Where did you grow up? Where did you go to college and what did you major in?
I’m a Kentucky transplant. I was born and raised in Knoxville, TN and attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) for undergrad. I was (am) a First-Generation college student, like many here at Gatton. My primary goal was attending college, but I had no idea what I wanted to do or how to do it successfully after I arrived. I declared Psychology as my major, primarily because I did well in my Intro to Psych class. At that point, I thought the goal was a degree, any degree, and job stability would find me on the other side of graduation. As I entered senior year, I realized how unclear my path was and how limited my job options were without additional education.
After school and a few job roles in the mental health and social service space, I attended the University of Tennessee Knoxville (UT) and completed a Masters in Mental Health Counseling. I wanted to be a therapist, ideally in a college setting, and I wanted a change of scenery. I relocated to Louisville, KY and began working towards my mental health professional goals but eventually had to realize and reconcile that wasn’t the right path for me. This was hard after spending so much time and money on a specific path. It was my own career exploration process and struggle to find work I enjoyed that led me to career counseling.
Tell us about your journey to Gatton and, specifically, the Graham Office.
I began contacting Career Counselors in the Louisville area, learning about their professional organizations, and identifying what credentials I needed to make that transition. After around a year and a half of education, networking, and applications, I landed the role here in the Graham Office. The relocation was a sacrifice but the role, the people, and opportunities in this office have been a blessing.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Most rewarding has been the opportunity to support students through challenges I’ve lived; to listen and advise from a place of experience. The Graham Office is a small team, but we impact countless students each semester, connecting in 1:1 appointments, in the classroom, and through large scale events. It’s hard work, and it’s also incredibly rewarding to see students building confidence, engaging in professional development, and receiving offers. The right role can truly be life changing.
You recently helped organize the Gatton Fashion Show. Tell us about that process and the value that it brings to the student experience.
Our recent fashion show, First Impressions, was inspired by a love of personal style and self-expression through clothing. Every year, we see students attend career fairs and other networking events under or inappropriately dressed. “What should I wear?” is a common question during 1:1 appointments in recruitment season. Our primary goal was to educate students on the importance of dress when communicating their personal brand. The reality is, job candidates will also be assessed for professionalism and preparation based on what they have on.
We began planning for the show last summer, identifying partner organizations and thinking through all the elements needed to ensure it felt like a real fashion show. Ultimately, we pulled it off! The show featured a live DJ and emcee, educational segments on makeup and accessories filmed by our MarCom Department, an incredible amount of behind-the-scenes work facilitated by our IT and Events team, and of course multiple fabulous looks worn by our student models. It was honestly a Gatton-wide effort. I’m most proud of our ability to provide clothing scholarships to 10 student attendees to enhance their professional wardrobe. None of that would have been possible without our employer partner Forvis Marzars and our retail partner Dillards.
How can Gatton alumni help the Graham Office of Career Management best help students leverage their talents and resources to be successful in their professional lives after graduation?
There are several ways Gatton alum can support current students. Our large-scale events like First Impressions require financial support to produce a quality experience and we host multiple career exposure and readiness events throughout the year. Donating your time is another powerful way alumni can support the Graham office. Every day I speak with students who are looking to clarify their career path and connect with individuals doing the things they desire to do post grad. Partnering with Graham as a classroom presenter, a panel speaker, or a mentor program participant can be incredibly impactful. Even simply making yourself available for an informational interview with a freshman who is practicing their networking skills would be much appreciated. You can reach out to our Director Mandy Connelly at Mandy.Connelly@uky.edu , our Employer Relations Manager Hayley Hollenberg at Hayley.Hollenberg@uky.edu, or myself, the Assistant Director of Career Readiness at Raven.Gibson@uky.edu for additional ways to partner.
