This month’s staff member in the spotlight is Rachel Gerber, Assistant Director in the Career Development Center. We asked her a series of questions, and here’s what she had to say (responses may have been edited for concision and clarity):
What is your name and what do you do; how long have you worked here in OVPUE?
Hi friends! I’m Rachel Gerber, a board certified career coach who works with University Division students to help them find a best-fit major, career path, create a professional resume and best professional communication/networking practices.
I also co-host Major Choices: a podcast about designing the career you want with my amazing CDC colleague, Nathan Langfittt. In essence, I love helping students uncover who they really are and lean into how that might play out in the world. I’ve been working for the Career Development Center for a little over 2.5 years.
What three traits define you?
- Positivity
- Achiever
- Connector
What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this?
The reality is, career coaching is an excellent vocational congruence for me. I’ve been a public school teacher (5th grade), residence director at two universities, author (Ordinary Miracles: Awakening to the Holy Work of Parenting)/blogger/speaker, and an ordained minister in the Mennonite Church USA. The common thread between all of these roles is an innate desire to help others and empower them to live their best lives. Setting all reality aside, I’d love to be the third co-host with Hoda & Jenna on the Today Show.
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
I would love to make really good mashed potatoes. (This feels like a personal failure for me as I hail from a well-established family of potato farmers/chip manufacturing in PA.)
What challenging thing has happened (to) for you, and what did you gain from it?
My mother-in-law was diagnosed with terminal cancer the same week that my husband and 3 month old son were in a horrible car accident in 2009. The difficult months that followed reinforced for me the power of community, the healing of love and how we truly need one another in life.
How do you define success?
Living at the intersection of my interests, talents, and the needs of the world.
What do you do in your spare time?
With three young boys, a dog, four backyard chickens and a husband who is the Director of the Spiritual Care Department at IU Health Bloomington (translate: crazy & unpredictable schedule), I don’t really have spare time. But if I did, I’d prefer to be alone. 🙂
What’s the coolest (or most important) trend you see today?
I see students who are deeply engaged and who want to contribute to making this world better, healthier, and more sustainable place. Their creativity, resilience, and flexibility continually astound and inspire me.
What is your favorite thing about working at OVPUE?
Hands down, the pay. Just kidding. People. Couldn’t ask for a better group to work with.
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