A recent graduate of Bates College, Anthony has taken a job with Schuler Scholars* to work at his alma mater.
“We are thrilled to have Anthony joining our Cristo Rey St. Martin Schuler team. His perspective as an alumnus of both the school and Schuler will be a significant asset in the years ahead.”
Emalie Dalbke Schuler School Director
*The Schuler program works with our high-achieving students on campus – to help them gain access to highly selective colleges, and pursue their professional aspirations.
Since her graduation from CRSM in 2013, Czier-Anne earned two bachelor’s degrees – Physics from Loyola University and Chemical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame. She took time out to speak with me about her early struggles with the English language, her deep involvement with CRSM, her heroes, and the continuing use of her talent in the sciences.
Thanks so much for making time for me Czier-Anne. I just have to ask about your name; it is singular. Am I pronouncing it right? [laughing] No worries, most people ask! It’s pronounced: SHARE -Anne. My Mom wanted me to have a unique name, so she threw in a “z” and a hyphen…it’s turned out to be a really good conversation starter. In anatomy class, there were three of us sitting right next to each other; there was me, a Sharon and a Sheron, now that was confusing!
You’ve only been out of CRSM for eight years, you own two degrees and you’ve been with your company for three years. That seems…unlikely. Well, I was lucky enough to have been a part of a dual degree program. It allowed me to earn my Physics degree from Loyola University Chicago and go directly into Chemical Engineering at the University of Notre Dame. I was able to earn two degrees in five years.
You finished in 2018 and went to work at Sensient in the in the BioNutrients division.Yes, I started at Sensient Technologies Corporation in an intensive account manager training program. I spent the majority of my time in the R&D rotation learning ways to provide nutrients for human, animal, and plant health applications. I’m now an account manager working with customers to provide natural solutions to address microbial, animal, and plant needs.
I’m not clear on the connection with your degree in Physics and your work in bio-nutrients. I always liked Chemistry, and during Work Study at Abbott Laboratories I was leaning toward Pharmaceuticals. But Ms. Bonerjee [Physics instructor, Cristo Rey] inspired me at CRSM. So, I chose Physics as a major. It’s harder than Chemistry. I thought, if I can get through Physics, I can get through anything. Truth is, there’s a lot of Physics involved in Chemical Engineering.
I’d like to go back and talk about your time in Waukegan and your decision to choose CRSM? My family came to the United States from the Phillippines when I was four. We moved to Waukegan to be close to family. I needed to attend a primary school that offered an ESL program (English as a Second Language). And though I struggled with English, I was dreaming of attending a top 20 college. So, when a CRSM Ambassador came to our school and talked with me, that was it. I told my mom that CRSM was where I wanted to go.
Things went well for you at Cristo Rey? In every way. Cristo Rey inspired me to be better, language skills included. The Work Study Program taught me how important that is. Henry Broch Foods, American Hotel Register Company, Kraft Foods, Abbott Labs, all my work study experiences were important. CRSM is responsible for my winning the Cristo Rey Scholarship and the Gates Millenium Scholarship
Were you heavily involved in school activities? I wanted to participate in every activity that time would allow. Campus Ministry, PADS, No. IL Food Bank, Miserecordia, Volleyball, Soccer, the National Honors Society, The Eco Club, Prom & Homecoming Committees, Student Government, Yearbook Club, Matheletes, Multicultural Club.
I’m amazed that you had the time to study; you had a 4.0 grade point at CRSM. You mentioned your Physics teacher, were there any other influencers at school? Any Heroes? There were many at Cristo Rey. Mr. Horcher is why I enjoy Math so much. But I have to say the real hero in my life will always be my mother. She immigrated to the US, worked factory jobs, learned the language, studied to become a citizen, and went on to become a nurse. She is a workaholic! We didn’t have too much, but she persisted. Watching her succeed as I grew up set an example.
She sounds like a remarkable person. I had a dream that someday I would be able to buy her a home. This past September, I moved her into a house I purchased in Gurnee. Actually, she exemplifies the “Grit” that Dr. O always talks about. Funny story, in college I remember when I was not wanting to go to class, maybe tired or sick, needing more sleep, my alarm would go off and I would see Mr. O – talking about grit with his hand over his fist, [laughs] and I would get out of bed. I never missed a class while I was at Loyola University.
I know Mr. O is going to enjoy hearing that! Any advice for young aspiring Cristo Rey people? Yes, two things: Continue to practice grit; it really helped me through college and with my job. Be Grateful; eventually you will succeed, and when you do, being grateful will keep you humble despite your accomplishments
Josh graduated from CRSM in 2017. I spoke with him just after he received his degree in Theoretical Physics and Applied Mathematics from Loyola University. Josh is a study in humility and competence. His record of achievement is remarkable given his young age – and there is much more to come.
Thanks so much for making time for me, I hear you’re getting ready to travel. Getting some rest after graduation? Yes, I’m heading down to Florida for a short vacation. I have a little time before I start my new job.
Wow, a new job already. Where will you be working? Discover Financial has offered me a position. I’m very excited, I received an offer quickly after my interview. This would not have happened without Ms. Hocter ( Director, Alumni Career Support), she found the opportunity and supported me through the whole process. It’s two-year rotational program, Business & Finance and then Data Analytics. I’ve been learning new software programs like Tableau and a few others that I may need.
I know you did well at CRSM, a 3.9 GPA, and received a full scholarship to Loyola University. But you were in a new environment – in a challenging major. How was the transition to college? It was difficult. The academic workload was intense. I had to take Biology, Calculus and Physics in my first semester. The fact is, Loyola University is a predominantly white institution, and I wasn’t used to that. But a few things made my adjustment easier. The Corporate Work Study taught me how to change and adapt to new situations, to not feel intimidated, and to learn as you go. And spending time with the Cristo Rey Scholars community gave me an avenue to reach out and meet new people.
That’s a full schedule – new surroundings and a tough academic load. It turned out well? It did. I graduated Cum Laude with a 3.6 GPA.
That is impressive, keeping so many things going in the right direction. What’s your secret? [laughing] Well, I think my mother set an example of working hard for what you want. Her path to citizenship was long and difficult. She had to find a job, learn the language and raise kids as a single mom.
She had to come home late from work, so I took on a father role with my siblings. I had to make sure that dinner was on the table, and they had done their homework properly. I felt I had to set an example with good grades.
She sounds like an impressive woman. That’s only part of the story. Because she got so much help from the government when she was struggling, she wanted to give back. So, she began working with residents and immigrants, helping them with their language skills, navigating the pathway to citizenship and guiding them toward available resources. Eventually she worked with a company that became part of Catholic Charities.
You came to Cristo Rey St. Martin after public grammar school and had to jump into a work environment. I wanted to go to Waukegan High School with my friends, but my mother insisted on CRSM. She wasn’t wrong. [laughing] I really liked Work Study. I liked dressing like a professional.
Did working in a corporate environment come easy to you. Not really, not at first. I worked all four years at Takeda Pharmaceutical. We were the first group that worked there. I was really nervous, especially when I walked into that huge office building on my first day. But I learned a lot. I learned how to speak clearly and how to develop professional skills.
Work Study and Academics were strong for you. Were you involved in other activities?
I really liked volunteering with Campus Ministry. I volunteered quite a bit with Northern Illinois Food Bank and PADS. I was in Student Council, and I was a Student Ambassador. I was in EcoClub. I’ve always loved deriving answers in math, coming to the right answer by myself. I participated in the Ignatian Trips to Washington, DC with both CRSM and Loyola University. Those trips were really important.
Thanks for spending the time with me. Is there a lesson or strategy that has become important to you as you experience successes in your life? I would say that it’s good to be uncomfortable. Reach out and grow. Keep in touch with your faith and friends and families; but we live in a society where we can’t stay only with the friends or the positions that we currently have. Take advantage of opportunities as they present themselves, because if we don’t, we become sedentary.
I spoke with Antonio (CRSM ’18, Lawrence University ’22) about his experiences in the Cristo Rey Corporate Work Study Program, his course work at Lawrence University and his blending of Mathematics, Art and the Japanese language – just before his departure for Japan and a full year of study in Tokyo.
The following conversation has been edited and condensed.
Thanks for taking the time today, I know your busy getting ready for your trip. Tell me a little about your decision to attend Cristo Rey St. Martin.
Glad to be here. I have several relatives at CRSM, so I knew quite a bit about the school. Actually, I wasn’t that interested in attending – the work study concept didn’t appeal to me. My parents were very much in favor of it, they believed that CRSM represented the best chance for me to become the first in my family to attend college. They were right. Once I started at Cristo Rey, I understood the purpose of the work study program and grew to like it. And now, here I am…
So here you are, a CRSM graduate, attending Lawrence University, let’s talk about CRSM’s impact on you and the choices you’ve made.
My strongest subjects have always been mathematics and science. In middle school I struggled a bit because my writing and English skills weren’t where they needed to be. I knew this could hold me back. CRSM was always there, helping me with the work I needed to do to improve those skills. In my junior year I was lucky enough to be accepted into the CBO Scholar program. Mr. Weinberg (now Director of the CWSP) was my CBO mentor. He was instrumental in my development.
Also, it’s hard to understate what Ms. Chavez (Director of Alumni Support/College Completion) and Ms. Kainic (College Counseling) did for me during my search for a college and scholarships.
And your Work Study experiences?
Extremely important. I was at Advanced Clinical for all four years at Cristo Rey. I worked in almost every department there, including Finance and Quality. I also worked with procedures for clinical trials. As an upperclassman, the company began assigning me to different departments as the need arose. Advanced also helped me with my finances for college.
Getting back to school for a moment, you mentioned that you have an interest in the Arts as well as Math and Science. Are you pursuing that as well?
Yes. Elementary school didn’t offer much in the way of exposure to art, but in middle school I was involved with the art club and took the art classes that were offered. Ever since then I have been experimenting with different techniques. At CRSM I became interested in Japanese calligraphy and printmaking – I kept hearing about how beautiful their country is, so I decided to learn the language.
You’ve been learning the Japanese language on your own? Tell me about your choice of Lawrence University and your curriculum.
Yes, I started working on basic reading and writing in Hiragana and Katakana while I was at CRSM. I applied to a number of engineering programs. I knew I wanted a small school and Lawrence fit all of my preferences. However, when I met with my advisor about the engineering program, I found it to be too confining for someone who was interested in the arts. So I decided on a double major; Mathematics and Fine Arts, with a minor in Japanese. In Japan, I’ll be taking courses in Japanese History & Language, Discrete Mathematics, Logic, Set Theory, Art & Photography and maybe an animation course.
That’s an aggressive course load, especially at a university out of country. Before I let you go, I always ask CRSM grads for some advice for current Cristo Rey students.
Sure. When I’ve had the chance to speak to freshmen, I’ve tried to make it clear that school, and their corporate work study job, will sometimes seem repetitive or unimportant. However, it will prove to be one of the most important contributors to their success. I would not be where I am without CRSM.
I visited with Brisel (CRSM ’15, UIC ’19) during one of her visits to Cristo Rey St. Martin as a new full-time hire at Advanced Group, a staffing company operating across the US and Europe. She shared her experiences at Cristo Rey, University of Illinois at Chicago, and her work with the Corporate Work Study Program in Chicago and San Francisco. The following conversation has been edited and condensed.
Luckily for me, we met at a business partner appreciation event – I didn’t know about your involvement with Cristo Rey work study. And congrats on your graduation from UIC!
Thanks. Both have been such important experiences for me.
You’re graduating with a major in Economics with minors in Sociology and Entrepreneurship,was HR always a goal for you?
As a student at Cristo Rey, I worked at Advanced Group for 3 years. I never thought of HR as something I could do, but I had mentors at Advanced Group who helped me find that I love anything “HR”. They believed in me. So when I graduated CRSM, I continued working for them. They were extremely flexible with my hours while I worked toward my bachelors which provided me with an income to finish school. By the time I was a senior at UIC, my position at Advanced Group included mentoring twelve Cristo Rey students.
It sounds like your academic and work study experience at Cristo Rey made the transition to college easy.
I did very well at Cristo Rey, but my performance as a freshman at UIC was not what it should have been. I struggled. I felt overwhelmed; I didn’t expect that so much would be thrown at me so quickly. Suddenly I’m in a huge lecture hall with a professor on a microphone. I had doubts about myself. I was in the city, learning to navigate public transportation. It was easy to become overwhelmed. You don’t feel at home at college…and you can start doubting. There were times when I did not feel like I was supposed to go to college.
How did you deal with all of that?
It became clear to me that this was my biggest challenge – that this could hold me back. I recognized that there was something about overcoming this obstacle and getting my college degree that was going to make me – make up my character.
And that became my fuel.
I found the power of asking questions, of advocating for myself. If you don’t, the currents will take you. I know how powerful your thoughts are – thoughts of self-doubt, internal negative comments. It comes from not knowing what is going to happen. And pride holds you back because you think it’s too late to ask questions. But it’s never too late, no matter what stage you’re in. I was surprised at how many people were willing and happy to help. Though sometimes I wonder how I found the courage to finish. And now I’m helping students get through those same feelings.
So where did that courage come from?
[pause] Thinking about it now, it came from several places. My mother is a fearless “go-getter”. She doesn’t have a lot of education, but she learns how to get what she wants and tirelessly works toward it. She has been my inspiration. When I had struggles, the simple words I believe in you were the most powerful. Cristo Rey, including Principal Odiotti’s speeches about grit, and the Work Study Program gave me the benefit of the doubt – which put me in a position to win.
As a new graduate what are your thoughts about your future?
I find that I don’t spend too much time thinking about the future. Concentrating on what’s in front of me right now seems to work better for me. I am going to start on my Master’s in Human Resource Management right away so I can help the company with my current projects.
