John Capers ’21 has navigated a remarkable journey from his college days to a thriving career at Box in Chicago. His story unveils the transformative experiences at CC, active engagement in various extracurricular activities, and enduring connections that have paved his path to success. As a senior product support specialist at Box, his work mainly focused on customer service, Capers credits CC for refining his people skills, facilitating his success in his current role.
Capers, who majored in Political Science and German Studies, attributes much of his career success to the diverse perspectives he encountered at CC. Exposed to different people and opinions, he emphasizes how the networking opportunities at CC opened doors to amazing career paths. For Capers, the college’s unique atmosphere attracts individuals committed to doing good for others, forming a supportive community that aids personal and professional growth.“There are a lot of different opportunities for people to network, learn something new, engage with people, and really just figure out what you want to do,” says Capers. He believes the Career Center at CC is the ultimate resource that helped him get where he is, and develop into the person he has become.
Studying politics at CC taught Capers to appreciate diverse mindsets. The experience made him comfortable with different opinions and equipped him with the skills to engage in meaningful discussions and dialogue. Studying abroad in Luneburg, Germany broadened his global perspective, fostering a well-rounded college education. It showed him how vast, complicated, and beautiful the world is.
“It was one of those experiences that helped me solidify my place in the world,” he says. “It made me realize that there is a world beyond just my immediate and current surroundings and exploring it can help me create a bigger impact.”
During his time at CC, Capers was actively involved in student government. As a First-Year and Sophomore Student Representative, Capers realized the importance of making student voices heard and connecting CC with the broader community. His role as a mentor for Bridge Scholars, supporting first-gen and POC students, was particularly fulfilling. He talks about the importance of having a community of people from similar backgrounds, who simply ‘get it’.
“My role as Bridge Mentor was an integral part of being involved, building community, and trying to make sure that my mentees were happy, and felt seen and validated at a campus that was either very far, or close to home,” he says.
Capers also contributed to making CC’s curriculum more inclusive through his role in the Curriculum Executive Committee. He was part of the team that looked into how to make FYPs and Gen-Ed requirements more inclusive.
As a senior product support specialist at Box, Capers appreciates his role and successfully advocates for changes to align it with his interests. The supportive company culture and team dynamics make the job enjoyable, dispelling negative feelings and assumptions he initially held about the corporate world, giving credit to the care and respect offered by his company.
When asked about his future aspirations, he says, “There is a lot of growth to be achieved within my company. Figuring out what’s next for me is just tough because I have a lot of different interests and I want to explore different topics.”
When discussing CC versus the “real world,” Capers explains how the Block Plan’s efficiency and the support from the Career Center, including the Tiger Trek program, prepared him well. As part of the Tiger Trek program, he participated in a trip to New York, gaining exposure to different career paths in media, art, and entertainment which broadened his perspective on possibilities after CC. Capers regards the Block Plan as excellent preparation for fast-paced environments that require multitasking.
For new alumni, Capers assures that you can do whatever you want as long as you care about it.
“It is so easy to sort of forget that you have your entire future ahead of you,” he says. “Your growth is not linear- it can go up, it can go down. But at the end of the day if you’re working towards something you are truly passionate about, and taking care of yourself in some capacity, it will work out.
Capers highlights the ease of forming personal connections that comes with being a CC alum, fostering relationships with others who share this distinctive mark. The alumni network has played a crucial role in his life, influencing his post-college journey positively.
“Overall, the alumni network for me has been key in maintaining that close knit group of friends, bonding over our shared experiences at CC.”