As they prepare for the next stages of their lives, members of the Brooklyn College Class of 2017 share some details of their journeys from students to graduates. Find more student commencement profiles and videos on our Facebook and Twitter pages. Use the #BCGrad2017 hashtag to join the conversation!

Ervin Seytgazi

B.S. in accounting

My academic journey has been one of the best experiences I will probably encounter in my life.

I first attended Kingsborough Community College and was a part of their honors program. I was challenged academically and culturally since I had arrived to the United States from Simferopol, Crimea in the Ukrainian region. I came to the U.S. only two years prior to my admission into the higher education system. I was able to meet wonderful people and explore the country. I’ve traveled twice to California, Tennessee, and upstate New York and met with Billie Jean King through the Phi Theta Kappa organization I was a part of.

I enjoyed student life at Brooklyn College the moment I stepped onto its beautiful campus. Watching people relax or play guitars on the quad was a cherry on top of the academic cake.

Brooklyn College is responsible for my career growth. With the help of faculty, and the staff at the Magner Career Center, I was able to land an internship that led to a full-time offer at one of the largest accounting firms in the country, KPMG. During my time at the college, I learned a lot about myself, particularly how to perceive and respect my fellow classmates and myself. That was one of the most important aspects, because it helped me to build strong relationships with other students.

“People skills” was one of the main things I was able to gain attending Brooklyn College. It is crucial to be able to communicate, whether in a class setting, speaking to professor, potential employer, or a loved one. I am very proud to be a part of the Toastmasters Club on campus, where public speaking skills are honed and improved through various extra-curricular workshops.

Looking back to when I first entered the gates of Brooklyn College, I can say for sure that I am now more confident in my abilities and feel exceptionally prepared for the career I am embarking on. Equally important, I made friends on whom I can count in any situation—connections that will last a lifetime.