Episode 49: Quanisha Kumi-Darfour
Unknown Speaker 0:00
Music.
Rachel Kobus 0:09
Welcome to Redbird buzz. I'm Rachel Kobus from alumni engagement. the fall semester is ending soon, with a new class of Redbirds heading off on their next journey, and we thought this would be the perfect time to sit down with the new Director of Career Services and Illinois State alum Quanisha Kumi Darfour to talk about the career services that not only students have, but alumni too, and to get to know our 2006 chemistry graduate herself. Quanisha holds a Master's in higher education from Purdue University Global, and is set to complete her doctorate at Illinois State this academic year in educational administration and foundation. she served in several roles within Illinois State's University housing services, such as a residence hall coordinator and also a Cardinal Court complex coordinator, and was the coordinator of case management for the dean of students office. Before becoming director, she had four years as the Career Services Associate Director of Student Relations. Her work to help develop and mentor students, to bring them the best quality of life at Illinois State makes her a Redbird we are so very proud of too.
So with that, what's the word Redbird? Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Quanisha Kumi Darfour 1:21
Hi Rachel. Thank you so much for the opportunity to be here. I'm so excited. I'm excited too. Well, first and foremost, coming to Illinois State was a really, really big decision. I'm from Chicago, Illinois originally, and so it kept me close enough to my family where I can travel back and forth. Shout out to Peoria Charter and Amtrak, they absolutely saved my life for a nominal cost all the time. And so my journey in higher education, it actually started in 2011 but before I hop into that. I will share that as a chemistry major, my plan was to go into forensic science, and so I guess Fun fact, I was one of the first people to complete the criminal justice sequence. Pardon me for not really knowing that, but Susan Woollen played a really big part in helping to support me through that. And so forensic science was the first path. Changed that up, and then I decided I wanted to go into pharmacy. I worked at Walgreens as a pharmacy technician for five years. Became a senior technician. I was training people in our district, but then that PCAT exam took me down. And so what I was really working on at that time was trying to figure out, what could I do that really aligns with my passion and what I enjoy the most. And so I just so happened to be the advisor for my sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated for the Theta Delta chapter, and so I was trying to figure out, how can I be more in alignment with students in that way. And so that is what brought me to the master's program at Purdue University Global. Okay, so I completed that while working full time at Walgreens and so, and I had a little baby at the time little Jada. And so I finished that program in about a year and a half, and to be quite honest, that had it really paved the way for me and where I am today. And so I was a practicum student. Thanks to the folks in University Housing Services, I got to work with students who were housed in the lounges at that time, helping them to still feel home in their home, away from home. Yeah, and so I guess then the rest is essentially history.
Rachel Kobus 3:52
Yes. And so I've known Quanisha for a few years, and she is truly amazing, and you'll see throughout her story how you do help students, and that's why I feel like you're in the role you are today as Director of Career Services, making sure students feel that passion for Illinois State, but also that drive to keep moving forward with their professional career. And so with that passion, if you can talk a little bit more and you did a little bit, but why that passion for higher education, but more specifically, finding your role and your growth in student affairs for sure.
Quanisha Kumi Darfour 4:24
So I would say, before starting my undergraduate, excuse me, my master's program, I made really solid connections as a student here. There were so many people who were instrumental in my growth, some who are still working here at Illinois State, some who have moved on to do other things, but I will say that the chemistry department was pivotal in my growth. As a first year student, I had Dr Lisa Szczepura Who tapped me literally to say, Hey, do you want to do work in my lab. And so through her mentorship, just really taking time to get to know me, to get to know what I need, you know that really helped me to, I believe, persist as a student here at Illinois State. And so making connections like that was pivotal to my growth and development. In addition, I was involved in different registered student organizations. So I was a member of the NAACP, Delta Sigma Theta. Of course, I was also a member or founding member of Profound Pioneers Entertainment Group. So but in all these different capacities, there were mentors and people really at the ready, helping me to be the best that I can be in anything that I undertook. Yeah,
Rachel Kobus 5:47
I love it. So with that, though, how did you go from chemistry to Student Affairs? What was that like? The--I know mentorship. But how did your career, you know, you talked a little bit about where it came. But finding that growth to say, Student Affairs, helping students, this is, this is where I want to be, and-I assume-be for a long time, then for sure,
Quanisha Kumi Darfour 6:09
yes, I am a lifer. Absolutely. Will be retired.
Rachel Kobus 6:13
Is a different you know, we talk about different areas of a institution. And I think people forget Student Affairs, all these student services. People think the academics, which are obviously very important, but Student Affairs is equally as important, too
Quanisha Kumi Darfour 6:25
it is, and I would like to say, I guess, in a biased way, that we are the lifeline. I think in higher education, that what we do, from a holistic standpoint in student affairs is absolutely just as important as the academic programs that our students go through, but chemistry to now. So I guess putting on my career services hat, I always see the connection there as wanting to be a problem solver or knowing that this is something that I have innately had, literally since birth. Yeah. And so with that, the transition from chemistry, working through problems, understanding how different reactions were, you know, all these different things, to what I do now in student affairs, it still gives me an opportunity to think critically, to work through different problems, to understand how we can better serve students, how we might be able to better connect to our alums. And then, of course, within Career Services, how we can also make sure that our students and alums have really strong connections to employers.
Rachel Kobus 7:37
Yeah, I love it. And so you led me into my next question, then too, we mentioned you are the new Director of Career Services, and a hot five months into it at this point, and it's exciting. And ISU, like I've said, is so lucky to have you. So what made you interested in the role of Director of Career Services, specifically?
Quanisha Kumi Darfour 7:57
Okay, yes. So as you mentioned earlier, I've been in the department for a little over four years, but in this role, specifically for five months, and it has been absolutely wonderful. I love the team that is there. I mean, we have 17 full time, 22 career ambassadors, eight graduate assistants, [okay] And then we also have four student receptionists and so within all of the folks, not to mention our student interns with marketing and communications. Okay, so got all the gang. But I mean, they are absolutely amazing. Everybody is really dedicated to our mission, our vision, our values. We all come together to make sure that what we are doing day to day is really for the students, you know, and just helping them to know that, you know, this is a place for them, and that we encourage them to get connected to us when they first step foot on campus, and then also, of course, through all of their learning and development as they matriculate through college, but I was drawn to this position because I've always had a passion for helping people to really realize their full potential. [yes you have] Thank you so much. I have always enjoyed encouraging people and inspiring them to be bigger and better than what they have been, or what they may even imagine for themselves. And so to be quite honest, a lot of the conversations that I have with either my direct reports, my supervisors, and even those that I might mentor, and even people who have mentored me, a lot of things have been really connected to what brings you joy. You know, what is it in your life that will allow you to wake up day to day and just literally get up and go and doing the work? And so higher ed and Student Affairs is really what that has been for me, but really helping people to understand, you know, the importance of self reflection, knowing who they are, and then really using that to find things that they really can connect with and find the most joy in doing. Yeah, and
Rachel Kobus 10:08
so, you know, talking about that joy and making sure they figure out what's their right path, what they want to do. Can you just give us a little reminder, especially--you know, we have a mix of students, faculty, staff, alums, that listen to the podcast--what the true mission of Career Services is, and then all that is offered through your staff, through your programs and whatnot.
Quanisha Kumi Darfour 10:28
so our mission in career services is to empower and support Redbirds to achieve their professional goals by providing resources, experiences and industry connections. We very intentionally use Redbirds because this encompasses so many people, so many connections, students, employers, folks who have worked at the University, who have moved on, I mean, and so it's just really important that we were intentional in the language that we were using to make sure that people know that you always have a place here at Illinois State, and put this specifically in career services. And so in terms of what we provide, of course, assistance with exploring different careers, understanding not only what career you can operate within, but also where might you do this. So helping folks to know the resources that are out there so they can kind of get an idea of what it may be like to live in California. You know, what is the cost of living there for the particular profession that you might want to be in? We also reiterate the importance of having internships or experiences that will help them to get hands on experiences that can really lean, excuse me, help them lean into whether or not they may want to take a particular career path. I would also share that, of course, we do your typical resume and cover letter review, but we offer a host of programs and career fairs that all Redbirds are invited to attend. So whether it is for education majors or more general in scope, where maybe you're just looking at a little bit everything because you have your degree and you can fit in any particular industry or discipline, it's just really important that we are upfront as much as possible, and then we make sure that you all understand that you know, the services that are the service that we offer are here for alums and also for current students. And you can usually make that connection really easily by going to our Career Services website and logging into our Hire a Redbird platform.
Rachel Kobus 12:40
yeah, and so you mentioned alums, and just, you know, all the services we have for students, several those move on to alums. But alums can also get involved with career services, either with the help that they provide, or with helping current students as well too. So, you know, I think this is a great time. That's why we were excited to have you on the show right now, because we have a new class coming out, or graduating this December and adding to our class of 2024 so just a reminder, then to you, what are those benefits you covered? Can alums take advantage of and how can they also get involved in career services to help current students?
Quanisha Kumi Darfour 13:16
Yes, so the alums can really get involved in many different ways. So if they are seeking new job opportunities, they are more than welcome to attend any of the career fairs that we may have if they are just exploring different options, because perhaps they've had a complete change of heart and they want to do something totally different, we can assist with the Career Exploration aspect, editing their resume, preparing for interviews. I mean, there are a number of different things that we can absolutely assist with, but on the flip side, in ways that alums can give back or become more involved with career services, they can join the alumni mentor network, which is an opportunity for them to correct excuse me, connect with current Redbirds who may be in similar fields or aspiring to be in the careers that the Redbird alum may have also they can be panelists on different programs that we have. Yeah, so we always invite our alum back to talk about things such as success looks like me, right? And so helping our students to understand where they started and where they ended up, you know what that journey was like in between? And then a really cool aspect of connecting with alums comes through the career fairs, because some of our alums are also employers, and so we do have a little special Redbird alum button that we encourage our alums to take and wear when they do come to the career fairs. But there are many different ways that our alum can get connected and stay connected in ways that really help to further develop and propel this new these new generations of Redbirds forward.
Rachel Kobus 15:03
it. And then remind me too, are all the services provided by career services free for students and alums. For just students. How does that work? Then, yes.
Quanisha Kumi Darfour 15:11
So there is no charge for alums or students to use the services and career services. So please make the most of your tuition dollars, Yeah, no kidding, and make sure that you are getting connected to career services very early and staying connected throughout your time and beyond your time on campus. Yeah. And
Rachel Kobus 15:32
so I just think it's so beneficial. And a lot of people do forget they think once they step off campus, I don't have as many resources. But, you know, we offer several resources to alums. And this one is a huge benefit, to be able to have our professionals and experts in this. And like you said, people make career changes all the time. That's you know, and more and more often, I think we see that too, of let's try a different job, let's go into a different industry. And so what better way to have that, that backing and support and feel a little more confident when you can go to an office and a department like this and get that support too. So sure, I love it. So you know, my last question for you is, you know, we talked about the services that Career Services offers, how our alums can get involved and use those, but you as director again five months in, maybe by the time this comes out, maybe five and a half months in. So what are you seeing as director looking ahead the opportunities and challenges of career services and intertwining and student affairs in Illinois State?
Quanisha Kumi Darfour 16:30
for sure. So I do think Career Services is one of the most important offices on our campus at Illinois State. And I think, you know, with the current climate of higher education that is really, really important for us to be able to articulate where our Redbirds go. And so with that, you know, we are working to provide data that helps us to understand, you know, what programs were our Redbirds in, who made a really huge impact on, you know, their Redbird experience. And then, you know, finally, where did they go after they graduated? You know, what does that first year after graduation look like, whether they have moved on to pursue higher education, they are in an industry where they absolutely want to be or perhaps they've taken a job and it's a means to an end, you know? So whatever that is, we really want to know that information, because we do think that it'll be really important for us to be able to share that with our Redbird community and to help tell a better story about what we're doing here at Illinois State and how meaningful the degrees are. Yeah,
Rachel Kobus 17:33
well, Quanisha, thank you so much for joining us and giving us that insight for you as a new director, but also reminding us that Career Services is a very valuable experience for our current students, but also a valuable department for alums that can come back as well too. So I thank you for your time here.
Quanisha Kumi Darfour 17:50
Thank you so much for having me. It's been a complete pleasure.
Rachel Kobus 17:53
And before I let you go, can you remind us of the website for Career Services? Yes,
Quanisha Kumi Darfour 17:57
Career Services is careerservices.illinoisstate.edu. Thank you.
Rachel Kobus 18:08
That was 2006 alum and Director of Career Services, Quanisha Kumi Darfour, thanks for listening to Redbird Buzz and tune in next time for more stories from beyond the quad.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai