By Sarah Guild Harrison, ClearEdge Marketing
When tragedy struck Beatrice Elizalde’s family in 2005, she stepped in to take care of a fatally ill loved one. Doing so meant no time to finish pursuing her college degree in Computer Networking, and eventually meant her hard-won scholarship money and financial aid was taken off the table. Fortunately, Beatrice’s loved one, her maternal grandmother, recovered. But her financial situation wasn’t so resilient.
“While I had already earned an Associates degree in computer networking from Robert Morris College, I couldn’t afford to finish my Bachelor’s degree,” Beatrice said. “That’s when i.c.stars miraculously appeared.”
i.c.stars is a non-profit program that uses project-based learning and full-immersion
teaching to provide opportunities for Chicago’s inner city young adults to develop
technology and business skills. The group focuses on helping young parents trying to provide for their families, people with limited financial resources, those with a difficult background seeking a second chance in life, and those who have a passion to give back to their communities and positively impact the lives of others. i.c.stars’ goal is to develop 1,000 Community Leaders by 2020.
The “miraculous” presence of i.c.stars has meant much growth and success for dozens of former program participants—both personally and professionally. Beatrice recently took time from her hectic schedule as wife, mother of four and Project Administrator for Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) of Illinois to share with me the value she was fortunate to find in the i.c.stars program, as well as the value it’s helping her add to her own community.
How did you first hear about i.c.stars?
I was interning with the City of Chicago and saw an i.c.stars ad in the
Chicago Reader. At an i.c.stars information session two days later, an alumni of the program told us her story—the ups, downs, how hard she had to work to get through i.c.stars. Then she asked us what our stories were going to be. That made me want to be a part of i.c.stars. It made me ask ‘What do I want my story to be? How can I give back and help others become successful in the IT world?’ Thankfully, I got accepted into cycle 10 of the program.
What roles did you play in the i.c.stars projects you worked on?
My first role was Technical Analyst, on a project to build a Web site for a nonprofit organization, The Literacy Exchange. I researched software to find out how it would benefit the client. On our second project, we had to develop a Web site to help men find gifts for women based on what the women liked. My job as Business Analyst required me to research information we needed to know on a business level. For our third project, I was Project Manager (PM). We worked with United Stationers to build an entire data tracking asset system that would show who was connected online, which laptops were registered and which ones weren’t. Being PM intimidated me because I had no experience doing it. But the opportunity really prepared me for what I do now at BCBS.
How did it prepare you for your current role at BCBS?
At first I had no knowledge of how to be a PM. But Sandee Kastrul, i.c.stars’ president and co-founder, had PM lunches where she would personally share her advice and stories as well as offer more direction and support for our roles. She never said, ‘This is what you should do.’ She just gave her point of view and offered options. I felt like I was in control of the situation and supported by the mentors at i.c.stars. All the way around, it was just great support.
Besides the strong support system, what did you like about i.c.stars?
i.c.stars wasn’t like college where you take notes and tests and have midterms. It was more like, ‘Here’s the project, and you’re going to meet with the client. Here are some questions you might want to ask.’ They approach situations the way the real business world does. At i.c.stars, you’re learning, gaining experience and interacting with the client. They give you support, but don’t hold your hand through everything.
How did i.c.stars open the door to your position at BCBS?
During our internship, we attended ‘High Teas,’ where we got to meet, network and learn from IT executives while sharing tea. Through this process, we created relationships with influential leaders in the business community and technology industry. My fellow cycle mates actually thought BCBS was a company that would be perfect for me because of my skill sets and the environment I’d be working in. So I job shadowed a person at BCBS, and ended up working there as an intern/consultant after I graduated from i.c.stars in February 2006. The probation period at BCBS is normally six months, but after three months they hired me as Project Administrator. I’ve been at BCBS for two years now, and I’m so happy to be here! 
In what ways did the program encourage you to help your community?
At the start of my internship, my plan was to open a computer center where I could teach classes on using computers and graphic design and generate income. But i.c.stars inspired me to ask what I can give back to help others become successful in the IT world. i.c.stars allowed me to tear myself down like an old building and rebuild in a new way to become more beneficial for others. My vision quickly changed and now I want to open a children’s community center where kids can learn about computers and also provide a home away from home. I think if we reach them early, we can have a great impact on their lives! I have a five-year goal and have written a proposal for the center. I’m in year two now, and have collected my board members, who are helping me find a current community center so I can work there, volunteer and learn how they are operated.
Are you still involved with i.c.stars?
For the past four cycles I’ve returned as a High Tea speaker to teach the interns about emotional intelligence and time management to help them have a positive experience with the program. I let them know that while they may find themselves in a situation they can’t control, they can control the next thing they do. I share tips to help them better manage projects and maintain good relationships with their team, alumni and personal contacts. I have utilized my professional relationships at BCBS to provide Project Management Workshops to each i.c.stars cycle to help them learn about the PM role and responsibilities. I’m also in the process of developing a video FAQ Web page about alumni who were parents during the program and their experience to answer any questions for potential parent candidates.
How has the program changed you?
When I finished my internship, people told me I was different because I had a more positive outlook on things. I see i.c.stars as a light at the end of the tunnel. When you’re in i.c.stars, there’s a tunnel you’re trying to get through. There are big hills, but once you’re over it it’s a smooth ride. i.c.stars really changed my life. Whenever I go back, they always say ‘Welcome home, Bea,’ and it really feels like home at i.c.stars. I would be at their studio on my birthday if I needed to, on my anniversary if I needed to and even when I was sick. I want to help others get in and mentor them and provide the support and resources I’ve been given. At my community center I’ll incorporate Sandee and i.c.stars to recognize the program I was in. I’m so grateful.
If you are interested in becoming an i.c.stars intern, or are a company looking to hire program graduates, please contact i.c.stars Vice President Eric Lannert at elannert@icstars.org or
(312) 640-3782.
