Event hosted by OSID and Career Development
By Silvana Leguizamo
“I thought it was a really creative idea to collaborate with the non-profit Dress for Success Quad Cities, and the speaker we had left the biggest impact on me. It was a talk I truly needed, especially as a senior juggling multiple projects and life in general. Many of the girls that were there, were ones that I already knew, whether from my sorority (COG), executive board positions, or from clubs on campus, which made the experience way more fun. Loredana, was the speaker’s name and shared her journey in the business and marketing world, describing the obstacles she had to overcome as a woman, including machismo, language barriers, lack of support, and financial struggles with education. Loredana’s words served as a wake-up call for me. Her speech was exactly the motivation I needed at this point in my life. She emphasized the importance of focusing on ourselves as women, forgetting that boys even exist in this world and that as women we should be striving to achieve our goals because we have the possibility to achieve anything we put our minds to. I realized that if I truly want to accomplish something, I must be willing to put in the effort. If I don’t, then I wasn’t ever truly committed to that goal in the first place. This experience reinforced the importance of being confident in the career skills I possess and continuing to improve them through internships and projects. It also reminded me that there will always be people, at work or school who may try to undermine my qualifications or experience. As long as I know my worth, value, and capabilities, their opinions don’t matter. There will always be employers who recognize my potential and may even see me as an overqualified candidate.
Looking back on my four years at Augustana, I can admit that the only times I’ve scheduled appointments with CORE were for requirements, such as getting final approval for my internship. It’s not that I never wanted to seek help, but as a first-generation college student from a Mexican household, I was raised with the idea that asking for help meant I didn’t know what I was doing, even though I was expected to figure things out on my own. That mindset made me hesitant to reach out to CORE, especially since I had managed to find an internship on my own. Even though I knew the staff was there to help students, I subconsciously held onto the mindset I was raised with. I kept holding back on scheduling appointments with them because I felt like I needed to come in already knowing at least something—where I wanted to work, why I wanted to work in a specific field or company—rather than just showing up and admitting, “I actually don’t know where to start.” I now realize that just because I was “getting by” without their help doesn’t mean I shouldn’t have used their resources. Their job is to help students explore career paths, find internships, attend job fairs, and prepare for interviews, things that could have benefited me even more. This event made me recognize the value of utilizing these services, not just when required, but as an active step in my personal and professional growth. I do really wish students like me, who are first generation college students, aren’t hesitant to make that first step in reaching out for career help and scheduling appointments with them. It really helps to know people who have utilized their services and who can advise you on who they have good experiences with, so your experience is also good and leave feeling proactive and motivated.”
Confidence & Style Reflecting Dress for Success
By Diya Adhikari
The Dress for Success event was such an empowering experience. It reminded me how important it is to take up space, own my confidence, and step into my power without hesitation. One of the most memorable moments was hearing from a speaker who shared her journey as an immigrant—her struggles,
her victories, and everything in between. Her story really stuck with me because it showed just how much strength and resilience it takes to keep pushing forward. On top of that, we got to shop for professional clothes, and I found some amazing pieces that will have me looking and feeling my best for my
internship. But more than just the clothes, this event gave me a renewed sense of confidence and reminded me that I am more than capable of walking into any room like I belong there—because I do.
This event was made even more special because it was a collaboration with the Office of Student
Inclusion and Diversity (OSID) and CORE. OSID is always creating spaces where people of color can feel empowered, supported, and truly at home on campus. They put in so much effort to make sure we have opportunities like this, and I really encourage everyone to check them out and see the amazing resources they offer.
Similarly, CORE is another incredible resource that I honestly hadn’t taken full advantage of until now. They do so much more than just help with professional development—they really prepare us for the future in ways I didn’t even realize. Whether it’s career guidance, networking opportunities, or just helping you feel more confident in your next steps, they’re there for us. So if you haven’t already, don’t hesitate to stop by CORE and see how they can support you—you won’t regret it!
