Issue 6: Alumni Spotlight - Julian Tanushi

Pictured: Julian Tanushi's portrait taken on-campus at VIU.

Julian Tanushi is a graduate of Virginia International University.  During his time at our school, he studied for this Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.  He was the Class of 2010 Valedictorian. See what he has to say about his experience at VIU and his advice to soon-to-be graduates. 

By Julian Tanushi 

For those who are graduating in May, I would say there are two important things to consider.  First, it’s really important to get involved in any capacity.  By getting involved, you meet a lot of people from different backgrounds and walks of life.  Involvement in any field, whether it is in academics, campus employment, or volunteering in the community, enables you to create a name for yourself.  It will be an experience that shapes you, and build your character for the next endeavor you plan to take.  You never know where are you are going to end up, so it’s better to have first-hand experience.  It will never hurt you.

Secondly, as a newly “Americanized” individual, you never have to resist the need for change.  Change is something that could happen to you on any level.  You can get a job, you can lose your job, you can fail a course (although I hope you don’t), or you can have a tough time making ends meet.  None of these things should define you or keep you back.  You should be able to adapt to change in any form it comes at any time – it is the only way to make progress.

After graduating, it’s important to stay in touch with the classmates you made friends with.  Social media is a big help when keeping in touch, but we don’t hesitate to get together for someone’s birthday or to watch a soccer game.

As for where I am, I am currently a Senior Business Intelligence Consultant for ICF International.  We write software for many electric utilities in the energy sector.  It’s been quite a rewarding journey so far and a good deal of experience.

Although the working life is rewarding in many ways, it is really difficult to enjoy things that once as a student were taken for granted.  I miss the interactions that I had with my classmates, the discussions with my professors about the economy and technology, and most of all, the celebrations with friends of so many cultures and traditions.  These people and celebrations made a really big impact on my life.