When Danesh Sarbufina arrived from Kazakhstan in fall 2023, everything was new — the country, the campus, the language of American professional life. She started in the Intensive English Program. Three years later, she’s a third-year architectural engineering student with three internships behind her, a virtual internship with an American company underway, a PR chair seat on a student e-board — and the distinction of being one of the very first students to complete Elevate. We sat down with Danesh to hear how she built her path.

Q. Tell the Illinois Tech community who you are.

“I’m a third-year in architectural engineering, from Kazakhstan. When I first came here I really didn’t know what I should do — it was a new country, everything was new. But through the years I understood that I want to be open to people and open to new opportunities. I’m exploring everything I can on campus — professors, projects, internships — so that by graduation I’ll know exactly who I want to be.”

Q. What did you work on this summer?

“I went back to a company in Kazakhstan that brought me back after my internship with them last year. I spent the summer learning Revit — 3D engineering software for building models. Unlike 2D drawings, you can actually build the project and see what it looks like in real life, which is faster, better for clients, and prevents problems before construction. It’s already on my resume, and my portfolio is in progress.”

Q. And you’re already interning again this fall?

“Yes — right now I’m doing a virtual internship with an American company called Cup Golf. It’s a company about golf, and I’ve never played golf — so I’m planning to go with friends who know how to play, and I’ve already watched a bunch of videos. I’m also serving as PR chair on the Ashray executive board.”

Q. How are you preparing for the career fair?

“It’s not my first career fair — after each one, I talk with my friends and learn the life hacks for next time. This time I’m correcting my resume, researching the companies that will be there, and applying to their internships before the fair. That way, when I talk to them, I can say: I already know your company, I already submitted my application. It makes the conversation much more interesting.”

Q. You were one of the first students to finish Elevate. What did your Success Coach meeting do for you?

“The success coaches are students like me, with a little more experience — we’re in the same boat. Mine helped me plan my whole semester, and showed me I’d already done some things on my checklist. I really like to plan, and it made me calmer and more confident about myself. When I finished the checklist, I could see how much work I’d actually done through the semester — the networking, the events, the new connections.”

Q. How do you get interview-ready?

“Before my interview, I did a mock interview with Career Services, and I had my resume reviewed three times. I talked with students who already had experience, and they taught me the STAR method for answering questions. I just went to Career Services and different departments and asked for advice.”

Q. What would you tell a new student who says they don’t have time for Elevate?

“Just try. You don’t need to spend hours and hours to participate, but it will be really useful for your future — and for your present. You’ll know more tips and more resources, and you’ll have somewhere to get help and suggestions, or just a little chat about your future. Just try it, and we’ll see if it’s for you.”

Interview conducted by Illinois Tech Career Services; answers edited and condensed for clarity.