October 17, 2024
BLOOMINGTON, ILL. — Two Illinois Wesleyan physics majors, Joelle McMilan '25 and Roshan Prakash '24, had the chance to attend the Forbes Under 30 Summit in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Sept. 22-25.
According to Associate Director for Career Engagement Patrick Zajac, this is the first time IWU students have attended the event.
“It is a testament to their skills, passions, and dedication to impacting others,”
Zajac said.
“Forbes 30 Under 30 is a highly selective event. It is a gathering of renowned leaders
from all across industries and the globe. Attendees are able to learn and network
with individuals, participate in enriching workshops, and grow professionally and
personally.”
The Forbes 30 Summit is a four-day experience that featured speakers, performers and
useful insights surrounding networking. Zajac said networking can be exciting and
students should treat each networking opportunity as a chance to learn new concepts,
skills, or career possibilities.
“Networking can be an opportunity for students to build impactful connections that can help them now and in the future. It can help students learn about industries of interest or new careers they might not have even considered yet,” he said. “We want to help students understand the importance of networking but make it a less stressful experience [by] switch[ing] the mindset to a positive experience.”
Senior IWU physics major Roshan Prakash is currently in his final year of the 3-2 program at Columbia University in computer engineering. Prakash said he had the chance to meet other attendees at the event and learn about their goals, followed by a concert featuring performances from DJ Xandra, Shaboozey, and Metro Boomin.
On the second day, Prakash said, there were dedicated meeting tables where students were able to schedule one-on-one networking sessions with individuals whose careers sparked interest.
“I had the opportunity to connect with a diverse group of people, including investment bankers, startup founders, and other students,” said Prakash. “Throughout the day, there were also keynote speeches from notable Forbes Under 30 listers, sharing valuable insights. The evening wrapped up with more informal networking events, such as a bar crawl and pickleball.”
On the final day, there were several keynote speeches that provided even more inspiration for Prakash. “I was pleasantly surprised by the wide range of fields represented by young pioneers at the summit,” he said. “From nuclear physicists to photographers and journalists, the diversity of careers was truly impressive. I really enjoyed meeting individuals from such a variety of backgrounds, as it gave me an interdisciplinary education on the different industries out there. It also broadened my perspective on the many fields I can explore as an aspiring entrepreneur.”
Along with Prakash, there were many other undergraduate students who attended the event, which was both “motivating and exciting” for him. “Meeting them and hearing about their diverse interests and career ambitions was truly eye-opening,” said Prakash. “It allowed me to see the world from the perspective of many talented individuals. I also felt a strong sense of community throughout the event, as everyone was incredibly positive and friendly." Prakash added he was able to make meaningful connections and build a few impactful friendships on the trip.
“From a young age,” Prakash said, “I’ve always wanted to be an entrepreneur. The idea of building something new has fascinated me.” However, that fascination came with its fair share of intimidation. “There are so many ‘what if’ situations that I wasn’t sure how to navigate, and without a clear-cut path, it felt like a daunting task to pursue,” he said.
Prakash feels attending the Forbes Summit gave him an opportunity to meet like-minded individuals helping him realize he isn’t alone on this journey. “I now have peers to collaborate with [as] a network of support along the way.”
Hearing from Forbes Under 30 listers who shared their experiences and journeys provided
Prakash with insights of what it truly means to be an entrepreneur. A recurring theme,
Prakash said, was to follow your passion and the rest will fall into place. “This
message resonated with me and gave me the confidence to pursue my entrepreneurial
aspirations with greater clarity and determination.”
Prakash had the opportunity to sit down and chat with both the CEO, Francesca Albo, and CFO Jackson Tran, of a company called Puppysphere. What impressed Prakash was how innovative their concept was, especially in such a niche industry. Albo is a pioneer in the field of dog yoga with several locations opened across the country. She shared with Prakash about the life of a business owner, including the tough decisions and long hours that come with it. Transpoke to Prakash about the financial side of things, explaining the bootstrapping approach, where you save up to around $10,000 and use it to start up a business.
Speaker Ankur Jain, founder and CEO of Bilt Rewards, described the challenges of starting a business and highlighted that while the problem you're solving remains constant, the approach might evolve — insights that Prakash found “especially helpful” for entrepreneurs.
Prakash was able to witness firsthand how deeply passionate everyone was about their work from this experience.
“Their goal wasn’t just to achieve personal success but to genuinely solve problems and make a positive impact on the world,” he said. "What stood out to me was how successful yet humble and down-to-earth they were. They emphasized the role of a true leader: to ‘define reality and give hope.’ This mindset really resonated with me, as I believe it's an essential lesson for any young, aspiring entrepreneur.”
Senior psychics major with a minor in economics and environmental studies, Joelle McMillan had the chance to meet NYT best-selling poet Rupi Kaur, who signed her copy of Milk and Honey as well as Drew Afualo, who signed her new book Loud.
“From thought-provoking sessions to unparalleled networking, we connected with some of the brightest, most innovative minds shaping the future,” McMillan said. What stood out to her the most was how “approachable and down-to-earth” the high-profile panelists were. “I was pleasantly surprised by their warmth, including several Forbes Under 30 Listers who initiated conversations and offered thoughtful advice.”
McMillan was also able to appreciate the diversity at the Summit as “speakers, panelists, and Listers came from various backgrounds, cultures, and identities, enriching the conversations and perspectives,” she said.