change will always come.
Paul offers the following advice:
- We’re always evolving. So don't be afraid if it doesn't feel right; that means something must change.
- Nothing is set in stone.
- Another direction does not mean failure.
- Look ahead; merge tech skills with trends.
- Bringing ideas to the table is great, but executing them is the key!
- Speak up! You're there for a reason.
What would he have changed? You'll have to listen in to learn more.
More about Paul:
Paul Gavin is a former trader and experienced financial professional. After receiving his undergrad from St. Norbert College in economics, he enrolled in IITs financial modeling program in order to adapt to the changing environment in the financial space with how it relates to technology. Learning C++, Java and Python allowed Paul to develop automated trading strategies that helped grow his trading business.
Paul has always had an entrepreneurial mindset as well, and he felt there was a major disconnect on social media between the Facebooks/Instagrams of the world and the LinkedIns, especially for the high school and college market. That’s why he’s developing a new app that allows students and adults alike to promote themselves on social media in order to be discovered and found by everyone from peers, colleges/universities, and hiring agencies. He feels the current state of social media needs a positive refresh, and he’s excited to launch the app in the coming months.
Outside of work and creating his startup, Paul is very active in marathons and triathlons. He’s completed 5 Ironman triathlons, 18 marathons, and 5 Boston marathons. He’s currently training for Ironman number 6, and he’s always found the discipline involved in Ironman training has carried over to other areas of his life and has had nothing but a positive impact.
Stay in touch with Career Services:
Instagram: @CareerServicesatIllinoisTech
https://www.instagram.com/careerservicesatillinoistech/
Facebook: @Career Services at Illinois Tech
https://www.facebook.com/iitcareerservices/
Twitter: @IITCareers
https://twitter.com/IITCareers
Illinois Tech Career Services Group:
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14088794/
Check out Illinois Tech Connect:
https://illinoistechconnect.iit.edu/