Undergraduate Research

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

How did you gain experience when you were a student?

As the first to attend college in my family and a low-income transfer student, I participated in the work-study program for the School of Humanities Dean’s office and learned valuable administrative skills. I also became a Writing & Reading Center peer tutor, which illuminated how I could use my experiences to support peers in learning to navigate higher education and achieve academic, personal and professional success. I found that writing skills, higher education, and my own upward mobility journey were closely linked.

How did you become a career development professional?

After earning a master’s in Creative Writing, I learned grant-writing skills as an administrator for two research teams: a biomedical engineering laboratory and an interdisciplinary digital media and learning research group. Interacting with faculty and student researchers taught me about discipline-specific approaches to innovation, the role of mentoring in life-long learning, and the influence of writing skills on professional lives and adventures around the world. I realized the importance of the undergraduate experience in establishing the communication strategies and confidence necessary for later success. Today, as an undergraduate research and fellowship advisor, I encourage and mentor undergraduates as they develop effective grant-writing skills and greater understanding of their career paths while competing for research awards or national and international scholarships.

Who is someone who impacted your career development?

Several amazing mentors helped me to navigate higher education environments and learn new genres of communication. In particular, Professor Michael Jayme taught me about the power of narrative writing and the representation of identities and communities; Professor Enrico Gratton imparted the fundamentals of research proposal writing; Lindy Grishkoff illuminated the hidden infrastructure of universities and policies that support positive faculty, staff, and student interaction; Michelle Tsai brought me into the fellowships community and empowered me to develop creative new resources for scholarship applicants; Sue Cross modeled how to support and collaborate with advisor and tutor colleagues, and Dr. Rose S. Jones helped me to understand my potential as a leader and develop a vision for my impact on student success.

Pronouns: She/Her

How did you gain experience when you were a student?  

My experiences were informed by the pursuit of my (numerous) interests as well as the supportive relationships I cultivated with those I met along the way. Entering university as a low-income, first-generation student, I had the privilege of participating in the William H. Thompson Scholars Learning Community, which later prepared me for a sketch of opportunities that ranged from peer tutoring and campus sustainability advocacy to student research and professional internships both foreign and domestic. At the heart of all that I embarked upon was the ever-present link between needing to leverage the resources around me to succeed and eagerly aspiring to be such a resource for others. Centering that give-and-take process in my education helped me outline a flexible, yet purposeful, path toward gaining the experience and skills that I continue to build on today.

How did you become a career development professional? 

Not unlike how I gained experience as a student, my approach to career development has been similarly motivated by a strong desire to foster collaboration and connection, especially during the acquisition of knowledge. Following graduation – well equipped with my interdisciplinary degrees in communication studies and global studies – I continued my contributions to the workforce at the state, non-profit, and academic levels. Be it working with an intern on legislative research or coordinating events that engaged university faculty, staff, and students nationwide – I was simply drawn to helping others build capacity and learn communally. At present, I employ my knowledge of program development, event planning, and research administration (to name a few) to operate as lenses through which I encourage and guide students and colleagues toward their own professional development.

Who is someone who impacted your career development? 

While there are so many who have meaningfully impacted me, those who were especially invaluable took the time to meet me where I was at and help me investigate the big ideas of my coursework and professional goals. The exceptional and accessible faculty who comprise the Department of Communication Studies as well as the Department of Global Studies sparked my curiosity and intentionally exposed me to research and non-profit activity. Likewise, the peers and students I mentored and consulted with during my studies helped me immensely to discover a passion and aptitude for navigating higher education, academia, and the working world. Last, but certainly not least, my former colleagues at research centers and initiatives on campus warmly introduced me to transformative work that reflected how community, equity, and training can – and should – be combined to elevate academic endeavors and deliver positive, tangible change.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers 

How did you gain experience when you were a student?  

As a student, I was heavily involved in student government, student organizations, and undergraduate research. I valued learning from others and understood the importance of experiential learning. I have always had a strong desire to help others, guide them in their learning, and aid them in their career and life paths. Student teaching provided me with invaluable hands-on experiences and helped me better realize my love and knack for working with students. These various experiences have led me to seek a career in student affairs where I can continue to develop my passion for helping students fulfill their life goals and dreams.

Who is someone who impacted your career development? 

There is not a single individual who has impacted my career development. Rather, I can think of a handful of professors, advisors, and my cooperating teacher who have guided me throughout my professional career path. Everyone taught me a different, valuable lesson that helped me understand what it means to be a good teacher, listener, learner, and advisor. Each one had their personal touch within their career field and learning from and shadowing them helped me develop my own personal touch. They taught me how big of an impact I can have on others and how to use that for good. Their individual impacts on me are something I will never forget and continues to guide me to this day.