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 visionaries who started it all
Co-Founder & CEO
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 & COO
Business Analyst, Depaul University
First-generation college student who worked his way through multiple internships at startups and consulting firms. Marcus experienced firsthand the challenges of navigating career paths without family guidance.
"Every student deserves access to the same network and opportunities, regardless of their background. TessIQ democratizes career guidance by connecting students with peers who've been in their shoes."
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!