Recent grad launches career with Handshake

Recent fall graduate Marvin Williams '17 spent his senior year pursuing the question of "life after college," but through the Career Center newly-launched program, Handshake, a specialized networking and job resource platform, Williams found employment before graduating in December.

Williams spoke highly of his faculty-student interactions as he prepared for a career after college, saying, "the professors in the political science department have become mentors to me and have pushed me to set the bar higher for myself."

Williams majored in political science and had three minors in legal studies, international studies and political communications. In spite of a heavy workload, Williams participated in BW's campus community as an Upward Bound tutor and mentor, a political science department student assistant, a participant in BW's Model African Union and Leiden Model United Nations team, and as a 2017 BW Ovation participant.

Motivated by Hometown Strife

In addition to the development and support he gained from BW, Williams recognized the personal impact from the violence he witnessed in his hometown. It fuels his drive.

From the south side of Chicago, Williams explained, "Growing up in Chicago... allowed me to mature a lot faster. I knew I wanted to be better than what Chicago had to offer and so I made that my goal."

Immediate employment and big dreams

At BW, Williams says, "When Career Services launched Handshake, I immediately got on it and began searching for opportunities. I got interviews almost every week. I eventually interviewed for Ohio Alcohol Monitoring Systems (Ohio AMS) and fell in love with the company! They offered me a part-time position while in school and guaranteed a full-time role once I graduated!"

BW recently implemented the Handshake program, which provides students with intensive access to targeted employment opportunities, career mentors and relevant resources based on career interests.

Williams continues to work full-time for Ohio AMS, but has big, ambitious plans for the future, which include attending law school and eventually running for President of the United States.