This semester, we have five graduating student employees! It has been wonderful to see these students grow during their time with us.  

Adam Holmes 

Hometown: Iowa City, Iowa 

Degree: Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering 

Next steps: I will be working as a product development engineer at IDT in Coralville, Iowa. 

What piece of advice would you give yourself in your first year of college? Don’t be afraid to ask for help! 

Elisa Burba 

Hometown: Marietta, Georgia 

Degree: Bachelor of Arts with a double major in English and history with a minor in gender, women’s, and sexuality studies  

Next steps: I will be staying in Iowa City to complete the final year of my Masters of Library and Information Science with hopes of later attending a program to earn a PhD in history. 

What piece of advice would you give yourself in your first year of college? Allow your plans to change. What you came into college wanting to do with your life probably won’t be what you leave college wanting to do. Explore as many experiences as possible, and you’ll find what you’re passionate about! 

Jiberle Mustefa 

Hometown: Iowa City, Iowa 

Degree: Bachelor of Business Administration in management with a Certificate in International Business 

What piece of advice would you give yourself in your first year of college? Trust God’s plan. Life has many twists, turns, valleys, and mountains to climb and these years will teach you that in a whole new way. It’s important to remember that at the end of this journey, the view is worth it all, and all the beauty comes from the moments it took to get there! 

Mercyanna Brandenburg 

Hometown: Algona, Iowa 

Degree: Bachelor of Science in industrial and systems engineering with a minor in business 

Next steps: I am moving to Jacksonville, Florida to be a project engineer. 

What piece of advice would you give yourself in your first year of college? I would tell myself to trust in God during those hard exams. And remember my identity is found in Christ, not measured by success on earth!  

Hometown: Karachi, Pakistan 

Degree: Master of Science in electrical and computer engineering  

Next steps: I will take a manufacturing engineering role at Tesla. 

What piece of advice would you give to yourself in your first year of college? Everything will fall into place—don’t stress about internships or the next job. You’re exactly where you need to be; focus on giving your all in whatever you do. Hard work won’t create instant breakthroughs, but it builds the momentum that turns effort into opportunity. Trust the journey, have fun!