Rock Valley College Alum Named One of Forbes’ 30 Under 30

Forbes recently published its annual 30 Under 30 list featuring young entrepreneurs working for big technology companies, including one Rock Valley College alum doing great things at Netflix.

The Benefits of Community College

When I graduated high school, I, along with most of my friends, had big university dreams, but I also knew one important thing: I wasn't ready to make that move yet.

Don't get me wrong, I was beyond ready to attend parties and meet new, interesting people, but that was part of the problem. I knew if I went to a university straight out of high school, my newfound freedom would have led to college failure, so I decided to stay home and attend Rock Valley College for two years instead.

For two years I worked, went to class, saved money, and graduated with my Associate's from Rock Valley College. It gave me time to mature and a good educational foundation to transfer to Illinois State University with the next year.

Many of my high school friends who attended a 4-year university straight out of high school might have mocked my community college decision, but I have always stood firm on one fact: damn fine students come out of Rock Valley College. Here's proof.

Rock Valley College Alum Make Forbes' 30 Under 30 List

Keanu Concepcion is currently a product manager at Netflix Games tasked with attracting and keeping players engaged with Netflix's gaming portfolio. He has racked up some stunning achievements in his 29 years, including being named to Forbes' 30 Under 30 - Games list, but his journey began at Rock Valley College. (How cool is that?!)

Keanu Concepcion's path to RVC started after he was rejected from University of Southern California according to WIFR:

Concepcion realized his passion for media in high school while working on the Harlem Veteran Project with RVC Mass Communication professor Jerry LaBuy.

After Concepcion was rejected from the University of Southern California’s (USC) film program, he enrolled in RVC’s Mass Comm program where LaBuy would be his professor.

Concepcion was very involved with film during his time at RVC, which led to being accepted to USC where he discovered his love for gaming. To read more about Concepcion's achievements, check out Forbes' article here.