Success stories of our graduates 3
From Graduation to Career: “At Manas, the Sense of Belonging Never Ends”
Some universities simply grant degrees. Others instill an identity, a network, and a sense of self-confidence that permeates even the way a person carries themselves. Speaking with Sezim Karybekova, a 2025 graduate of Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University, it quickly becomes clear that her journey is more than just an educational milestone. Her story is one of an invisible bond that persists long after graduation—a narrative of institutional memory and personal transformation.
Karybekova is a rising star among young professionals in the field of public relations. She leads a fast-paced professional life, working with global brands across various sectors, entrepreneurs, and the new wave of digital influencers. However, when the conversation turns to her university years, her tone shifts; it becomes slower, more sincere, and deeply personal.
“At Manas, there is no such thing as an 'ex-student',” she says. “One might leave the school, but the sense of belonging never ends. No matter where we are, we still feel like students of this university.” This sentence is perhaps the best starting point to understand her career, as Karibekova’s story demonstrates how much room serendipity can occupy in a person’s life alongside a planned route.
“A Map App Brought Me to the University”
Karybekova’s college application period coincided with the uncertain days of the pandemic. At the time, her primary goal was to study medicine. While waiting in a long registration queue, she noticed Manas University on a map application on her phone. Driven by curiosity, she decided to stop by the campus.
In many life stories, turning points are described with grand statements. Hers, however, began with a seemingly ordinary, small decision: visiting a nearby campus. Yet, that brief visit shifted the direction of her career. Instead of medicine, she chose a second dream she had long kept in the back of her mind: Public Relations and Advertising.
Looking back today, she views that moment not merely as a change in preference, but as a threshold that shaped her character. She explains that the university provided her with more than just vocational knowledge; it taught her how to build human relationships, be open to different ideas, and remain composed in rapidly changing circumstances.
“I Still Keep My Student ID”
For this successful communicator, her relationship with the campus did not end on graduation day. She still keeps her student ID. She mentions that she visits the university whenever she can, sometimes going out of her way just to soak in the campus atmosphere again. People don't just visit certain places out of necessity; they go there to remember who they are. For her, the campus is exactly that kind of place.
“Manas Offers Equality of Opportunity”
While describing her years at Manas, she particularly highlights accessibility and equal opportunity. She emphasizes that she received a tuition-free education for five years, including the preparatory language year. She believes this is not just an economic advantage, but a space of freedom that allows a student to focus entirely on their potential. When the financial burden is lifted, a student's energy is reserved for learning, experimenting, and growing.
Academic Support Continues After Graduation
Her bond with the university has remained strong even after entering professional life. She shares that in challenging moments, she still consults her professors, noting that their doors are always open to their students. In her view, these types of relationships are rarely written in a curriculum, yet they constitute the true legacy of education. As much as knowledge itself, the presence of a mentor you can call when needed keeps a person grounded.
Recently, she returned to her faculty to give a seminar. This time, she was in the classroom not as a student, but as an alumna sharing her experiences. She describes returning to the academic halls with a different identity as a "strange yet beautiful feeling." Standing at the very desks where she once took notes—now as the one giving advice—is one of time’s silent, poetic cycles.
“The Key to Success is Flexibility and Adaptability”
What stands out in her professional philosophy is that she doesn't define success with loud slogans. For her, one of the most vital skills in public relations is flexibility. Every plan can change, every crisis may require a new language, and every client can open a door to a different world. In such moments, adapting quickly, finding the right tone, and truly listening to people are the deciding factors.
“Stepping Out of the Comfort Zone Isn't Mandatory for Everyone”
Karybekova also maintains a healthy distance from popular self-improvement rhetoric. She believes the phrase “you must step out of your comfort zone” doesn't apply to everyone. She argues that people don't live at the same rhythm or produce in the same way. Some shine in the early morning hours, others in the silence of the night. To her, the real issue isn't copying someone else’s formula, but discovering one's own workflow.
Perhaps this is why she frequently emphasizes the importance of loving what you do. She believes that a job you love can turn into a source of energy rather than just a source of income. If, at the end of an exhausting day, you feel you’ve done something meaningful, then that day was not wasted.
“Saying ‘I am from Manas’ is a Responsibility”
Despite the speed of the digital age, her sensitivity toward ethics is striking. She reminds us that work done on the internet leaves permanent traces. A campaign, a sentence, or a poorly constructed message can resurface years later. Consequently, she feels she carries not only her own name but also the name of her university. “I act carefully so as not to tarnish the reputation of Manas,” she says, emphasizing that responsibility is just as important as success.
A Message to Students: “Trust Yourself”
Karybekova offers a simple but powerful message to today’s students: do not underestimate yourselves. She describes Manas students as humble, hardworking, and open to growth, but notes that this humility can sometimes turn into a lack of self-confidence. Yet, an individual must first believe in their own knowledge and effort.
Sezim Karybekova’s story differs from the sharp "success myths" often encountered in modern career narratives. In this story, there are no sudden miracles, overnight victories, or flawless plans. Instead, there is curiosity, adaptation, hard work, ethics, and a sense of belonging. Perhaps what we call lasting success is exactly the sum of these parts.
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