My role at the Career Center

I am the Associate Director of the Career Center.  The current responsibilities that I focus on includes: the coordination of the university internship program, employer relations and staff supervision.  Additionally I have the opportunity to represent the office and university as the etiquette expert.

 

My career path

I was one of those college students who never changed their major.  I thought that I always wanted to be a coach, thus my undergraduate degree was a B.S. in Physical Education.  After three years of coaching and a master’s degree, I decided that working so many nights and travelling every weekend with gymnastic meets and barely able to financially support myself was not what I wanted to do forever.  My next career involved serving as an Executive Director of a non-profit agency that trained disadvantaged individuals for meaningful self supporting careers.  This was a great experience that taught me a lot about running a business, writing grants, career counseling, managing staff, working with budgets and operating within strict federal guidelines.  Alas the federal funding that supported the corporation changed with a new legislative leadership and the program ended nationwide.  Drat…I was successfully unemployed after having done a good job.

 

So after soul searching and deciding how I could incorporate my education and experience to reshape myself for a new career, I had the good fortune to go into medical product sales.  This was great and I was successful.  However, through a networking connection, a friend talked to the President of Elon University about me and asked me to meet with him about my previous experience.  As fate would have it, they made me an offer that I couldn’t refuse so I created the Career Center there and remained the Director for 10 years.  This was an awesome opportunity and proved to be vital in providing experience for me to move into the present position at UNCW where I have been for 10+ years. 

 

The rewards in doing what I do

I get the opportunity to coach students to realize the potential in themselves and their future career.  Former students often come back and thank me for helping them to reach their career potential.  I certainly wouldn’t have stayed in this business if I were not happy and successful. 

 

My words of wisdom to students

Hang tough even if you can’t see the end result.  Stay true to your goals and understand that a lot of hard work goes into being lucky and successful.

 

When I’m not on campus….

I am always having fun either exercising, “cruizin” on our boat, tending to my herb garden or playing with my pets and children.

 

Photo taken 2008