College: Engineering

Year of Graduation: 2006

Current Occupation: Design Engineer -Caterpillar

What were you involved in during your time on campus? Illinois Lacrosse Club ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineering) Kappa Delta Rho Fraternity Inc. Lector at St. John's Catholic Chapel Pi Tau Sigma Mechanical Engineering Honor Society

What were your career goals when you graduated from Illinois? My goals were to acquire a design engineering position that would allow me to expand on my interests of cost savings and product/process efficiency improvements and become financially independent while eliminating school debts and saving towards puchasing a home.

Please list your top three major transitions (personal/professional/etc) that you have experienced? 1) Financial dependence in school to being solely responsible for a mortgage, budget, and property maintenance. 2) The change from full-time academics to the working world. 3) Single-life to married life.

What things did you learn in college that you used in your career? While the course material is very valuable to my job function, the personal skills I gained are vital to my professional life. Proficiency in areas such as: checking work carefully, paying attention to detail, helping those in need even when you're busy (you never know when the roles will be reversed), and respecting others regardless of their various opinions or roles will get you recognized just as much as your actual work.

College: Applied Health Sciences

Year of Graduation: 1977

Current Occupation: Global General Counsel-Archon Group

What were you involved in during your time on campus? Fraternity - Alpha Delta Phi, Recreation and Intramurals - Board member, Head of Policy and Review Board, staff member, Volunteer with Champaign YMCA, Volunteer at Urbana High School ( Freshman Football Coach), College of Applied LIfe Studies - Counselor at Summer Sports Camp

What were your career goals when you graduated from Illinois? Upon graduation, desired to go to law school; thought perhaps i would return to Southern Illinois, have a legal practice and run for political office.

Please list your top three major transitions (personal/professional/etc) that you have experienced? 1. Going through a divorce. 2. Leaving the law firm at which I was a partner to become general counsel for Archon and then building a global company. 3. Currently, leading the integration of Archon into its parent entity, Goldman Sachs, and then the transition of what will be my next career/position.

What things did you learn in college that you used in your career? 1. Continue to intellectually curious, have a thirst to learn. 2. Be a leader. IQ is important but as you move higher in a company or any organization, your EQ will ultimately be more important. 3. Teamwork is critical in all that you do. If you work as a team, you will certainly accomplish more than if you work alone.

College: Agriculture

Year of Graduation: 1951

Current Occupation: Soybean Product Mgr.-Retired - Asgrow Seed Co.

College: Engineering

Year of Graduation: 2010

Current Occupation: Senior Associate Engineer-Caterpillar, Inc.

What were you involved in during your time on campus? As far as engineering/technical organizations, I was involved with Pi Tau Sigma (MechEng Honors Society), Tau Beta Pi (Engineering Honors Society) and ASME. I was also a member of the Phi Eta Sigma Honors Society, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and a James Scholar for the College of Engineering. I had three summer internships throughout college, all as a Mechanical Engineer at Motorola in Arlington Heights, IL, working on WiMAX/LTE transceivers for cell-towers. I was also a music minor at UIUC, and participated in many musical groups such as Marching Illini, Basketball Band, various Concert/Jazz bands, the Trumpet Studio, and a rock-cover band RSO (Illini Contraband) of which I was the musical director/chief arranger. I also participated in intramural sports such as flag football and softball.

What were your career goals when you graduated from Illinois? When I graduated from Illinois, my aspirations were to obtain a full-time engineering career with a successful company where I could use and hone my technical skills as a design engineer. Originally I was interested in governmental national defense jobs, but decided to take a more stable route with a leading Fortune 500 company designing rugged construction/mining transmissions. I am currently with Caterpillar as a transmissions design engineer.

Please list your top three major transitions (personal/professional/etc) that you have experienced? I had multiple transitions throughout my educational/professional career, especially during high school, college, and finally after joining the professional world. My first transition was during my last years of high school when I was completing my Eagle Project as a Boy Scout. I learned the meaning of hard work and perseverance, and how to lead larger groups of people while learning from the experiences of others. This also taught me that the best rewards from hard work and leadership are not monetary, but are from within. A second transition occurred during the early years at Illinois, when I found many various outlets for creativity and personal growth. With the plethora of organizations and opportunities available while in my first few years “on my own,” I was able to grow exponentially as a professional and as a human being. My leadership and social skills developed greatly, while my work ethic faced its toughest challenge and succeeded. My third transition was more professional, and transpired once joining the “real world” when I graduated from college. I was finally on my own in a geographic and fiscal sense, and had to use the skills I learned throughout my educational career to survive as a young professional in a leading corporation. I learned that how I lived and presented myself in and out of the workplace defined my character as a professional and an adult.

What things did you learn in college that you used in your career? I use an enormous amount of the academic skills I learned in college in my current job-role, but it does not stop there. I learned to create quality and presentable work, as well as how to meet aggressive deadlines while involved in multiple activities/projects. The most important skill I honed in college was my ability to multi-task and manage my time throughout the various and diverse organizations that I was a part of; I succeeded by learning to “compartmentalize” my work to reduce stress and produce quality work. I also developed my social skills greatly throughout my college-years by participating in an assortment of group activities and by performing as a musician. The time I spent as a public speaker/performer was invaluable for preparing me to be a young professional.

College: Engineering

Year of Graduation: 2002

Current Occupation: Senior Information Assurance Analyst-DoD

What were you involved in during your time on campus? UC Hip Hop, NSBE, NCSA, Coffeehouse@ourhouse

What were your career goals when you graduated from Illinois? Initially I was just interested in doing work that was not repetitive and challenging.

Please list your top three major transitions (personal/professional/etc) that you have experienced? Intern to full-time employee, Acting Team Lead assignment, and any of the four directorate reorganizations I've experienced (new responsibilities and structure)

What things did you learn in college that you used in your career? I learned how to manage the expectations of my authority figure (professor), the basics of time management, how to create and recognize extraneous wording in documentation (aka fluff), and never to trust statistics.

College: Business

Year of Graduation: 2006

Current Occupation: Coordinator, Diversity & Inclusion-Hyatt Hotels Corporation

What were you involved in during your time on campus? Most of my involvement was as a Resident Advisor and leading the newly founded Intersections floor at PAR which focused on Diversity. I also worked within the Illini Union banquet function.

What were your career goals when you graduated from Illinois? To become an event planner or work for a PR/Ad agency.

Please list your top three major transitions (personal/professional/etc) that you have experienced? 1) Having my first full-time "adult" job and everything that went with that (appearance, manner, etiquette). 2) Getting married and purchasing a home. 3) Learning when and how to get promoted and how I could influence this within the organization I worked for.

What things did you learn in college that you used in your career? There were a number of things I took with me: 1)Learning to deal with problems (mine or others) whether it's on a personal or professional matter. 2)How to effectively communicate 3)Learning to work on teams 4)Showing energy, excitement and ownership in your work 5)Developing authentic work relationships from people with different cultural backgrounds 6)Professionalism

College: Business

Year of Graduation: 1994

Current Occupation: Senior Human Resources Manager, Global Operations-Procter & Gamble

What were you involved in during your time on campus? U of I Black Chorus, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., University radio station,

What were your career goals when you graduated from Illinois? I wanted to be in Advertising - to one day lead an Ad Agency.

Please list your top three major transitions (personal/professional/etc) that you have experienced? Starting my career with P&G in a different state than where I grew up. Helping my Husband deal with the death of his family and taking on responsibility for two nephews Switching functions (Sales to HR)

What things did you learn in college that you used in your career? I learned how to meet new people and step out of my comfort zone, I learned to prioritize my time and effort.

College: LAS

Year of Graduation: 1978

Current Occupation: Senior Counsel, Real Estate Law Dept.-Bridgestone Retail Operations, LLC

What were you involved in during your time on campus? Illini Union Board, Board Member and Chair of Student Activities; Star Course, Junior Manager for Public Relations

What were your career goals when you graduated from Illinois? I was planning on going to law school which I did after graduation.

Please list your top three major transitions (personal/professional/etc) that you have experienced? Leaving my first law job at a large law firm to join a smaller law firm (professional) Leaving private practice of law to go in-house for a large company (professional) Divorce and remarriage (personal)

What things did you learn in college that you used in your career? Problem solving and how to obtain and analyze data and other information; there are no shortcuts to success only hardwork; being an advocate for things I believe in without alienating other people.

College: Engineering

Year of Graduation: 1991

Current Occupation: IT Manager-Monsanto

What were you involved in during your time on campus? Engineering co-op program

What were your career goals when you graduated from Illinois? To find a good job where I could provide impact to the organization by providing others the tools or training that they needed to succeed.

Please list your top three major transitions (personal/professional/etc) that you have experienced? Completing college and moving from my life long home state of Illinois to New Orleands, Louisiana. Moving from Augusta, Georga to St Louis and moving from beeing a people leader back to an individual contributer. Taking over the Seminis IT Infrastructure lead position that had responsability for tems all over the world.

What things did you learn in college that you used in your career? Working toghether on a team. Managing to deadlines. Having fun while you work. IT technical skills.

College: Engineering

Year of Graduation: 1994

Current Occupation: University Research Manager-Rolls-Royce

What were you involved in during your time on campus? I was a student manager for the basketball team, a member of the solar car team, and 1st place award winner of the Senior Design Project competition.

What were your career goals when you graduated from Illinois? When I graduated from Michigan, my goal was to join an industry that produced fascinating and challenging engineering products. The aerospace industry certainly fits that description. I also had a goal to become of leader of the technical community.

Please list your top three major transitions (personal/professional/etc) that you have experienced? High school to college Engineering to Human Resources No children to children

What things did you learn in college that you used in your career? Tackling difficult technical problems, planning work, working with and leading diverse teams.

College: LAS

Year of Graduation: 1981

Current Occupation: AVID Coordinator/Teacher-School District U-46

What were you involved in during your time on campus? Ebony Umoja Iota Phi Lambda Sorority

What were your career goals when you graduated from Illinois? Finding a job I enjoyed and becoming self supportive

Please list your top three major transitions (personal/professional/etc) that you have experienced? 1. Marriage and motherhood 2. Earning my doctorate 3. Recently becoming an empty nester

What things did you learn in college that you used in your career? I learned that self determination is a valuable characteristic when facing life's challenges. It keeps you going when your courage waivers.

College: Engineering

Year of Graduation: 1989

Current Occupation: Director-State Farm

What were you involved in during your time on campus? While attending U of I, I had the opportunity to participate in three different internships. I was a General Electric Scholar and interned with GE at Appliance Park in Louisville, KY and GE Medical in Naperville, IL. I also had an internship with IBM in Chicago, IL. I was active with two primary groups on campus, the Association of Minority Students in Engineering (AMSIE) and Iota Phi Theta fraternity.

What were your career goals when you graduated from Illinois? Upon graduating from the University of Illinois, I sought to find employment with a leading corporation that would allow me to grow and develop personally and professionally. I was interested in being able to blend technology and business concepts in a way that would help other people.

Please list your top three major transitions (personal/professional/etc) that you have experienced? Three major transitions I have experienced are: - Transitioning from College to the workforce. - Changing jobs and working at different corporations. - Changing the type of job I performed, moving from being an individual contributor to being a member of management. Personal transitions include getting married, starting a family and experiencing teenage/college age children.

What things did you learn in college that you used in your career? My college career was vey rewarding for me. The skills I gained and the growth I experienced have helped shape me into who I am today. Some of the lessons I learned include the following: - Self motivation and discipline - Problem solving - A commitment to excellence - Working collaboratively in groups and teams - Fundamentals of business operations - Building, defining and leading an organization

College: LAS

Year of Graduation: 1983

Current Occupation: consultant-self

What were you involved in during your time on campus? President of AEPhi Sorority Student Government Psych Dept Intern Office of Admin Affairs Self Study

What were your career goals when you graduated from Illinois? Work in a corporate environment.

Please list your top three major transitions (personal/professional/etc) that you have experienced? 1. Working full time at a global organization and moving to part time consultant (currently semi- retired) 2. Within the organization at work, having 40 people reporting to me, to a business manager position with no people reporting to me. 3. Personally, moving to Amtsteram for work. New country, new job, new friends!

What things did you learn in college that you used in your career? Communication skills, multi-tasking, working with people from many backgrounds.

College: Business

Year of Graduation: 1983

Current Occupation: Principal-Strategic Wealth Partners, LLC

What were you involved in during your time on campus? Beta Alpha Psi Accounting Honorary Fraternity - Treasurer Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity - Secretary / Historian Summer internships with two public accounting firms

What were your career goals when you graduated from Illinois? I anticipated a career in public accounting, with the ultimate goal of becoming a partner in one of the (then) Big 8 firms.

Please list your top three major transitions (personal/professional/etc) that you have experienced? 1. My years at Illinois - I learned to participate in a wide array of activities, explored courses of study I previously knew nothing about and stepped up to assume several leadership roles. 2. In 1994 I changed careers and began to develop my own client base in the investment field. 3. In 2008 I established my own wealth management firm with a partner. We now oversee approximatley $800 million in client assets and have a staff of 7 others.

What things did you learn in college that you used in your career? While I don't typically use much of the specific course knowledge I gained at Illinois, the interpersonal and other skills I developed are things I use daily. Organizational skills, how to effectively deal with people, taking a leadership role, etc. are all things I learned while in Champaign and that serve me well to this day.

Year of Graduation: 1998

What were you involved in during your time on campus? ROTC, Greek Life, La Casa

What were your career goals when you graduated from Illinois? To become a lawyer

Please list your top three major transitions (personal/professional/etc) that you have experienced? 1. Choosing to go to graduate school instead of law school. 2. Military deployment during graduate school. 3. Transitioning from working a commnunity colleges to a four year university.

What things did you learn in college that you used in your career? Communication, writing and research skills.

Year of Graduation: 1996

Current Occupation: Program Director-UIUC

What were you involved in during your time on campus? College students are much nearer the beginning of a long series of transitions and developing relationships than near the end. I would love to help in that journey.

What were your career goals when you graduated from Illinois? I currently teach a class at the University about creating sustainable change, which, at its essence, is about managing transitions and creating the types of relationships necessary to be effective. Personally, I’ve now lived in five different cities in three states and have had jobs that have ranged from college educator to town landfill employee.

Please list your top three major transitions (personal/professional/etc) that you have experienced? Most of my time, when engaged in academics, were spent on the ultimate frisbee field. When I wasn’t doing either of those things, I was involved as a Resident Advisor and Orientation Leader.

What things did you learn in college that you used in your career? At the time of graduation, I really wanted to be a high school counselor.

College: LAS

Year of Graduation: 1990

Current Occupation: Vice President Commercial Specialty Auto Program-RLI Insurance

What were you involved in during your time on campus? I was active in a variety of organizations from the Greek tem where I was the VP of Finance and President of Triangle Fraternity, to serving on the SORF Board and the Student Senate, I was a member of Orange Crush and very active in the Newman Center. Finally I was a volunteer coach for the YMCA.

What were your career goals when you graduated from Illinois? My career goals were to enter an actuarial training program that would lead to greater roles and responsibilites with an insurance company.

Please list your top three major transitions (personal/professional/etc) that you have experienced? The biggest transition was career, moving from what I thought was an analytical career to a marketing and product centered role. It took a few jobs, grad school, and a career coach to get there. Transitioning from a place you want to live to a place where you need to live. Transitioning from a son to a father as well as a son who now needs to take care of his parents instead of them taking care of him.

What things did you learn in college that you used in your career? The number one thing I learned was how to communicate with others from a broad spectrum, administrators, professors, alumni, and other students. The second thing I learned is the value of hard work and seeing a job through to completion (anyone remember building a HC float til the early hours of the morning). The third item is that Illinois is where I learned time management and organization skills.

College: College of Liberal Arts & Science

Year of Graduation: 2007

Current Occupation: CEO -Self-Employed

College: LAS

Year of Graduation: 2010

Current Occupation: Co-Founder/Artist-Nu Pursuit Entertainment

What were you involved in during your time on campus? Sudden ImpaQ, Ink., Black Chorus, Resident Advisor, Orientation Student Leader, McNair Scholar, President's Award Scholar, Atius-Sachem, Leadershape, RA Council, AAA Fashion Show, Undergraduate Advisor, Student Ambassadors, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity, Latino Fashion Show, Cotton Club, Fiesta

What were your career goals when you graduated from Illinois? My goals were to start my own record label, and become a success entertainment manager/producer.

Please list your top three major transitions (personal/professional/etc) that you have experienced? 1. It is always important to have a good support tem to help celebrate your successes and cushion the blows of the failures. 2. Networking is always important. You never know when that one contact can lead to a significant step toward your future goals. 3. Never lose sight of who you are, what you believe in, or the goals you set for yourself.

What things did you learn in college that you used in your career? I've learned that networking and good leadership skills are important in any career path.

Year of Graduation: 1993

Current Occupation: Sr. Engineering Specialist - Machine Controls-Caterpillar, Inc.

What were you involved in during your time on campus? Society of Automotive Engineers, Formula Car SAE Project, Engineering EXPO and Open House, intramural sports, I-Guide, I-Block, chemistry lab and material sciences grader

What were your career goals when you graduated from Illinois? I wanted to become a successful engine developer at Ford Motor Company. My goal was to become a chief engineer in order to influence and impact major engineering areas.

Please list your top three major transitions (personal/professional/etc) that you have experienced? 1. I changed majors after my first semester from Biology to Mechanical Engineering. After graduating and accepting a job at Ford Motor Company, I moved from a small town to a metro Detroit suburb four hundred miles from any family. 2. After a ten year career at Ford, I transitioned to a new career back in Illinois in 2004 at Caterpillar, Inc. I have had to adapt from the automotive world to heavy duty off-road machinery technology, requirements, and development processes in addition to creating new peer networks. 3. In 2007, my son was diagnosed with Celiac Disease so we have had to transition to a 100% no gluten/no wheat diet.

What things did you learn in college that you used in your career? Analytical training obviously, but that only accounts for a modest portion of success in the “real world”. I expanded my competitive traits by having to compete with my high-performing peers in college – i.e. getting good grades, setting the curve, having your work and projects stand out from other students. You have to have those abilities to really succeed in corporate life. Team projects in college helped to grow the necessary skills for corporate life where you have to work in cross-functional arenas. Technical writing and profession presentation classes were especially useful since many career paths require that decisions be made in team meetings. You have to be able to present and sell your ideas directly and yet concisely – many times to people who are polar opposite to your direction.

College: Fine and Applied Arts

Year of Graduation: 1980

Current Occupation: Principal-Eastlake Studio

What were you involved in during your time on campus? Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity Versailles Study Abroad Program Allerton American Traveling Fellowship (Excellence in Architectural History) Teaching Assistant for Arch 171 (First Year Design Studio) Assistant to the Design Committee

What were your career goals when you graduated from Illinois? My primary goals were to obtain my architectural license within two years after graduation and have my own practice by the time I was 30.

Please list your top three major transitions (personal/professional/etc) that you have experienced? Transition from student to employee Transition from employee to owner Transition from husband to dad Transition from renter to homeowner

What things did you learn in college that you used in your career? I worked hard and played hard, learning how important balance is I learned self-sufficiency... Studying in France, I learned not only about different cultures and how the US is perceived by others, but also what was truly important to me.