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Jessica Campbell serves as Director, Corporate and Employer Relations at the Rice Business Career Development Office. Jessica has been at Rice University since 2011, and previously led the employer relations team at the Rice University Center for Career Development, before transitioning into the MBA career center in 2019. Prior to Rice, Jessica worked in career services at the University of Houston and at a non-profit.
Jessica has been an active member of SoACE since 2007, having served on various committees and chairing Employer Relations Knowledge Group and New Members Committee. Jessica is currently serving on the Conference Committee. She’s also been actively involved in HACCC (Houston Area Consortium of Career Centers), where she previously served as President, Secretary, Texas Job Fair Chair and Professional Development Chair. Jessica holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Houston.
How did you get into the Career Services profession?
Planned happenstance! I visited career services during my time at the University of Houston and thought it was something I could see myself doing, even though I had no idea of the breadth of resources available to me at my career center at the time. I started my career after college in hotel sales and marketing, but after a few years, pivoted to try to get experience that would allow me to work in career services at a university. I joined a nonprofit as an Employment Counselor, which then allowed me to get my foot in the door in career services when an employer relations position opened up at my alma mater. I really thought I wanted to be an advisor/counselor, but ended up falling in love with the employer relations side of things.
Describe your SoACE Experience. How did you get involved and how has that experience influenced you?
I first got involved in SoACE by volunteering for several years, and eventually chairing, the New Members Committee, where we planned the New Member Orientation at the conference. I also got involved in the Employer Relations Knowledge Group leadership team for several years, and also eventually chaired that KG, which was incredibly rewarding. I am currently chairing Local Arrangements on the Conference Committee, which is a ton of fun and includes helping plan the President’s Reception, physical activities, philanthropy, and the big evening event at the conference. I feel so grateful that I’ve been able to be involved in SoACE since the beginning of my time in career services in 2007. I always say that it is one of the best things I did as a new professional in the field. Going to the SoACE conference every year is like attending a family or class reunion. It’s amazing to have a network of professionals to lean on and learn from, who are also in the trenches and going through similar challenges.
What advice do you have for new professionals who aspire to get more involved in the profession?
Get involved!!! Join a KG and/or a committee, volunteer at the conference, submit a proposal to present at the conference, etc. It really is the best thing you can do to start to build your network and get to know people. Take advantage of the many resources and people available to you through SoACE and other professional organizations. There are a ton of great webinars and conference sessions and so many opportunities to learn from your peers!
What is your favorite quote?
It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. —Aristotle
What has been your greatest accomplishment to date?
My greatest professional accomplishment to date has been creating an externship program for Rice undergraduates. I attended a roundtable discussion at the Chantilly, VA SoACE Conference (infamously known as SnoACE) that sparked this idea. I am kicking myself for not remembering who facilitated that discussion, as I would love to give them a shout out. We partnered with alumni affairs on this program and thought that if we had 25 students participate in the pilot, we would consider it a success. We ended up with 125+ students the first year and the program has continued to grow, so much so that we were able to create a new position to run the program. I’m so proud of the impact that this program has on students who are exploring career paths and completely in awe of where the incredible team at the Rice Center for Career Development (and especially Michelle Passo, who oversees the program) have this program. It’s so rewarding to know that this program is still going on, stronger than ever!
What are some of your hobbies when not working?
When I’m not working, I’m hanging out with our three dogs, watching sports (or reality tv) and cheering on the Rockets, Texans and Astros. My mom and her friends are also teaching me how to quilt, and I really enjoy attending the International Quilt Festival and various quilting retreats with them throughout the year. I can’t wait to create a t-shirt quilt with my incredible collection of Rice Career & Internship Expo t-shirts!
