AAS Green River College (2015–2016), El Camino College (2016–2017), BA in Communication Studies – Cal State Northridge (2018–2020), MA in Corporate Communication – University of Colorado Boulder (2023–2024). Work Experience: Head of Sales, Jack Weir & Sons, Diamonds & Estate Jewelry, Beverly Hills (2020–Present)
Share a bit about yourself and what you have been up to since you left Green River.
I was born and raised in Siberia, Russia, and moved to America at the age of 15 to pursue my education and create opportunities aligned with my ambition and desire to live life to the fullest. I hold many fond memories of my time at Green River and the Pacific Northwest. Since then, I’ve been living in Los Angeles for the past nine years while building my career in Sales & Marketing and attending college full time.
I was lucky to travel around the country and complete two OPT programs between institutions, which gave me valuable experiences and a competitive edge when entering the workforce after my BA. I was hired as the marketing manager for a family-owned vintage and antique jewelry company—one of the first hires who wasn’t a family member. Five years later, I’m now Head of Sales at the age of 26 and have personally hired, trained, and managed multiple team members and outsourced agencies.
When I’m not selling one-of-a-kind treasures, I enjoy traveling the world with my loved ones and living an active lifestyle—hot yoga, surfing, snowboarding, reading, pottery, dancing, and more.
How did your education at Green River College prepare you for where you are today?
I was always very thoughtful about the professors I chose. My U.S. History 101 professor made me fall in love with American history and the government system—to this day, people are often impressed by my depth of knowledge as a foreigner. My English teacher taught me to love literature and reading, which made my entire college journey smoother. I reached a level where I could read 30+ books a year and retain complex concepts, which helped me become a critical thinker.
We had many theoretical and open discussions in class, and I realized how much joy I found in deep, thought-provoking conversations. Most importantly, I wasn’t sure what to major in until my counselor at Green River suggested Communication Studies—a discipline I had never even heard of before. I was only 16 or 17 at the time, but given my social nature and love for the liberal arts, she thought it would be a good fit—and she was right.
I truly believe that, while broad, Communication Studies is a fundamental discipline that’s essential in our academic, personal, and professional lives. My junior and senior years in my BA program were incredibly fulfilling—I loved diving into theory, rhetoric, debate, intercultural communication, philosophy, and psychology. I even pursued a master’s degree in Corporate Communication, which my company is helping to cover. This initiative helped pioneer a tuition reimbursement program at my workplace.
What kind of advice would you give a GRC student who dreams of getting into a top university?
Be very thoughtful about your schedule, your classes, and the professors you take. The decisions you make now will become the foundation of your future. If possible, take winter and summer classes to expedite your education, and absolutely do an OPT every time you can. Be disciplined and diligent in your studies. At the end of the day, you’re the one who needs this—not your professors, not your family.
If you’re committing to college, you might as well make the most of it. Doing so will give you both the breadth of knowledge and the depth of experience you’ll need in the real world. It will help you stand out from your peers and make a lasting impression. I’m now in a position where I compete for roles with people a decade older than me because of the experience I’ve accumulated in my field.
Please share anything else you would like to add.
Beyond being a wonderful college, Green River is nestled in the outskirts of Seattle—a romantic, poetic area rich in nature and culture. Some of my favorite memories include exploring the surrounding areas with friends I met at GRC—hiking, visiting national parks, waterfalls, Norwegian settlements, and islands. We often went road-tripping through Washington and Oregon.
Returning to the Pacific Northwest always brings nostalgia and warmth. I can never visit Seattle without stopping by Pike Place Market and my favorite restaurant—The Pink Door. These memories are very dear to me and remind me of a beautiful chapter in my youth—full of learning, adventure, and connection.