My role at the Career Center

As an Assistant Director in the Career Center, I work primarily with students majoring in education (K-12), athletic training, physical education-exercise science, therapeutic recreation, and parks & recreation management.  I'm also the liaison to the Isaac Bear Early College program, co-coordinate the Minority Mentor Program, and organize the Education Job Fair each semester.  Additionally, I have the opportunity to represent the department and Division of Student Affairs as the co-chair of the UNCW Sustainability Committee, which involves education of sustainability to staff, students and faculty.

My career path

Going back to my elementary school days, I always knew I wanted to be a chorus teacher and I was living that dream all the way through my senior year in college.  Suddenly I found myself in unfamiliar territory of not knowing what to do due to unforeseen circumstances.  I knew I didn't want to teach music anymore, and had to make a quick decision, and since history was my minor, I switched it to my major and took an additional year to graduate with my bachelor's degree.  During my college years, I was very involved in the music department and with other campus activities but still didn't know what to do after college.  Some of my music friends and I started a music group and we sang "professionally" for two years. 

As that came to an end, it was time to make another major decision - a real full time job or graduate school.  I chose graduate school and decided to go into College Student Personnel because of my involvement in college and influences from a special mentor of mine.  My friend and I searched several graduate school programs and decided upon the CSP program at Minnesota State University, Mankato.  There was one graduate assistantship left and it was in the Career Planning and Placement Center.  I was offered the job and of course accepted it.  Since that time, I worked as an Adult Educator in the TRIO Program Education Talent Search at Minnesota State University Mankato, as a career counselor at the Computer Learning Center in downtown Chicago, as the JLD Coordinator in Career Planning & Placement at Northern Illinois University, and finally as a career counselor here at UNCW. I started at UNCW in 1998 and this is the longest I've ever stayed in a job.

The rewards in doing what I do

I love the personal connections that I get to make with students and the knowledge that I’ve truly made a difference in their job and/or career search.  Working on a college campus keeps me feeling young at heart and in tune with current trends.  Many people don't see career services as educational, but it is and it's very rewarding seeing our students go out into the work place and make UNCW proud.  I like to think we have a role in that - teaching students how to write resumes, job search, and interview is very rewarding, especially when the students succeed after they leave UNCW.

My words of wisdom to students

Follow your dreams and stick to them even when times get rough or challenging.  Take risks and take control of your own decisions.  When in doubt, ask questions - get guidance - but stay true to yourself. 

When I’m not on campus….

I am spending time with my family and friends and volunteering in my son's Cub Scout Pack.  I am married, about to celebrate my 10th wedding anniversary, and have 2 boys, ages 9 and 5.  They definitely keep me busy and entertained.  I love going to the beach, hanging out downtown, watching movies, playing bunco (well, socializing with girlfriends), and doing Pilates.