Happiness and Success after Illinois Tech

Wondering what's possible after attending Illinois Tech? Check out these inspiring conversations with alumni who've created happy, successful careers and are eager to share their stories about how they navigated college and their careers. You'll hear useful tips and advice from a wide-array of people who are living proof that anything truly is possible, especially when you attend Illinois Tech.

30. You can lead from anywhere - Jim Muraida 04/17/2024

29. Picture your life - Daniel Wittig 04/03/2024

28. Act with a sense of urgency, not panic - Chloe Rubinowicz 03/20/2024

28. Act with a sense of urgency, not panic - Chloe Rubinowicz 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 what’s available. How’d she get experience without an internship? She entered a competition, applied herself, made it to the final round, and then? You’ll have to listen in. Her lessons to share: Start sooner and take advantage of all the resources available to you Act with a sense of urgency, not panic Find alumni connections and take advantage of the alumni board Companies are looking to see what you’re able to do, the soft skills you bring, and what you can offer whether it’s from an internship, a project, or a competition. It’s your job to figure out how to show employers what you’re capable of. More about Chloe: Chloe Rubinowicz is a dynamic professional currently excelling in tech sales as an Account Manager at Keysight Technologies. With a robust academic background from Illinois Tech, she holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering and is currently pursuing her MBA. Chloe’s collegiate journey was marked by significant leadership roles, including an executive position in Student Government and presidency of the IEEE chapter, alongside being an athlete on the NCAA Division III women’s basketball team. She continues to demonstrate her technical expertise and entrepreneurial spirit through her involvement as CCO and co-founder of a new startup, Mosaic. 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/ /episode/index/show/c0218e2c-20a2-4d3b-809f-6d3880c1fedf/id/29650198

27. Don't miss out on life - Gus Lawson 03/06/2024

27. Don't miss out on life - Gus Lawson 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 do you have in common with them? Don’t be transactional Ask: What’s something you’re excited about? Trust your gut He believes we’re all on different timelines. And that’s okay. So don’t compare yourself to others. We both believe: even if you’re not exactly where you want to be, you can be happy along the way. You must strive for this. Check out my book if you want to learn more about being happy along the way. More about Gus: Gus Lawson is a change management consultant who used to believe hard work and results speak for itself. He didn’t see the value in networking. In 2015, after 11 years with a large firm, he found himself on a new team without a clearance and no available projects. With no leadership advocates, he found himself unemployed. Gus realized he wouldn’t find his next job by solely applying online. He knew he had to gain comfort with networking. It took him six months to find his next role. While he did gain comfort with networking, he experienced a lot of pain in the process. He had to tap into his 401K and cope with the stress on the family and lowered confidence. Ultimately, he had to settle for a $30K pay cut when he found his role. After establishing his networking routine, opportunities come to him. He has never had to file for unemployment, feels comfortable asking for help, and advocates for himself. He's on a mission to keep others from experiencing the pain he endured. He helps people create positive beliefs about networking, develop their networking strategy, establish their networking routine, and build strong relationships. He’s provided workshops for organizations that help transitioning Service Members, such as a Hiring Our Heroes, United Service Organizations, Inc. 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/ /episode/index/show/c0218e2c-20a2-4d3b-809f-6d3880c1fedf/id/29039203

26. Engineering, Disney, and Beyond - Zuly Gomez 02/21/2024

26. Engineering, Disney, and Beyond - Zuly Gomez 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, it’s not… She once heard from a mentor the very wise sentiment, “your life story is your leadership story”. I love this concept. You create the life you want. Today, Disney is still the dream. I believe she’ll get there. More about Zuly: Zuly Gomez holds a Master’s in Construction Engineering and Management and a B.S. in Architectural Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology, with minors in Psychology and Architecture. During her tenure at IIT, Zuly's leadership qualities shone through as a distinguished Leadership Academy Scholar and Program Director of the Exelon Institute Program. Additionally, she played a pivotal role in the early stages of the IIT Idea Shop, an innovation and entrepreneurship hub dedicated to leveraging technology for positive community impact. Within these influential programs, her passion for technology blossomed, coupled with her unwavering motivation to empower individuals to think differently. These experiences underscore her dedication to both academic and community-driven pursuits. A life-changing experience prompted Zuly to pivot towards healthcare. Her unique skill set, grounded in technology, engineering, and innovation, paved the way for her journey into the healthcare sector. This fusion of expertise reflects her commitment to excellence and a profound drive for positive societal changes. Zuly is an entrepreneur with a versatile portfolio of startup ventures, serving as both a Founder and Founding member across various sectors, ranging from Education to Healthcare. She cultivated expertise in strategic business development, leadership, partnerships and collaborations, and customer experience and engagement, expanding her impact domestically and globally. She is passionate about fostering access and equality in healthcare and education and championing women's empowerment. Complementing her professional endeavors, she demonstrates a profound commitment to community empowerment, reflected in her impactful roles on nonprofit boards and active community volunteering. Zuly is not just a professional but a compassionate advocate for positive change, an accomplished leader, and a community builder. Her diverse experiences, skills, and commitment to making a difference showcase a unique blend of expertise and heart in everything she does. 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/ /episode/index/show/c0218e2c-20a2-4d3b-809f-6d3880c1fedf/id/29039188

25. The last few years have been a dream - Sukrit Mishra 02/07/2024

24. Falling in love @ Illinois Tech - Alysia DeSimone 01/24/2024

23. Every "no" brings you closer to a "yes" - Marilyn Flowers 01/10/2024

23. Every "no" brings you closer to a "yes" - Marilyn Flowers 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 people who want to guide and support you. Courage and persistence is key in finding the job that’s meant for you. I couldn’t agree more! More about Marilyn: 2023 Student Commencement Speaker, 7x award recipient, and Wendorf Scholar, Marilyn Flowers, graduated in 2023 with a Bachelor's degree in Information Technology and Management. Marilyn spent her time advocating for change in her community as President of the Black Student Union and fueling her passion for technology. During her time at the university, she gained experience as a Software Engineer Intern and Research Scholar. As a trailblazer in tech, she is now the first Associate Site Reliability Engineer in CDW's ACE Program. She continues her mission of inspiring others to realize that their lives are their own to design and treasure and to feel freedom in their professional journey. Quote: "Graduates today, history makers tomorrow." (Flowers, 2023). 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/ /episode/index/show/c0218e2c-20a2-4d3b-809f-6d3880c1fedf/id/29039133

22. Never question what you have to offer - Ahmad Muhammad 12/13/2023

21. Smart people try first - Lauren Joyce Hensel 12/06/2023

20. They hire people, not qualities - Masha Staub 11/15/2023

20. They hire people, not qualities - Masha Staub My guest this week majored in Mechanical Engineering and minored in math, and now works as a Software Development Consultant. Masha Staub, class of 2022, loved building things, and she loved computer science. Then, a great company who wanted to help her grow and strengthen her interests in coding, found her. On LinkedIn. They put her in a boot camp to learn how they work (Agile), and she learned more about consulting. This is what happens when you earn a degree and have a passion. People find you. Her advice: · Try something · Pull on that string; if it’s fun, keep pulling to figure out what you do and don’t like · Talk to someone at job fairs and network · They hire people, not qualities · Care about things · Not everything needs to be a perfect fit She and I agree: it’s very beneficial to know who you are. This will serve you well as you grow in your career. More about Masha: Masha Staub, a German-American immigrant, grew up knowing she wanted to go into STEM. She graduated from IIT with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Mathematics in 2022. Shortly after, she made a career change into software and now works as a Software Developer and Consultant for Thoughtworks. As the daughter of academics, she has always valued education and continuous growth. Outside of work, you'll catch her spending most of her time at the gym, whether she's running or learning boxing & Muay Thai. She's also been enjoying exploring Chicago and all it has to offer, especially before she moves back to Germany next year. LinkedIn: 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/ /episode/index/show/c0218e2c-20a2-4d3b-809f-6d3880c1fedf/id/28106978

19. Doing a good job is just the beginning - Jonathan Weiland 11/01/2023

18. You don't have to say yes to everything - Ameena Payne 10/18/2023

18. You don't have to say yes to everything - Ameena Payne My guest this week, Ameena Payne, grew up seeing people in business type roles and thought she’d major in business. So she earned her degree in business administration, then her masters and is now pursuing her PhD. What did she ultimately want to study? She didn’t know what was possible until she took this one unique course. She attended a design thinking class and it was aligned to her values. This class changed her entire mind-set about what she wanted in her life and what’s possible. Since then she has been creating her life based on what she wants the arch of her life to look like. Very smart indeed! She and I agree, you never know where your inspiration will come from. Stay away from people who say “You’re not going to find anything like that!” Maybe, just maybe… you’re the trailblazer! Her advice? Ameena wishes she had asked for help sooner. We all need help along the way and the sooner we ask for it, the sooner we can move along. Finally, you don’t have to grind yourself down. You don’t have to say yes to everything. In fact, it’s okay to say no. It may just open you up to another opportunity. Resist saying yes. Try it. More about Ameena: Ameena L. Payne is a PhD candidate and strategic scholarship holder at Deakin University’s Centre for Research in Assessment and Digital Learning (CRADLE). Her doctoral research aims to better understand the lived feedback experiences of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse postgraduate coursework students in Australia. Ameena is a recipient of the Alison Lee ‘Theory in Educational Research’ Scholarship (2023) as well as her alma mater’s Outstanding Young Alumna Award (2022). Her recent include ‘Humanising feedback encounters: a qualitative study of relational literacies for teachers engaging in technology-enhanced feedback’ (with Rola Ajjawi and Jessica Holloway) in Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education. Her website is , and she is occasionally active on . Feel free to get in touch via email at . 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/ /episode/index/show/c0218e2c-20a2-4d3b-809f-6d3880c1fedf/id/28269338

17. A discovery of love - Adam Lewis 10/04/2023

17. A discovery of love - Adam Lewis My guest this week took the scenic route. For those of you who are new to this phrase, he took the long way “there”. His first love was Kung Fu. That’s right. Adam Lewis did not care about computer science. He attended night school to finish high school, then went to community college. He wasn’t particularly excited about school at all. Then one day he saw the space shuttle and he was mesmerized thinking maybe he’d study aerospace. Next he discovered coding, and fell in love. He couldn’t get enough of it! He said it was a “discovery of love”. Then one day as a software developer, he was listening to someone talk about a vision for data and voice control, and he thought to himself about the speaker – “he’s who I want to be when I grow up”. System architecture was his new love. So he worked on a way to make it happen. How? By talking to people like the CTO at Motorola Solutions and said, “you’ll be happy you hired me”. And he was hired. Eventually he made his way into cybersecurity. Listen in to hear more. Adam’s advice: Discovering new worlds contributes to exponential growth, not incremental. Get involved in conferences and meet ups. Build your network before you need it. Participate and contribute, constantly. Be interested (passive), not interesting (active). Say “tell me more” and then listen. And connect. Practice that more. I love what Adam said, “curiosity is a hug” I couldn’t agree more. It’s telling people you care about what they are saying. That’s really one of the secrets to successful relationships and a successful career. Best advice ever: You own your career, NOT your employer. More about Adam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamcorylewis/ Stay in touch with Career Services: Instagram: @CareerServicesatIllinoisTech Facebook: @Career Services at Illinois Tech Twitter: @IITCareers Illinois Tech Career Services Group: Check out Illinois Tech Connect: /episode/index/show/c0218e2c-20a2-4d3b-809f-6d3880c1fedf/id/27813030

16. Share and value other perspectives - Alison McDonald 09/20/2023

15. The only thing for me - Frank Landaverde 09/06/2023

15. The only thing for me - Frank Landaverde A first generation, Latino electrical engineering alum, who struggled mightily, but came through with grit, given his awesome work ethic, is an inspiration to the Illinois Tech community who aspire to be more, no matter where they come from. “This is the only thing for me”, said my guest. Frank Landaverde realized early on, “it’s electrical engineering or bust!” During our conversation, he shares that it didn’t go well early in his college career. What changed it for him? He realized that in order to compete, succeed and get ahead, he needed to work harder than ever before. He was extremely motivated. And he reached his goals. What does he recommend? Study leadership concepts early on. You’ll be a better teammate and it will make you more successful. Think outside of the box. Find a mentor! Pay it forward. Develop something. Adapt and adjust Be part of the solution. If you follow any of his advice, you really could reach levels you’d never expect. Just ask Frank! More about Frank: Frank Landaverde (EE ’93) - Partner/Director of Engineering - Tel-IT Technology Solutions Frank is a passionate and accomplished engineering senior leader with a proven history of achieving results through team building, innovation, and customer focus in small-business and enterprise environments. He is currently leading the engineering efforts of Tel-IT Technology Solutions, servicing the technology needs of the SMB market segment in the Chicago area and beyond. He aims to provide world-class IT solutions including collaboration, hybrid work, and cloud adoption to enable customers achieve their business goals. Previously, Frank worked at Motorola for 20 years, rising through various levels of engineering leadership. Always advocating for the customer, he led various large, diverse, international teams in the deployment and optimization of cellular infrastructure in over 30 countries on 6 continents. In 2006, he was awarded the CDMA Quality Award for the development of his innovative process of defect containment though the injection of field deployment results into the earliest product development phases. Throughout his 30-year career, Frank has recognized the acute under-representation of people of color in the technology fields. A son of immigrant parents from El Salvador, he has lived through many of the obstacles that tend to limit the intelligent, talented, and hardworking individuals that come from underserved neighborhoods. He is now passionate about helping at-risk youth realize that they too, can have a future in technology. https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-landaverde-80b4916/ 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/ /episode/index/show/c0218e2c-20a2-4d3b-809f-6d3880c1fedf/id/27400686

14. The dots do eventually connect - Ankita Patwa 08/23/2023

13. Does the 4.0 matter? Liam Barrett 08/09/2023

13. Does the 4.0 matter? Liam Barrett As an international student, coming to Chicago for the first time, my guest this week, Hall-of-Famer, Liam Barrett, knew there were opportunities. As a soccer player in the UK, he wanted to see what was possible in the US. Through real life business experiences, and the IPRO advantages at Illinois Tech, he was getting what he needed. Regarding his time at Illinois Tech, what does he wish he would have done sooner? He would have talked to other international students and asked them how they did it. And considered other options after graduation. Looking back, he realizes now that his grades and soccer were probably too important to him. He wonders, did the 4.0 really matter? While you’re still a student, consider this: what’s your next step? Explore all of your opportunities. See the bigger picture. Finally, go for your passion not the money. It will lead you to what you want…straight away (and eventually). More about Liam: During his four years playing at Illinois Tech in Chicago Liam received many accolades for both his athletic and academic accomplishments, including twice being voted the Academic All American of the Year for the entire nation in 2011 and 2012. Liam broke the school and league records for both goals and overall points with 61 goals and 24 assists in just 69 appearances. He was a four time all-conference first team player and twice awarded conference player of the year for the CCAC. Liam graduated in 2013 with a perfect 4.0 Grade Point Average, finishing first in his graduating class. Since moving back to the UK in 2013, Liam has obtained an MBA (Distinction) from the University of East Anglia, being recognized as student of the year in the process. He also runs his own company, U.S Sports Scholarships, which has over 50 members of staff throughout the world and has successfully helped hundreds of student-athletes from all over the world with their placement at American universities. Stay in touch with Career Services: Instagram: @CareerServicesatIllinoisTech Facebook: @Career Services at Illinois Tech Twitter: @IITCareers Illinois Tech Career Services Group: Check out Illinois Tech Connect: /episode/index/show/c0218e2c-20a2-4d3b-809f-6d3880c1fedf/id/27435243

12. Trust yourself when you realize what you want - Julianna Kovacs 07/26/2023

11. Nothing is set in stone - Paul Gavin 07/12/2023

11. Nothing is set in stone - Paul Gavin From 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/ /episode/index/show/c0218e2c-20a2-4d3b-809f-6d3880c1fedf/id/26260437

10. Let's see what happens - Harshini Chellasamy 06/21/2023

10. Let's see what happens - Harshini Chellasamy My guest this week transferred to Illinois Tech her sophomore year in college, pursuing an ITM and Cybersecurity degree, graduating in 2021 with both degrees in hand. Impressive, don’t you think? Initially when she came to IIT, she tells me she was tuned out, though having fun, and didn’t take advantage of all the opportunities on campus. Early on, she wisely joined the Women in Cybersecurity organization on campus, then eventually became the president. Through her professors and mentorships at Illinois Tech, school org involvement and random events and connections, she did many things right. Attending events and conferences, while networking with leaders of big companies, contributed to her “let’s see what happens” attitude. When considering what she’d do differently, she wishes she would have taken more time to meet other students and professors as soon as she arrived at Illinois Tech. Harshini encourages all of us, students and grads, to lean on AND learn from other people! I couldn’t agree more. Listen in to learn all about her journey. More about Harshini: Harshini Chellasamy is a cybersecurity consultant with expertise in the Financial Services industry. She works closely with IT and Cybersecurity executives to implement enterprise-wide solutions for their organizations’ most complex challenges. Outside of work, Harshini is deeply involved with iMentor Chicago, a non-profit organization that closes the opportunity gap for high school students in the South and West sides of Chicago. https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/harshinichella 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/ /episode/index/show/c0218e2c-20a2-4d3b-809f-6d3880c1fedf/id/26936955

9. No one defines you, except you - Harold Morrow Jr. 06/07/2023

8. Engage in the moment - Anna Kladzyk Constantino 05/24/2023

8. Engage in the moment - Anna Kladzyk Constantino My guest this week studied civil engineering, then studied environmental engineering in graduate school. Even though she never envisioned this work, an amazing professor showed Anna Kladzyk Constantino that her technical skills could lead to something special. This professor changed Anna's life. After a few internships, graduate school, and considering what she wanted her lifestyle to be, she chose the path of consulting. As far as lessons learned earlier, she wishes she was a little easier on herself along the way. Her journey in school and beyond has taught her self-acceptance. Anna cautions those searching for guidance, the "right" answer may just limit you. When you're too focused on "what's right", you can't engage fully. Let go of those expectations and engage in the moment. Listen to other people! As far as a career path: think about what culture you'd like to work in, then ask for what you want. More about Anna: Anna Kladzyk Constantino is a civil and water resources engineer working on ecosystem studies, climate adaptation planning, and restoration design projects throughout the United States. Her technical expertise to support decision-making includes: hydrologic, geomorphic, geospatial, and statistical analyses; geospatial and hydrodynamic modeling; and preparation of reports and visualizations to effectively communicate findings to diverse groups. She is an adept leader of interdisciplinary teams working to address complex natural resource challenges and respond to community needs. Since 2020, she has been involved in the Earth Women’s Science Network, co-creating professional development opportunities for women in STEM. In 2016, Anna was a California Water Education Foundation Water Leader. Anna received her M.S. in Environmental and Water Resources Engineering from the University of Texas, Austin, where she was a Cockrell Engineering School and Thrust Fellow. She obtained her B.S. in Civil Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology, where she was a Presidential Scholar. 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/ /episode/index/show/c0218e2c-20a2-4d3b-809f-6d3880c1fedf/id/26260434

7. Limitations don’t necessarily matter - Luis Larco 05/10/2023

6. Do something every day to move forward - Jake Bruns 04/26/2023

5. It’s okay to walk in a new direction – Saumya Gupta 04/12/2023

4. Things are always changing - Parker Joncus 03/29/2023

3. You never know until you try - Alzira Maldonado 03/22/2023

3. You never know until you try - Alzira Maldonado My guest this week, Alzira Maldonado, is a 2014 grad and an architect who thinks both ideas and philosophy are cool. Me too! We talked about some really exciting projects she’s worked on and why she came to the US to study architecture. Alzira believes, as I do, that you never know until you try. There are many possibilities. You just need to explore. When she was studying at Illinois Tech and thinking about the type of job she might like, she wanted to be sure she could impact and elevate the community. Making a difference continues to be very important to her. And while we’re making a difference, we need to celebrate the little joys and small victories. I couldn’t agree more. Regarding networking, as your interests evolve, ask someone who is already doing the work. Find out who is willing to connect with you or mentor you. Join associations and groups free to students. Finally, enjoy the process, because once you get there, there will always be another goal. More about Alzira: Alzira Maldonado Protsishin, AIA, the AIA Chicago 2021 Young Architect Award winner, is a Senior Project Designer at EXP Architects Engineers where, for the past 9 years, she has focused her career on work in the public realm with the goal of making design excellence accessible to all. She has been a key contributor on some of the firm’s highest profile, award-winning projects, including the Washington Wabash Elevated Station, the 95th Street Dan Ryan Intermodal Terminal Station, and the recently completed US Courthouse in Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Alzira earned her Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Los Andes in Bogota, Colombia, and Master of Architecture Degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. She serves as a mentor and planning committee member in Arquitinas, and a mentor at the WING mentorship program. 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/ /episode/index/show/c0218e2c-20a2-4d3b-809f-6d3880c1fedf/id/26229789

2. There's always something new to learn - Alex Brown 02/22/2023

2. There's always something new to learn - Alex Brown Alex Brown graduated in 2013 with a civil engineering degree. Since then, he's had a few different roles at his company. Turns out he wasn't necessarily a good engineer. So he got more into construction management because he felt more connected to it. He knew he needed to find a different path. And now he uses his technical skills, combined with soft skills to teach other engineers. And it's a great fit! Alex wants us to know: "You have to find your seat on the bus." Listen in to hear how he got his first internship. Hint: it has to do with connections. He assures us, there's always something new to learn. The world is a big place. Get involved and discover what's possible. I couldn't agree more! More about Alex: Alex is a Product Champion at Vulcraft, which is a division of Nucor Steel. Vulcraft is North America’s largest producer of open web steel joist and metal decking. Alex learned about Vulcraft in the IIT class CAE 472 where the local sales manager is a guest lecturer every year. Alex was hired as a part-time intern while finishing his final semester. Shortly after graduating, he was hired as a Sales Engineer, based in the local sales office as the technical expert. In early 2022, he moved into a new role of Product Champion focused on developing new business opportunities for Vulcraft product to be specified. Alex is a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Indiana. He holds an Master of Business Administration from Aurora University and a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology. This upcoming March 2023, Alex will return to CAE 472 for his 9th year of presenting the guest lecture on Vulcraft joist and deck. 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/ /episode/index/show/c0218e2c-20a2-4d3b-809f-6d3880c1fedf/id/25927635

1. Engineer, Entrepreneur, and Circle Expander - Vignesh Rajagopal 02/01/2023

1. Engineer, Entrepreneur, and Circle Expander - Vignesh Rajagopal My first guest ever on our new podcast was a co-term candidate at Illinois Tech, (completing both his Masters and Bachelors degrees in 5 years), graduating in 2018. He was a member of the basketball team and a part of the great success of their comeback to a 23-5 season in 2016-17. And for those of you wondering, he began as an undecided engineering major. Turns out he thought it was cool, so he kept on that track, majoring in electrical engineering. One of the most important things Vigs reminds us is that you don’t need to know what you want to do for life when you graduate high school! I couldn't agree more. It's such a common myth. Along the way, sure he was discouraged at some points, but he graduated and landed in a great place. After a while he wanted more, and became a leader of his own team (because he has a great leader and they figured out how to make that happen). As a true entrepreneur and innovator, he co-created a really cool concept called Elevate (helping people experience interesting interactions in a social setting) through questions like “what does it feel like to be around you?” How cool is that? Some great advice we chatted about: Don’t be a consumer, be a creator Offer value, always Effort is required Expand your circle and make more connections Now go create something. No matter how small, your effort does count, and anything is possible. More about Vigs: Vignesh Rajagopal is a Senior Firmware Engineer at MP Consulting, an engineering design firm that helps bring your ideas to life. He graduated from Illinois Tech in 2018 with his BSEE and MSEE. He loves connecting with new people and finding threads in common based on our shared human experiences. He also loves helping others and giving back in whatever small way he can. Website: LinkedIn: 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/ /episode/index/show/c0218e2c-20a2-4d3b-809f-6d3880c1fedf/id/25776357

Happiness and Success after Illinois Tech

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