Alumni Spotlight: Alisa Zhumadilova, ICP 107

July 28, 2015

Alisa Zhumadilova is a graduate student of International and Comparative Politics department and alumna of Future Leaders Exchange program. She was one of the most active students during her study years at AUCA. Alisa successfully combined studying, work and volunteering, being a member of SIFE (currently Enactus club) and Rotaract student clubs as well as developing charity and youth entrepreneurship projects. Alisa has rich professional background, however she actively communicates with the university as a member of Alumni Council.

Please tell us about your student life at AUCA? What did you do, what do you remember?

I believe that student life is something that every alumna keeps remembering from time to time with nostalgic flavor. After graduation and before AUCA moved to the new campus I have visited AUCA from time to time either for meetings or just for lunch. Somehow, even the ordinary food tastes much tastier and healthier there.

 

As for me the student life at AUCA was pretty active and it is mostly all about the people and personalities. I was very lucky because from the very beginning I was surrounded by leaders who managed student clubs and other advisors who served as role models for me. Because of their high commitment and unquenchable drive you start doing things that you did not do before. Somehow you already standing in the middle of Bravo and selling cakes or knocking the every door and looking for “apashka”, who will be willing to cook and make money for living as another SIFE/Enactus project.

 

Later I was engaged in Rotaract club and it was even more interesting. I can tell so many stories from this period of my life, which last for more than 4 years. Our great team was engaged in lots of fundraising projects. We had a traditional one - there we were carving pumpkins every Halloween for fundraising event. Imagine around 20 students surrounding more than 50 pumpkins, holding knives in the middle of Bravo cafe?! And later visiting every company around the city with no notification with a “handmade” pumpkin and little candle inside kindly asking them to buy it? Also we used to make handmade cards for some special holidays also as a fundraising. We didn’t have office, so used to “rent” one of the AUCA rooms, and start making “magic”. It was so funny, we kept running to 104 office or any other open office either asking for scissors, paper, and other stationary or making copies and asking the staff to print them out. So, we used all AUCA resources, but in good purposes. From project to project we were becoming more and more professional, so at some point all work was distributed by talent, and we looked like as Santa workshop/manufactory. I am not sure if these skills are useful now, but it was very good experience.

 

What do you think about the education?

Education is not only about knowledge, it is also about skills. And I think from the story above you can see what a great platform AUCA can be for students to grow, experiment and learn. But it depends on each student as well. Also to tell how well is education we can judge from the life of students after university. Day by day social media tells about more and more AUCA grads who become high level officials, received MBA at top schools, launched new businesses, work in internationally known companies, etc. I am very proud to be AUCA alumna.

 

What role did AUCA play in your life?

Very important. My whole current network is either AUCA alumni, or was acquired during my studies at AUCA. And we all know how important networking is.

 

Please tell us about your professional experience.

Surprisingly, right after graduation I (a fresh ICP graduate) started working at several IT startups. I have really enjoyed it and learned a lot. For almost 3 years I was engaged in launching various IT products: mobile wallet, online library, online booking, mobile apps, etc. Never say never. I have never imagined myself somehow attached to IT, coding, etc. But it happened, and sometimes I had even dreams where I was looking for solutions on how to make user-friendly interface for new mobile app.

Somewhere in between of this, I tried to open Instagram shop with my friends. We launched our own clothing brand for future Moms, once I opened HR hiring firm. At the end of last year I opened hostel for tourists.

Now I am working at the American Chamber of Commerce in the Kyrgyz Republic. And I am really enjoying it. I have a great team and not surprisingly most of them are AUCA Alumni. Zarina Chekirbaeva, who is also graduate of AUCA, is my director there. She is an inspiring personality, and she creates productive and pleasant atmosphere for working. She is the role model I was looking for. I think we are lack of real inspiring leaders, especially women, from whom you can learn how women should do business. Recently, I have decided to close all my ongoing “billion dollar” businesses and focus on current work, and think big.

Why have you decided to join AUCA Alumni Council?

At certain point I realized how I miss voluntary work. I really enjoy it. Again, I am very lucky, because I am surrounded by cool group of likeminded people, who are ready to make lemonades and sell them at garage sale, bug people to support AUCA and buy a brick or bumper sticker. Alibek, Janybek, Akjibek, Diana, Diana Tsoi, Aisuluu, Jenny, Melisbek, Erlan - all of them are great team members.

 

What motivates you in your life both personal and professional?

People motivate me. But discipline is more important.

 

As a member of the AUCA Alumni Council, how do you see the role of alumni in supporting AUCA?

I believe that each AUCA alumna thinks about supporting his or her university. But everyone has own time and means. Recently I bought a brick. Sometime in the future I would love to grant a scholarship to some talented student most likely to a girl. Nowadays, education for girls is vital. And I am very grateful that AUCA gave me that opportunity to acquire education at one of the best universities in Central Asia.

 

What would you say to the AUCA alumni, fellows, students, professors if you were to address them in a speech?

At this moment of life I am still accumulating experience and knowledge, and maybe I won’t say anything unusual, because I am still young. When I will be ready to give a speech, I will share for sure. And most importantly not only to say something, but to do something in real. Now I am just grateful to my University, to its staff, professors, fellows, alumni for being a part of the most unforgettable and precious time of my life.

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