Where Are They Now? Alumni Report

By Dan McManmon, College Internship Program National Office

This month we will briefly catch up with Berkshire Center Alumni Brian Plushanski. Brian left the Berkshire Center in the Spring of 2009. He now lives in central New Jersey, where he works with his father at ABM Self Storage, BP Construction Company and a new Recycling Company  he is starting.

When Brian first came to CIP, he struggled with his reading course at Berkshire Community College. He then took advantage of the Career Skills Training and Employment Program (C-STEP) in conjunction with CIP’s in-house classes and training modules at the Berkshire Center. The staff at Berkshire had many good things to say about Brian….

Gary Shaw, Berkshire Center Program Director
“Brian is so well liked by the other students. I don’t think there is one student who doesn’t see him as a friend. I remember when Brian had been home for a prolonged period for medical reasons. When he returned to CIP Berkshire, a van full of students who had been off campus pulled up next to his car and all shouted excitedly… “Brians’ Here ’’ in unison.”

Lucy Allarie-Gosselin, C-STEP Director
“Brian was a great conversationalist! He always inquired if you had a good weekend, asked what you did over the weekend, and asked about your family. Corinne, an instructor in C-STEP tutored Brian for a year and after his work was done, she and Brian used to travel the world, via the Internet of course, and talk about all of the places they’d like to visit. Brian loves to travel and hopes to travel to Ireland for Berkshires Spring Break trip and South Africa with Dr. McManmon this upcoming year. Brian is a hard worker, happy go lucky, considerate of others and always fun to talk with. We hope he gets to see the world!”

I followed up with Brain via CIP’s Facebook group. Brian was headed to the Bahama’s for a much needed vacation but was able to answer a few questions beforehand for us…

What are your current hobbies?

My hobbies are hanging out with friends, going to the movies, playing sports, reading books, talking to people from around the world on skype, traveling to different places and countries.

What accomplishments have you made since your time at CIP?

I have learned to establish a schedule that includes working two different jobs, exercising and managing my finances.

If you could still have 1 part of the CIP program, what would it be?

I would say the weekend activities. They were always fun. Trips to North Hampton were my favorite.

What advice would you give to current CIP students?

Work hard and you will do well in life.

Where do you see yourself in the future?

I see myself living in one of the New England states like Maine or New Hampshire since I like the cold. Maybe working in a travel agency since I am good at researching.

Thanks, Brian!

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