Two passionate students who turned their career struggles into a mission to help thousands of others navigate their professional journey
TessIQ was born from a simple realization: navigating career paths as a student shouldn't feel like solving a puzzle blindfolded. As college juniors struggling to find internships and meaningful career guidance, we discovered that the most valuable insights came not from career centers, but from conversations with peers who had walked similar paths.
The chaos coordinators behind TessIQ
Co-Founder
Cybersecurity Engineering, Illinois Tech
I am Cybersecurity student, builder and someone deeply passionate about bridging the gap between learning and doing. My journey into tech didn't start wih firewalls and cryptography. It began with curiosity, late-night Yutube rabbit holes and adesire to understand how things really work behind the scenes. As I dove deeper into cybersecurity, I realized something: the field isn't just about tools and threats - it's about mindset, mentorship and staying one step ahead. But more often than not, students like me are stuck learning theory without ever getting a chances to apply it in real-world scenarios. That's when I knew - we need more than just education. We need context, community and conversation. That realization is what ultimately sparked the idea behind TessIQ.
The idea for TessIQ didn't just come in a boardroom - it sparked during a casual conversation with a friend who, just like me felt that traditional learning platforms were missing something real: connection. We weren't just looking for more content; we were looking for context, for people, for ideas that resonate. So I asked myself: What if there was a place where student could learn with others, not just from others? A place where learning meets comunity, where knowledge is practical, and where every voice matters - whether you're a student, a mentor or someone just trying to figure thungs out. That question turned into a missioned - and that mission became TessIQ
Co-Founder
Business Data Analyst, Depaul University
Hey, I’m Ishita! a computer science engineer, a Business Data Analyst, an entrepreneur, and someone who had zero clue what career paths looked like beyond the textbook. As graduation was climbing towards my head I stumbled my way through internships, late-night code sprints, awkward networking events and somewhere in that chaos, I realized something important: most students are figuring it out on their own, just like I was. I’ve been through the YouTube spirals, confusing job boards, and and countless “Am I even on the right track?” moments. And while I eventually found my footing in tech, I couldn’t shake the thought:
"If it was this confusing for me, how many other students are still feeling the same way right now?"
That question became the seed for TessIQ.
What if there was a way to connect students with peers who had been in their shoes? A platform where real conversations happen, where advice is practical, and where every student can find their tribe. Because let’s be honest, career guidance isn’t just about resumes and cover letters it’s about people, stories, and shared experiences.
From late-night coding sprints to obsessing over UI spacing, I’ve always believed tech should feel like a friendly guide, not a puzzle. As a Business Analyst turned full-stack tinkerer, I’ve spent my journey translating problems into systems that just work even if it takes three cups of coffee and a stubborn bug battle to get there.
The principles that guide everything we do at TessIQ
We belive learning thrives in environments where students lift each other up. TessIQ is built to foster collaboration, mentorship and shared growth - not just grades.
Whether you're a first-year student or someone figuring out your career path, TessIQ gives everyone a seat at the table. No gatekeeping. No elitism. Just learning and Growing Together.
We value doing more than knowing. Whether it's building projects, joining discussions or getting mentored - we want students to experience, not just absorb.
From struggling students to helping navigate their careers
As students, we noticed a major gap - while there's no shortage of online courses, there's a serious lack of real connection, mentorship and practical context. Most learning felt like a monologue, not a conversion. It felt lonely. Directionless. That was the struggle.
Spring 2025We didn't want to just complain - We wanted to build. What if there was a platform where students could connect, grow together and learn from each other and industry experts? That idea lit the fuse. TessIQ was born not from ambition - but from empathy.
Spring 2025Ideas are messy. We spent time exploring what TessIQ should actually do - should it be a blog? A mentorship platform? A learning hub? We prototyped, designed, asked questions and iterated (a lot). The vision got sharper every week.
Summer 2025We started reaching out - to mentors, professionals, students and even strangers. Every conversation either validated the idea or improved it. The phase was all about building with others, not just for others.
Summer 2025We're now putting it all together - designing the site, creating content, building features and preparing to launch the first version. The foundation is strong and the journey is just getting started.
Fall 2025The journey is alive. Come back here anytime to see how we're evolving, what challenges we're tackling and where we're headed next.
Summer 2025Sarah and Marcus are always excited to hear from students and share their journey. Reach out for mentorship, partnerships, or just to say hello!