College of Business

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

How did you gain experience when you were a student?

I was a work-study student at the library and speech communication department while also working as a radio announcer. In my summers, I was a park ranger at Scotts Bluff National Monument.

How did you become a career development professional?

My major was communication studies with organizational psychology and business minors. My first job out of college was leading job search programs for individuals receiving public assistance. From there, I moved into a role working with career information for colleges and K-12 schools. This varied background in career development led me to work in college career services.

Who is someone who impacted your career development?

My supervisor and head of the Speech Team inspired me on presentations and content creation. My Business Communications faculty impressed upon me the importance of a solid resume and being able to target my skills as a liberal arts major. These both led me to pursue a career where I could deliver career preparation content and help people find ways to market themselves effectively.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers 

How did you gain experience when you were a student?  

For three out of my four summers as a college student, I worked for University Housing as a Conference Assistant (CA). Assisting UNL summer campers and conference guests from around the world and working with a diverse team of 40 other CAs was an incredible summer job. It was also my first exposure to working in higher education, which ultimately led me to my current profession working in career services.

How did you become a career development professional? 

I still remember taking my first career assessment in eighth grade – it was so exciting! Looking back, it’s no surprise that I developed an interest in Psychology and then career development. Since graduating with a Masters in Counseling, I have worked as an Employment Specialist, Psychology Advisor, Career Coordinator, and now Career Coach/Associate Director of Career & Professional Development.

Who is someone who impacted your career development? 

As a psychology major, many students felt pressure to pursue a Ph.D. program in Psychology, but my interest in career development and counseling aligned better with a Master’s degree. I’d always been an overachiever and a Master’s degree felt like settling. At the time, I was researching with a Ph.D. student (Amy) who also mentored us research assistants on the process of getting into a Ph.D. program. When it came time to apply, I trusted my gut and pursued a Master’s degree. I later learned that Amy never finished her Ph.D. program – she quit after 4 years, moved to Seatle, and opened a bakery (her true passion!). She taught me to trust my instincts and be confident in my career decisions.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

How did you gain experience when you were a student?

I made myself apply for new opportunities even if they were outside of my comfort zone. This included applying for leadership roles, internships, and taking classes that included project work, even if they seemed harder than another class.

How did you become a career development professional?

I was a journalism and mass communications major with full intentions of working within public relations. What changed my path was an acquaintance in a student organization encouraging me to apply to be a peer career advisor, where I learned that I was truly more interested in career development than journalism.

Who is someone who impacted your career development?

I think the most influential person was a professor I had, Rich McCarty, who always stated his students were smarter than him. He really pushed me, personally and professionally that it was okay to get “off-track” and try something new, even if it wasn’t in my plan.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers 

How did you gain experience when you were a student?  

The summer after my sophomore year of college, I was hired to work in the Office of Student Financial Aid at my institution. I was able to learn so much about the financial aid process, and served as a peer counselor to help my fellow students understand the complexities of their aid packages and government regulations. As someone who has “learner” in their top strengths, being exposed to a new field and gaining in-depth knowledge of complex regulations was awesome. It was this position that ended up changing my career trajectory.

How did you become a career development professional? 

I was an English Education major in undergrad. For as long as I can remember, I had planned on becoming a high school English teacher, but when I accepted my role in the Office of Student Financial Aid and taught a class on financial literacy, I realized that I loved working in higher education and that certain roles in that field would give me the opportunity to still teach others. I decided to enroll in graduate school instead of working as a high school teacher. Because of my background in English, friends had been coming to me for years to help them with their resumes and cover letters, so when applying to graduate school, I sought out opportunities that would allow me to work in career services. My second year of graduate school, my assistantship was in the Career Services at CBA office (now the Business Career Center), and that experience solidified my desire to work in career services.

Who is someone who impacted your career development? 

The person who impacted my career development the most as a student was my supervisor at the Office of Student Financial Aid. She really helped me to explore other opportunities outside of high school education, and served as a friend and mentor through my time in the office and a reference when applying to graduate school. I know that I would not be working in career services now if she had not hired me for the peer counselor position.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

How did you gain experience when you were a student?

I worked in housing as a resident assistant for a few years and was involved in student government. I also started a student organization with other students to create community concerts!

How did you become a career development professional?

I majored in music performance! While it was fun and I still have a deep love of music, by the time I was a senior I knew that I didn’t want to pursue a career in music. I worked in housing for a few years after graduation, pursued my masters in counseling, and then transitioned into working as a career development professional.

Who is someone who impacted your career development?

I had several mentors who helped me follow my strengths and realize that I could do other things besides music! This is what encouraged me to get my master’s in counseling to be able to help others.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

How did you gain experience when you were a student?

I was a resident assistant for two years in college. This is one of the first positions where I began to realize my skills and applied them.

How did you become a career development professional?

I majored in Organizational Communication, a major I had no idea about when I started college and instantly grew to love. Before moving into career services, I spent a few years working in student involvement, specifically fraternity and sorority life. Some of my favorite moments were having conversations with student leaders around career plans, preparing for life after college, or how to develop and use skills in leadership positions. Working in career services blends several of my higher education passions together and makes for a rewarding experience.

Who is someone who impacted your career development?

I credit three influential people who lead me to work in higher education- my resident assistant supervisor, the director of admissions, and a professor (who now is a professor at UNL). My RA supervisor encouraged me to consider higher education as a profession as I explored options, and then spent countless hours helping me through the decision-making process and graduate school search. During my senior year, the director of admissions served as my mentor in a formal mentorship program which was an eye-opening experience to leadership in higher education. My professor took the time to get to know me through our valuable conversations in and out of the classroom, and still to this day is someone I look to as a role model.

Pronouns: He/Him/His

How did you gain experience when you were a student?

I got involved with organizations on campus and participated in annual events/competitions that the university hosted. I also arranged practicums in different offices to gain more experience in areas I wasn’t directly involved with from my GA position or classes. I also utilized campus resources to gain professional development and practice career preparation skills, such as interviewing.

How did you become a career development professional?

My undergrad major was Games and Animation with a certificate in entrepreneurship. After working as a designer in a temporary position, I realized I wanted to keep my creative skills as a hobby rather than profession. My mom worked in higher ed and recommended a College Student Personnel graduate program, which I applied for and was accepted with a GA position in the Career and Leadership Development Center, where I found my passion working in student affairs as a career coach.

Who is someone who impacted your career development?

My academic advisor, thesis advisor, director of studies, my professors, my colleagues, and my supervisors. Working with such supportive people helped me explore my interests, try new things, and pushed me to step outside of my comfort zone and take on new projects. Working with such passionate and knowledgeable people led me to where I am today, and I am extremely thankful for them all.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

How did you gain experience when you were a student?

I was involved in several on-campus activities and had internships at Archrival and the Lied Center for Performing Arts. I also had part-time jobs as a high school speech coach and gymnastics coach.

How did you become a career development professional?

I majored in advertising and loved it. However, after a year in the public affairs world, I realized that career path was not for me. I found my way back to college to work as a student affairs professional, where I realized that my interests, skills, and strengths were in coaching students one-on-one to explore and secure career opportunities.

Who is someone who impacted your career development?

My faculty advisor and an instructor for a leadership and service class were instrumental in helping me to explore career paths. I also credit my mother for helping me see that my true career passion was helping students.