Gaining Connections and Opportunities in Hometown Chicago

For Rita Sanabria (Business and Information Technology 4th Year), choosing Illinois Tech came with some obvious positives due to its location.

“I was born and raised in Chicago, so attending college here allows me to see my family and embrace the city that I love,” she says. “Additionally, Chicago is home to a lot of internship opportunities and the kinds of large tech companies that I eventually want to work for.”

Along with access to the resources of a global city, Rita values Illinois Tech’s size and relaxed, supportive atmosphere. “A smaller university comes with closer connections and smaller class sizes,” she says. “This is important as you get more one-to-one time with faculty and the campus becomes a less overwhelming space.”

“The Illinois Tech community is inclusive and helps me feel like I belong,” she adds. “Students here are friendly. You begin to recognize faces because you see everyone so often, so it’s easier to network and form new friendships.”

Rita started out as a computer science major, but switched to the Bachelor of Science in Business and Information Technology program, one of Illinois Tech’s distinctive new cross-disciplinary undergraduate majors. “It has been a better fit for me by bringing my business and tech interests together,” she says. “I can take classes in both areas and have a newfound passion for my education.”

“The quality of education here is unmatched,” says Rita. “Illinois Tech provides multiple tools to help you succeed, both during school and in your career. The Academic Resource Center offers walk-in tutoring, and the Career Services Center allows you to connect with alumni and assists you in securing internships and jobs. I am constantly meeting new people and gaining connections that will help me once I graduate.”

• Learn more about the B.S. in Business and Information Technology program.