University News

Just Hired: Zander Doan

June 6, 2024

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Just Hired! Through the experiences of local, regional, national and international students, Western Illinois University has some incredible alumni who are changing the world in the workforce. This series will feature students from all over the world who are hired post-graduation.

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL - - Meet Zander Doan, a recent graduate of the Law Enforcement and Justice Administration (LEJA) program, who recently accepted a position with the Office of United States Senator Tammy Duckworth, working with constituents from more than 50 counties.

"I was grateful to have the opportunity to be hired as a Spring 2024 intern and I start full time in January," Doan said. "In this position, I will help the office with casework, local community outreach and all United States Military Academy Nominations and oversee the entire internship program for all future interns with our office."

Doan notes the position came to be after completing an internship in the office and a full-time position opened.

"After I applied I went through an interview with the staff along with some other candidates," Doan said. "I was lucky to get the position before my internship was even over as the new staff assistant/internship coordinator for the office. I spent the last few weeks as an intern training and learning everything I can from the person I am taking over so I'm fully prepared to start on day one."

When asked how his degree prepared him for the workforce, Doan responded the most important thing he learned was networking.

"I think the single most important thing I learned at WIU was networking and how to be personable with everyone I interact with. I think that is a skill commonly overlooked that is very important. The networking and leadership opportunities I gained from WIU were invaluable and I will forever be grateful. Both of my majors helped me in several different ways. LEJA helped me with learning the basics of government including valuable ethical skills I use every day. Sociology helped me key in on my writing and research skills along with understanding societal issues that I help constituents with every day. In the end, both of my programs helped develop me to easily be able to integrate into the professional workforce," Doan said.

"I plan on continuing lifelong friendships I developed not only in my fraternity but all around campus. Having the opportunity to also be one of the few WIU Homecoming Royalty Alumni now, I want to continue coming back for homecoming to carry on the traditions that I got to do in my undergrad," Doan concluded.

For more information on WIU's LEJA programs, visit wiu.edu/LEJA.
To share your hiring story with WIU, visit forms.gle/him2LFf9eyCb5yKk9.

Posted By: Lexi Dittmar (aj-dittmar@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing