Career Path Plus
By Joseph Giovannetti
“Having a scholarship gave me the freedom to do what I’m doing today because I’m not sitting on a mountain of debt,” says Margaret Lee (ME/EGMT ’17), a former Camras scholar [below] now living and freelancing in New York. This is a common sentiment from students in Illinois Institute of Technology’s scholarship and leadership programs; not only are students better prepared for positions of leadership, but the philanthropy that provides full-tuition scholarships enables them to fearlessly set their sights high, pursuing career paths both planned or unplanned. Meet some young alumni who rose to the opportunities they received as students:
Lee double-majored in mechanical engineering and engineering management with an eye on a career in renewable energy. Her participation in Illinois Tech’s student-led theater troupe led her toward a successful career as a director/choreographer. Though her background in engineering helps her to creatively meld the artistic and technical side of theater-making, Lee is most grateful for the formative leadership experiences she found at the university. “At the end of the day, the best experiences at IIT aren't always the ones in the classroom,” says Lee. “You have to constantly listen to what’s tugging at your heartstrings in order to have a fulfilling career and life.”
Chicago native and former M.A. and Lila Self Leadership Academy student Cara Karter (CECD ’16) says that her course of study was a natural extension of her “early and sustained interest in community, and in particular, this city.” Combined with her passion for working with teens, Karter discovered a career path in youth-focused evaluation at policy-research firm Chapin Hall, where she works to engage the community and policymakers to implement positive solutions for Illinois families. “I'm always trying to make sure that the evaluations that I design and influence elevate the voices of people who are typically underrepresented in the policymaking process,” says Karter.
Peter Chinetti (CPE ’15) studied computer engineering, but as a member of the first cohort of Duchossois Scholars, landed a summer internship at Goldman Sachs, where he discovered a passion for finance. He is now based out of Goldman Sach’s Hong Kong office. “[Finance] has a tighter feedback loop than most engineering projects. If your idea is 10 percent more effective, you’ll make 10 percent more dollars,” Chinetti explains.
Brandon Simons (EE ’18) wanted to channel his expertise into projects that could make a social impact. He now lives in Zambia as a Peace Corps volunteer, applying aquaponic farming practices he developed through research and the Interprofessional Projects (IPRO) Program at Illinois Tech. As the youngest-ever member of the Leadership Academy, Simons received guidance from his older peers and discovered a passion for encouraging other STEM students to seek out leadership positions. “Sometimes STEM students seem almost afraid to step up and take that leadership position,” says Simons. “How many people in Congress have a STEM background?”