Skegee Spotlight: Aleeyah Sanders
April 23, 2018
Many contemplate what they want to be when they grow up, but for Aleeyah Sanders, it was different. She always knew that she wanted to study in the field of architecture and construction science.
Always in the Plan
鈥淢y parents back at home in Sacramento, California, were real estate investors, and my uncle worked in construction. I began to realize after going to their job sites that I wanted to do something similar to them.鈥�
Her words would soon be turned into actions as she worked diligently to solidify her career plan. After visiting Tuskegee, Aleeyah鈥檚 goals became easier to reach. She learned that the university offered both architecture and construction science and management as majors. Both struck her interest, but she eventually decided that construction science and management aligned more with her long-term interests.
Time to Renovate
Aleeyah has managed to do something that many take years to do 鈥� buy a house. How did she manage to do this?
鈥淚 watched the real estate market in Tuskegee and saw that it was extremely lower than California鈥檚 market,鈥� she recalled. 鈥淚mmediately, I began to save my money to buy a house here.鈥�
With the help of different student organizations and contractors in Tuskegee, Aleeyah began renovating the house. Good progress has already been made.
鈥淲e have redone the roof and fixed electric and plumbing issues,鈥� she reported. 鈥淲e basically gutted the house.鈥�
Once the house is completely renovated, it will be rented to students attending Tuskegee.
The Big Plan
Ultimately, Aleeyah鈥檚 big goal is to become a real estate developer. 鈥淗opefully, one day I can get into multi-family apartments,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 would like to renovate or build the apartments from the ground up.鈥�
Working in the black community is also important to Aleeyah. She wants to provide her community with the same amenities that are seen in communities outside of the black community.
Some students are studying for the graduate exams like the MCAT, GRE, or LSAT, but Aleeyah is studying for her real estate license. Just like any other major test, studying for a real estate license is a tedious task. In addition to using a variety of study materials, she benefited from the real estate course offered by the Brimmer College of Business and Information Science last fall. She anticipates taking the exam 鈥� the last step toward reaching her big goal 鈥� soon.
鈥淪ave your money, get a group of friends, and connect with the community,鈥� Aleeyah says to those who wish to do the same as her.
She certainly is an example for students and faculty alike that, if you are serious about something, do not wait to put forth the work. What you want to do in life is possible if you are willing to work toward it.