“How Do I Move Forward Now?”

By Leah Aulisio-Sharpe ’22, February 26, 2021

Alumni of color connect with students about their post-grad experiences.

Ahmad Boyd, Tayna Hutchens, and Lia Muñoz

(From left) Ahmad Boyd ’16, Tanya Hutchins ’89, and Lia Muñoz ’16 shared words of wisdom with students.

On Feb. 17, IC’s Office of Career Services hosted an Intercultural Career Connections program, a virtual TED-talk style panel featuring alumni Lia Muñoz ’16, Ahmad Boyd ’16 and Tanya Hutchins ’89.

The program allows alumni of color to engage with students in focused dialogue about their post-graduate career experiences. This year’s topic, “How Do I Move Forward Now?” gave participants a chance to share the personal and career challenges they’ve faced due to the coronavirus pandemic. The event was sponsored by the Office of Career Services, Office of State Grants, and the Center for IDEAS.

Muñoz shared how the pandemic caused her to make a career change. This past January, she transitioned from her role as IC’s assistant director of new student and transition programs to a new position as a college counselor at Rochester Prep High School.

“If anything, this past year has taught us that we don’t need to make life any more difficult than it already is. It’s okay to change and to need different things as you grow as a person.”

Lia Muñoz ’16

She encouraged students to follow their internal compass and to make decisions that support their well-being.

“If anything, this past year has taught us that we don’t need to make life any more difficult than it already is,” said Muñoz. “It’s okay to change and to need different things as you grow as a person.

Advice from the Panelists

Lia Muñoz ’16, Ahmad Boyd ’16 and Tanya Hutchins ’89 had a plethora of advice for current students

Give yourself grace.
Everything you are feeling is okay.

Realign your purpose.
This break from normalcy has made it clear what's important to us.

Lean into discomfort.
Avoid letting your fears control your destiny

Accept that change is necessary for growth.

Listen to your needs.
Where do you need to live in order to thrive? Whom do you need to be around (or away from) to succeed? What resources do you need that your current location might not have?

Don't apologize for needing change, your team will understand and support you.

Research the job you want.
Including the title, description, responsibilities, hours and holidays.

Research the market/city/region you want to work and live in.
Including the cost of living, diversity, walkability and nearby services.

Work your network.
Utilize LinkedIn, text, email and phone.

Boyd serves as the assistant director of student services and academics for Chicago State University Athletics. He spoke to students about embracing adaptability, even during these challenging times.

“Be comfortable being uncomfortable,” he said. “Do not let your fears control your destiny. Growth is only uncomfortable because we’ve never experienced what we are stepping into.”

“All of us in the Ithaca College Alumni Association will be here for you. You have tens of thousands of alumni who are willing to help you now, and when you graduate and join us.”

Tanya Hutchins ’89

Hutchins, who works as a communications representative for a labor union out of Washington, D.C., emphasized the important role the Ithaca College community can play in helping students forge a career path.

“All of us in the Ithaca College Alumni Association will be here for you,” she said. “You have tens of thousands of alumni who are willing to help you now, and when you graduate and join us.”

Journalism major and MLK Scholar Alexis Davis ’21 said she appreciated the insight that was shared during the evening.

“I really enjoyed the breakout session,” she said. “Tanya Hutchins provided such amazing advice and resources to everyone who attended. It was great to hear from someone who has an extensive amount of knowledge in the field that I'm planning on going into.”

“It's powerful for students to hear stories from alumni about their own pivots and challenges; alumni often serve as powerful mentors and this event helps to facilitate those connections.”

Cheryl Rotyliano, interim director of Career Services

Josie Manucha ’21, who moderated the event, said she was grateful for the opportunity to engage with alumni who had been in her shoes before.

“The biggest lesson was not to be afraid of the future,” she said. “As someone who is incredibly stressed about graduating and trying to figure out an entire life plan, it was so reassuring to hear all these stories of success where the main factor was taking rest and not panicking.”

Cheryl Rotyliano, interim director of Career Services, believes that the central message of the event was driven home by the speakers.

“We focused on alumni stories with themes of resilience, pivoting, balance, and goal-setting,” she said. “It's powerful for students to hear stories from alumni about their own pivots and challenges; alumni often serve as powerful mentors and this event helps to facilitate those connections. This past year has been a hard year, but together, we can move forward.”