For many students, studying business means preparing for a traditional career path. But for Juliana Cordova Yasbeck, it represents the opportunity to turn a passion into a business.
Juliana Cordova Yasbeck did not arrive at Computer Systems Institute (CSI) in the way that other students do. Originally from Brazil, she has been living in the United States for almost four years. She studied pedagogy in her home country and worked as a teacher, building a career in education before deciding to pursue new experiences.
What started as a temporary experience eventually opened the door to a new chapter, “I moved to the United States as an au pair to improve my English and experience a cultural exchange,” Juliana explains.
A New Career Path for an International Student
During her time as an au pair, she began thinking more seriously about her long-term professional goals. While teaching had been a meaningful part of her life, Juliana was interested in entrepreneurship and small business.That curiosity led her to enroll at CSI, where she is currently studying Business Fundamentals.
Juliana is taking classes through the hybrid program. Her schedule allows both online and in-person learning for students on an F-1 visa. On Mondays, she attends classes via Zoom. Then on Wednesday, she participates in face-to-face classes at the Skokie, Illinois campus. The hybrid format gives her the flexibility to focus on her studies while maintaining balance in her life.
For someone who previously studied education, entering the world of business has been both exciting and challenging, “Since I previously worked as a teacher, studying business feels like entering a completely new world,” says Juliana. “Everything I’m learning is new to me.”
Even though it’s challenging, that sense of discovery has become one of the most rewarding parts of her experience as a student, “The best part is being able to dream about something I want to build in the future while gaining the skills that will help me get there,” she says.
Making a Hobby into a Career
The dream Juliana is referring to is one that grew naturally out of her personal interests. Outside of school, she enjoys thrifting, searching for unique secondhand clothing and items in local shops. What started as a hobby has evolved into something more inspiring. Juliana began imagining the possibility of building her own small business centered around that passion, “I can say that thrifting has been a passion of mine since I was a little girl. One of my favorite things to do was visit charity bazaars, vintage and secondhand stores, and kids’ thrift shops.I remember one shop in particular and I would get so excited every time we went there.”
Her long-term goal is to open an online thrift shop. Juliana has actually done this before on a smaller scale when she was in Brazil, “I created a page on social media where I started selling my own clothes,” she explains. Her little business took things a step further, “With the money I made, I bought food and hygiene products for families in need.
“The project grew so much that people began reaching out to donate their clothes so I could sell them and continue buying supplies for those families. It turned into a beautiful project that lasted for almost two years, until I decided to move to the US.”
Along with thrifting, Juliana also enjoys photography, another skill that could play an important role in her future business. Photographing products and presenting them creatively online is a key part of running a successful online shop.
Hobbies are one thing but to make them into a solid career, Juliana needs a strong foundation. At CSI, Juliana is learning things that will help turn that vision into a reality. Courses in customer service, finance, and management are giving her the knowledge she needs to understand how businesses operate.
One of the biggest hurdles has been learning new technology, particularly Microsoft Word and Excel. Because Juliana had not worked much with these programs before, she has had to spend extra time practicing and learning how to use them. “Sometimes I go to the school to use the computers there, since I don’t have those programs at home,” she says.
Support from family has also played an important role in helping Juliana pursue her goals. In the U.S., she lives with her husband, who has been a strong source of encouragement throughout her studies and her plans for the future. “My husband is very supportive, not only of my studies but also of my plans to start my own thrift shop business,” she says.
Looking Forward to the Future
Juliana remains focused on learning as much as possible and preparing for the next steps in her journey. She has advice for others who are considering exploring something new, “Choosing a course in a field you’ve never studied before can be challenging,” she says. “But it can also be very rewarding.”
Looking ahead, Juliana plans to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), which will allow her to gain professional experience in the US after completing her studies. While she is still exploring where she might want to work, she believes that learning from a small business environment could be especially valuable.
Working for a small business as part of her OPT will get her one step closer to her goal of opening a thrift shop, “The idea truly started to feel like a real business when I began studying business at CSI. In many of my classes we talk about small businesses, how to start them, how to make them real, and how to make them work,” she says.
CSI has inspired her in new ways, “That’s when this idea, this dream that had once been real in my life, started coming back to my mind again,” Juliana explains. And she wants her online shop to benefit others, “I hope that one day it will grow big enough so that part of it can always be dedicated to helping families and people who are in need.”
If you’ve ever thought about turning a passion into a career, CSI can help give you the foundation to make your dream a reality. Our staff can help you find the right path. Contact us today to learn more!