Student Success: Brittany Collier

Student Success: Brittany Collier Landing my dream career before graduation is something I never thought possible. It’s something I couldn’t have done without the help of Education at Work. A strong belief of mine has always been that students deserve to have opportunities to gain real-world experiences while they attend college. Education at Work’s mission completely incapsulates this idea, and it’s what intrigued me about the company from the very beginning. After spending a few years as a student recruiter for the company, I was promoted to marketing assistant at the start of 2020. The role expanded my knowledge in marketing and social media, equipping me with the skills I needed to land my dream career. I have always been an avid user of TikTok, the social media platform where users can record video content up to 60 seconds about any topic which interests them. During quarantine, I used the platform to make comedic clips in the hopes of going viral. But in November, I endured a new and troubling life circumstance which left me in a state of depression and anxiety — I needed an outlet to talk to my friends virtually as the pandemic ensued, and that’s where my favorite app came in to help me just when I needed it. Cappuccino is an audio recording app which allows users to make short podcasts with friends — the perfect way to stay connected when people are so distanced. I used it to stay connected with my friends, get their advice and hear the crazy stories they had to tell. I wanted to share this app with the world, considering everyone had been going through times of loneliness and isolation. I decided to make a TikTok about the app. The skills I’ve gained through Education at Work are what ultimately led me to make the perfect viral video. With the communication skills I’ve gained, I was able to talk about the app in a way which was intriguing and relatable. I started my video off with a clean hook, something which would relate to people my age. I went into detail about the app and how it works, so people understood what it was all about. My communication skills helped me express something to the masses in a way which resonates with them. The video began to climb in views, and the moment I knew it was beginning to go viral, I took the personal confidence and motivation I gained from my experience with Education at Work to reach out to the founder of the app via Instagram. I knew I had created something outstanding. The founder was shocked, immediately seeing the value in a potential partnership. After learning about my professional experience in social media and the soft skills I’ve already gained, he offered me a job as a full-time social media contractor. The TikTok video now stands at almost four million views, and soon after getting hired, I was able to create another video which hit six million. I’ve officially been on the Cappuccino team for eight weeks and I am immensely lucky to have a full-time job even before graduation. My skills from Education at Work have now transferred into my dream career. Now, I experience the value of teamwork as I work in partnership with our engineers in France, our designer in New York and our head of communication in California. I fulfill my duties as a leader, coordinating all content for social media. I’ve transferred my organizational skills to this career by using a planner, creating a calendar and meeting deadlines. I execute my time management skills by completing work with the motivation to get content out on time. Lastly, I contribute to the overall success of the company by believing in myself and in my abilities. I still feel as though I haven’t grasped how crazy it all is. Never in my life would I think making a TikTok could lead to the job opportunity of a lifetime. It’s crazy to say I am now a social media contractor for my favorite app. I am extremely grateful for Education at Work and their passion for students gaining real-world experiences before graduation. Because of them, I am completely prepared for the opportunity of a lifetime.

Student Success: Stevan Rademann

Student Success: Stevan Rademann A recent Information Systems graduate from the University of Cincinnati has found his way to his dream career through Education at Work. Stevan Rademann started with Education at Work in 2018, working for our Global Financial Services partner. He was contacted by Education at Work through the hiring platform, Handshake, and knew he wanted to apply for the position. During his time at Education at Work, Stevan earned over $6,000 in tuition assistance and gained a handful of skills along the way for his future career. “I learned how to use a new company software, understood how the company does things culturally, and I realized how to manage work on your own,” says Stevan. “Having a 39-hour work week taught me how to be in a real office for a whole work week. At first it was demanding but then you get in the groove.” Alongside his newfound understanding of company culture, Stevan says that he felt treated as an equal to his fellow associates. “They put a lot of trust in the team. We were able to do things on our own and that can help you grow as an employee and helps you strive to want to work full-time.” With a degree in Information Systems, Stevan was on the hunt for his dream career and found it with that same Financial Services company. At first, Stevan planned to join a lead program with the company, but as the pandemic started, that opportunity was closed down. With a new panic of what to do next, Stevan suddenly found himself accepting an offer to work-full time with the company as a software engineer, starting in January. “When I first started at EAW I didn’t think that first position would lead to my dream job. That’s what hard work with Education at Work can get you.” Education at Work is honored to guide students along their career journey, from the very beginning, until they flourish in their full-time careers. Congrats Stevan, we are happy to have had you!