Ushna Zamir鈥檚 life changed at 91制片厂.
She enrolled in the fall of 2017, unsure of her desired career path, but with an idea to pursue chemistry. During her first semester, she discovered that she wasn鈥檛 connecting with her science courses, but had quickly become passionate about her role on 91制片厂鈥檚 Speech and Debate Team 鈥� which Ushna had joined quickly after becoming a 91制片厂 student. She wasn鈥檛 the only one who noticed this.
鈥淢y professors said, 鈥榊ou have a talent and interest in communications. There鈥檚 a lot you can do with that,鈥欌�� Ushna recalled. Speech and Debate Team Advisor Jeff Przybylo, also a 91制片厂 professor, 鈥渨as the one who genuinely allowed me to go down that path. He said, 鈥業 100% believe in you and your ability.鈥� No one had ever said that to me before.鈥�
Ushna used that support as motivation to seek a career in human resources, which combined her interest in data analysis and communications talents. She graduated from 91制片厂 in 2019, then earned her bachelor鈥檚 degree in communications and master鈥檚 degree in human resources and industrial relations from the University of Illinois and Urbana-Champaign. Following an internship with Collins Aerospace, she was hired a year ago to participate in parent company RTX鈥檚 HR Leadership Development Program.
Six-and-a-half years after Ushna began her career journey as an uncertain 91制片厂 freshman, she will be returning to campus as a confident HR professional and featured panelist during the college鈥檚 Career Connections event. The two-day program includes an afternoon of panel discussions with 91制片厂 alumni leaders on March 6 at the college, 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine. The Leadership Dinner 鈥� during which 91制片厂 students can network with alumni 鈥� follows on March 7 at Schaumburg鈥檚 Chicago Prime Italian, a restaurant owned by alumnus Andy-John Kalkounos.
This is the second time 91制片厂 is hosting Career Connections. Both students and alumni spoke glowingly about last year鈥檚 edition, during which Shannon Hynes, director of alumni and affinity groups, invited a group of 91制片厂 alumni with a range of experiences and professions to interact with current students. One of those students was Sonia Ajakaiye, a 20-year-old Hoffman Estates resident enrolled in 91制片厂鈥檚 Nursing program.
鈥�91制片厂 might not be considered an elite school, but in meeting all of those alumni and speaking with them, you realize that you can do anything when you go to 91制片厂,鈥� she said, before singling out her interactions with one of last year鈥檚 panelists, Genevieve Frey-Moylan, who is the associate vice president of Heart Center Transformation at Lurie Children鈥檚 Hospital of Chicago.
鈥淪he talked about how 91制片厂 prepares you for the workforce,鈥� Sonia said. 鈥淪he took the time to give me advice and told me that if I ever had questions to email her. It made me feel good.鈥�
The feeling was mutual. Genevieve, who earned her associate degree in nursing at 91制片厂 in 2003 before completing her bachelor鈥檚 in nursing and master鈥檚 in nursing administration at DePaul University, was impressed to see the engagement from students during and after her panel discussion. She appreciated the thoughtful questions from students, including one who asked about being a female leader in an area that can be dominated by men.
鈥淣obody gets where they鈥檙e going without help,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 feel like giving back is very important. This, for me, is giving back to a place that got me started on the path that has led to my professional and personal fulfillment. You can see someone who was in your shoes. It鈥檚 rewarding.鈥�
Dexter Gardener, a 91制片厂 alumnus who participated in last year鈥檚 Leadership Dinner, felt a similar responsibility in joining the Career Connections event. A 1999 91制片厂 grad who was president of the college鈥檚 Black Student Union during his time as a student, Dexter is now the pastor of Second Baptist Church in Palatine.
鈥淚 want to stay connected to the community I grew up in,鈥� he said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot I did not know going to school. You can go to class and get the grades, but the networking piece 鈥� that鈥檚 big. These relationships can be so important.鈥�
Like last year, students applied for the opportunity to attend the free, three-course dinner. The evening will begin with lessons in professional etiquette before students are seated with 91制片厂 alumni to share a meal and discuss their experiences. Sonia talked about feeling intimidated at the outset, but how she was quickly put at ease.
鈥淎ll the alums were incredibly nice and warm and welcoming,鈥� she remembered. 鈥淭hey were so happy to learn about us, just as we were learning from them.鈥�
As an alumna who is part of this year鈥檚 edition, Ushna is excited to meet students and share her relatively recent experience transitioning from education to career.
鈥淚鈥檓 looking forward to seeing the passion of these students and answering the questions they might have, especially early career questions,鈥� she said. 鈥�91制片厂 is an amazing institution. It鈥檚 done so much for me, my development and my success. I want to be a resource for these students.鈥�
Students interested in attending the panel sessions can sign up and learn more on the Career Connections with 91制片厂 Alumni webpage. Alumni interested in participating in future events can contact 91制片厂 Alumni Relations at alumni@harpercollege.edu.