Member Spotlights

Ralph Leal, SPHR, is the Associate Director for Texas State University Career Services. As Associate Director, he oversees marketing, employer relations and outreach, and operations for the centralized office serving over 38,000 students. Ralph has been a human resources professional for over 20 years in a variety of industries.  He holds a master’s degree in Healthcare Human Resources as well as a bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration from Texas State University.

How did you get into the Career Services profession?

I got into the Career Services profession by being hired by Norma Guerra Gaier when she was at my alma mater Texas State University. Norma and I had known each other when she was at St. Mary’s University and I was at Southwest Research Institute both in San Antonio, Texas. My background had been in healthcare operations and human resources, but I always enjoyed visiting college campuses and talking with students about careers at Southwest Research Institute. As I found out more about the field of Career Services, the more I wanted to find a way in. The Associate Director position at Texas State University opened in mid-2012, I applied and found myself in the world of higher education in March 2013.

Describe your SoACE Experience. How did you get involved and how has that experience influenced you? (feel free to elaborate on your current role or past roles)

My first involvement with SoACE was at the 2014 annual conference in New Orleans. I took everything I could in by filling up my concurrent session schedule, sitting next to new people at meals, and getting to know my Texas State colleagues better on Bourbon Street. I attended two different national association conferences prior the this event and appreciated the openness and how quickly I felt at ease with the membership. My first SoACE role was co-chair of Local Arrangements at the 2017 annual conference in San Antonio and was fortunate enough to work with an amazing conference planning team. Since then I have been a part of two other conference planning teams which have meant the world to me. I also facilitated the conference consulting program in 2018. In 2020, I will serve as the Conference Planning Chair and plan to call in a lot of favors that year.

What advice do you have for new professionals who aspire to get more involved in the profession?

If you are starting out in the field and wish to get more involved I would start with what is around you first. Our local consortium of 13 schools was a great place for me to start. I learned a lot about my neighboring schools and made great connections with delightful people outside of my school. Texas is a big state and have three active consortiums with leadership opportunities in each one of them. Those consortiums are a great starting place to learn more about the field of Career Services. If your state has an active association, I would strive to find opportunities on how to connect within that organization first. The NACE Management Leadership Institute was a game changer for me, but this might take a little more time in the field to gain your employer’s support to attend the week long event.

What is your favorite quote?

One of previous bosses, Tony Magaro, recently shared a saying his dad told him and I heard it at the perfect time in my life – “..as long as we remain true to ourselves, we will prevail.”

What keeps you motivated?

At a recent staff retreat, I heard the concept of Positive Discontent and it brought together how I have approached my career and work better than I could have said it. Stay positive about what you have done, but don’t rest on your laurels. We should strive to make tomorrow better than today.

What are some hobbies when not working?

I am bad at golf, but I love playing it. Volunteering in my home town whether it be at my boys’ schools, refereeing youth basketball games or working at wine and beer festival fundraisers in our local community.

You can connect with Ralph on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralphleal/

Laura serves as one of the Assistant Directors in the Office of Career Services at Trinity University, working with faculty, staff, students, employers, and community partners to identify and serve student needs as they move towards their academic and professional futures. She primarily serves the STEM academic areas for coaching and advising while assisting with Center data and assessment initiatives. As an alumna of Trinity, Laura is committed to helping students discover their individual passions and pursue opportunities for career and professional success. She sees her work as coordinating people; she does everything from helping students secure post-graduation plans to coaching professionals on how to use new technologies.

She has a Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Vanderbilt Peabody College of Education and is a Gallup-Certified Strengths coach. To bridge her interests in technology, data, and leadership, Laura serves the Chair of the Technology Knowledge Group for the Southern Association of Colleges and Employers. She serves as the alumna advisor for her social sorority, Zeta Chi, and she is the Leadership Academy Chair for the Junior League of San Antonio.

You can connect with Laura on LinkedIn and Twitter.

How did you get into the Career Services profession?

During graduate school, I took a Career Counseling course and wanted to learn more about the advising and research aspects of the profession. I was lucky enough to secure a practicum in Career Services at Nashville State Community College and then a graduate assistant position in the Office of Career & Professional Development at Belmont University.

Through those experiences and mentors, I realized that I could carry out my purpose of pouring into others so that they could go out and make the change that they want to see in our world in the career services profession.

Describe your SoACE Experience. How did you get involved and how has that experience influenced you? (feel free to elaborate on your current role or past roles)

I learned about SoACE through TACE while I was a graduate student. I jumped into my SoACE experience at the 2016 Annual Conference. I was not sure which Knowledge Group (KG) meeting to attend and one of my colleagues encouraged me to try something out that interested me, but that I had no experience in. I walked into the Technology KG meeting and the rest is SoACE history.

Since that first meeting, I have learned an incredible amount about technology in both career services and higher education. I served as the Assistant Chair for the KG and currently serve as its Chair. These wonderful leadership experiences help me carry out my passion and make me a better professional and person. By being a member of SoACE and the Technology KG, I have shaped my career interests and path through the skills and knowledge I gained.

I have also gained an amazing group of colleagues across the entire SoACE organization that I inspire me, support me, give me great questions to mull, and provide great ideas to tackle the challenges of our profession.

What advice do you have for new professionals who aspire to get more involved in the profession?

First, look for people in our profession that are doing things that excite you and ask them to chat about that project and their career. Those individuals may have been in the profession for two years or 18 years, but engaging with topics that excite can serve as a well of inspiration.

Second, set goals for your own professional development in the profession and find an accountability partner for the journey. While doing the work we love all the time is great, do not forget to take some time for yourself and the other areas of your life outside of both your work goals and personal professional development goals.

Third, find a Knowledge Group (KG) that interests you or will help you build knowledge in our profession. Then, ask the KG Chair how you can get involved. And, finally, join the SoACE Slack community! Join one channel. Join all of the channels! It is a great place to find information, conduct informal benchmarking, and connect with incredible people in our profession.

What is your favorite quote?

“This too shall pass.” While it has many beginnings and attributes, my father’s voice always rings true when I think about this quote. It serves as my reminder to remain resilient in challenging times.

What has been your greatest accomplishment to date?

My greatest accomplishment to date is making the leadership and membership of the Technology KG laugh, whether they are truly laughing or laughing out of southern politeness. It is such an honor to be trusted as their KG leader and to have the opportunity to build relationships with them while advocating for what they need in the professional development arena.

What are some of your hobbies when not working?

My hobbies include cooking (there is nothing better than making a great meal for family and friends); taking my dog, Jasper, to the dog park; trying new restaurants with friends (San Antonio restaurant week is a staple in my life); watching any of the movies in the Fast and Furious series; and learning more about CliftonStrengths and Gallup.