James Conner Jr. can’t say enough about how important it is to take advantage of all City Colleges has to offer. The 23 year old from Bronzeville graduated from Olive-Harvey College in 2016 with his Associate of Science Degree, and he’s not shy about talking about the valuable help he received. “I used career services, the Disability Access Center, tutoring and the transfer center,” said James. “Those resources were key to my success, and once I started using those supports regularly and focusing on time management, I was on my way.”
James, who was home schooled, is a fourth year mechanical engineering student at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT). He transferred to IIT from Olive-Harvey having been awarded the Transfer Scholarship, STEM Scholarship, and a scholarship for being a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society.
During the summer of 2018, James interned with Exelon Corporation’s engineering program, which is a perfect fit for someone who is a member of the National Society of Black Engineers, the Society of Automotive Engineers, and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. After he graduates from IIT in May of 2019, he plans to pursue his MBA.