Otis Brewer III says he always planned to attend college. But it took a billboard advertisement for Purdue University Calumet to get him going—that and the advice and experience he derived working at a market research firm.
Though he had attended a Chicago city college for a year and, later, a local community college, “I didn’t really have a direction,” the Chicago native, 1996 Simeon High school graduate and soon-to-be Purdue Calumet alumnus said. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do.”
That was until he got a job as an administrative assistant supervisor for the firm, Research International. His responsibilities included interviewing employee candidates and assisting with hiring decisions. While he said he enjoyed the work and “dealing with people,” he also learned the importance of education.
“My supervisors told me to get a degree; plus, I could see how things don’t work out without one—that you’re not able to move up to the next level,” said Brewer, 29, who will offer the traditional student response on behalf of his graduating class during Purdue Calumet Fall Commencement Exercises Dec. 18 at the Radisson Star Plaza Theater.
As Brewer pondered the advantages of a college education, a Purdue Calumet billboard got his attention one day. He then went home and “did some research” on line about Purdue Calumet and, subsequently, made an unannounced visit to the Hammond campus.
“I just showed up, walked around and talked to people,” he said. “I felt welcome and decided I wanted to come here”—which he wound up doing beginning with the fall 2004 semester, a year after moving to Highland.
Since then, Brewer has not looked back.
Building on the people interest he cultivated at Research International, he decided to major in human resource management and promised himself “to take advantage of every opportunity that presented itself.”
Those opportunities have included:
What’s more, his higher educational pursuit, he said, motivated his mother and sister to continue their education and earn associate degrees on line.
“Otis is a student who has taken full advantage of the undergraduate experience inside and outside of the classroom,” Purdue Calumet Assistant Vice Chancellor for Equal Opportunity Programs and McNair Achievement Program Director Roy Hamilton said. “Faculty members and students attending a recent National McNair Scholars Research Conference session at which Otis presented his summer undergraduate research were impressed by his depth of research and his ability to present complicated ideas clearly and concisely.”
Reflecting on his Purdue Calumet experience, Brewer said, “Coming here was a great decision. The faculty and staff are experienced, talented and passionate, and they provide you opportunities to be successful in achieving your goals.”
As for his education, there’s more to come. Looking forward to a career as a certified public accountant, Brewer says he plans to enter the Master of Accountancy program at Purdue Calumet.
Regardless of Brewer’s career direction, Purdue Calumet instructor Ed Furticella is convinced he will be successful.
“Otis does not just talk about doing things; he makes certain that things get done,” said Furticella, who Brewer credits with helping nurture his career interest in accounting. “During his years at PUC, Otis has made the most of his education. He does a great job balancing academics with involvement in student organizations and school activities... I honestly feel he will be successful anywhere and at anything.”
News Release Date: December 13, 2007
