FOCUS Scholar Success Stories
Alan Cervantes
Major: Political Science (Minor in Global Labor Studies and Philosophy)
Cohort: Fall 2023
What motivated you to apply to the FOCUS program?
"A person I look up to from my fraternity had forwarded an email advertising the FOCUS scholarship to me, and what caught my interest was the fact that he did it. He pushed it on a lot of us as he said from his experience, it had helped a lot. That semester, I was thinking a lot about my professional development and branching myself more throughout campus. As a first-gen Hispanic college student, you do tend to feel lost in terms of following a career path, and I saw that the FOCUS Program specifically targeted people like that. I wasn’t sure if I would get in, but I decided to take a shot and applied anyway, and thankfully I was accepted."
How would you describe your overall experience as a FOCUS scholar?
"As a FOCUS scholar, I was able to network with other students in a similar career path. I’m pre-law so it was awesome to meet other students with the same aspirations of practicing law in the future. Our mentor (who was also pre-law) frequently informed us of law-related opportunities, and it helped to get a headstart. All-in-all, I met all types of majors here, got to focus more on myself as a professional, and I left quite satisfied with my journey."
What was the most meaningful thing you learned or gained in the FOCUS program?
"All the tips about interviewing and networking stuck with me. I remember that I was interviewing for a research apprenticeship during the program, and we had just covered the best types of interviewing skills, so when I went on the Zoom call with the interviewer, I felt far more prepared than I usually do. I ended up scoring the apprenticeship which I’m very thankful for. In the future, I’ll make sure to remember the tips I was taught, just because I feel like it gives me an edge and makes me feel more prepared."
Victor Chavez
Major: Community Health
Cohort: Fall 2023
What motivated you to apply to the FOCUS program?
My motivation to apply to the FOCUS program was my initiative to grow professionally and expand my connections. I remember getting the invitation to apply and I had no idea how enriching the program was going to be for me.
How would you describe your overall experience as a FOCUS scholar?
My overall experience as a FOCUS scholar was enriching and enjoyable. The mentors really helped us along the way, and they were more than mentors, they were friends. I really enjoyed having conversations about the professional and corporate world and hearing the testimonies and opinions of other FOCUS scholars.
What was the most meaningful thing you learned or gained in the FOCUS program?
The most meaningful thing I was able to take away from the FOCUS program is to never be afraid to reach out, you never know how far you can go by just giving things a chance. Never be afraid of rejection, it’s always worth it to give anything a shot, even the professional world.
Jamari McClendon
Major: RST Sports Management
Cohort: Fall 2023
What motivated you to apply to the FOCUS program?
I applied to the FOCUS program because I was seeking guidance in jumpstarting my career exploration. Networking and improving communication skills are key, and FOCUS seemed like the perfect place to learn those. I know I needed a kickstart in my career journey, and FOCUS gave me the tools and knowledge to navigate the professional world like a pro.
How would you describe your overall experience as a FOCUS scholar?
As a FOCUS scholar, it’s been a real game-changer – a semester long career development initiative tailored to empower first-gen students like me. As a first-gen college student, I found myself navigating unfamiliar territory in terms of career development. Through FOCUS, I’ve not only strengthened my interviewing skills but also gained the confidence to navigate the professional world with purpose and determination.
What was the most meaningful thing you learned or gained in the FOCUS program?
Thanks to FOCUS, I’ve not only improved my interviewing abilities but also acquired the self-assurance to navigate through the professional world. FOCUS has empowered me to embrace my journey as a first-gen student and equipped me with the tools to excel in any professional arena. It taught me to break my nervous barriers, to ask for help, and to go after every opportunity that comes my way without hesitation.
Sirshaun Bush
Major: Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication (ALEC)
Cohort: 2022-2023
What motivated you to apply to the FOCUS program?
"I was motivated to join the FOCUS program for several reasons heading into my sophomore year. At the beginning of the semester, I felt as if I lacked the necessary experience and exposure to the professional environment and skills that would most likely be sought after by future employers. The FOCUS program seemed like something that would give me the edge in competing in the job markets of today and that proved to be more than true."
How would you describe your overall experience as a FOCUS scholar?
"The FOCUS program was the ultimate "Ice Breaker" for me in terms of professional networking experience. Personally, this was the first time that I had been given the opportunity to build, interact closely with future employers, and begin to understand more of what would be expected of me within my professional career. This program helped me finally grasp an understanding of the ideal career outcome and setting for myself."
What was the most meaningful thing you learned or gained in the FOCUS program?
"The most meaningful thing that I gained from the FOCUS program was a dependable network of peers and mentors. Participating in what they have to offer has helped me understand how much easier things can be depending on who you know and what they have access to. My experiences here have truly shown me that it’s not WHAT you know, it’s WHO you know."
Shaniyah Jackson
Cohort: 2022-2023
What motivated you to apply to the FOCUS program?
I was motivated to apply to the FOCUS program because I wasn’t sure of what I wanted to do after I graduated. I didn’t have a focused career path.
How would you describe your overall experience as a FOCUS scholar?
For me, FOCUS was a great experience. The program helped me figure out what type of work I was most passionate about and it also helped me become confident in the skills I have to offer to many employers.
What was the most meaningful thing you learned or gained in the FOCUS program?
The most meaningful thing I learned was where I began in my career field will likely not be where I end up retiring. There are going to be many different opportunities and paths I can take to help me settle in my dream career.
Deja Spraggins
Major: Kinesiology (RST and Communication Minor)
Cohort: 2022-2023
What motivated you to apply to the FOCUS program?
For me it was more so the “Who” that motivated me to join FOCUS. My OMSA advisor Shawn Hampton is the one who told me about the FOCUS program. After reading into the organization and seeing just a little bit of what the goal was, I knew I had to be a part of the program. I think what mostly motivated me to apply was that the program was a new beginning for students like myself to be more than a statistic and reach our maximum potential. Being a part of a new beginning is something so special and important to me. Not many people can say they were the first FOCUS Scholars at UIUC and I think that makes it all the better. With the program standing for perseverance of minority, first generation students how could I not want to be a part of this historical journey of excellence.
How would you describe your overall experience as a FOCUS scholar?
My overall experience as a FOCUS Scholar could be described as life changing. While we only met once a week our meetings were both interesting and informative. Not one meeting did I not learn something new that could make a tremendous impact in my everyday life. Our meetings were always helpful and positive. Being a FOCUS Scholar is so much more than a title, it’s an opportunity to escape all the negativity around you and focus on what’s ahead. It’s all in the name itself. Once you truly learn to focus the road to success is straight ahead and all we have to do is keep moving towards what’s right in front of us.
What was the most meaningful thing you learned or gained in the FOCUS program?
To be surrounded by people like myself who beat the odds stacked against them was the most meaningful thing I gained from the FOCUS program. All my life I feared being like everyone else around me. Often time minority families don’t have faith, hopes and dreams to be somebody big. They often stick to what they know but being around people who don’t want to stick to what they know is life changing for me. I’ve always wanted more for myself, and it’s very common that many people don’t understand why u want to be so different and leave home, but FOCUS placed me around people who not only understood me but we’re just like me in similar circumstances. The program was one step towards success in my opinion. At a school like UIUC being in an environment that feels safe and offers you as much help as possible is a dream beyond compare. Sometimes as a minority at a large university you may feel overlooked, but FOCUS was one of the programs that made me feel not only seen but heard as well.
