“Luck doesn’t happen. It’s about making the right connections and taking advantage of opportunities when they present themselves.”

Justin Chukumba is the Founder and CEO at Enjiko, a talent management organization that works with artists, creatives, and visionaries to promote awareness of their unique brands and further expand their reach and impact. Describing himself as a “people person” and a “connector,” Justin values the power of building genuine relationships and connecting people around common interests to help them expand their networks.

The Essential Skills of networking and perseverance were key in Justin’s success after college. As a senior at Yale, Justin’s network was mostly in finance and consulting. Wanting to pursue a different path, Justin actively and deliberately used Yale’s Career Services. He advises college seniors and young professionals to attend career fairs, to follow up and stay connected with employers, and to always have their 30-second elevator pitch prepared.

After college, Justin went on to work for Harvey Nash as a Business Development Manager. The transition from college to the workplace is not always seamless. Despite his natural people skills, he was not as effective as he expected in managing client relationships. This experience taught Justin the importance of introspection and asking for help. He says, “It doesn’t matter how good you think you are. Everything takes practice.”

Justin volunteers as the chairperson for the CFES Junior Advisory Board and he’s a member of the National Advisory Board. He works to share the guidance and resources he received along his path with other young professionals who lack access to the same resources.

The National Advisory Board is a network of professionals who help CFES Brilliant Pathways alumni by offering professional support.