What was your major/minor/certificate?
For my undergraduate degree- major: psychology, minor: sociology; for my masters: education.
Why did you become a career coach?
I was working as an academic adviser. I knew I loved working with college students, but academic advising did not seem like the perfect fit. It felt more prescriptive than I wanted. A friend and mentor of mine suggested that I look into career coaching. She said, “It will allow you to use all of your skills, not just some of them.” I did some informational interviews with some of the directors in career services on campus. Those informational interviews allowed me to see that career coaching would be a great fit for me. One of those interviews was with Pat Donahue, the Executive Director of the CDC. A few weeks later, I was asked to apply for an opening at the CDC. I’ve been with the CDC three years now, and I love that I get to be creative when working with students, and that a big part of my job is seeing students’ potential and encouraging them to work toward their goals!
What is your favorite part of being a career coach?
Helping students learn more about who they are and helping them explore the world of work; seeing them realize that their dreams and passions can become their future. Also for that student who has so much to offer, but they don’t see it, helping them see that who they are is not only enough, but actually really valuable.
Why should students come in for career coaching?
It’s about so much more than find a job after college. It’s about learning who you are, your potential value in the world, and how to start now, your first year at IU, learning about the ways you can grow and develop through opportunities and experiences, so you can develop your own personal brand.
Fun fact about you
I am part of a dance group called the “40overs.” We are all over 40 years of age, and we do hip hop. I have always loved dancing, so it is awesome to get to perform again at this point in my life. I love the comradery of being with others who value doing the unexpected and breaking stereotypes of what it means to get older.