Spotlights

Member Spotlights

Member Spotlight: Laura Kalb

September 13, 2019 by 0 Comments

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.

KG Spotlights - Spotlights

Member Spotlight: Wesley Dickens

August 2, 2019 by 0 Comments

Wesley Dickens photo

Wesley Dickens is the Assistant Director of Experiential Education and an instructor at The University of Mississippi School of Business Administration. He earned his Master of Arts in Higher Education/Student Personnel from The University of Mississippi School of Education, and is currently pursuing his Master of Business Administration from The University of Mississippi School of Business. In his role in the School of Business, Wesley coordinates the academic credit internship program and works with business students as they prepare for professional and academic opportunities. He also teaches two sections of business communication. Aside from his duties in the business school, he is an advisor to Golden Key International Honour Society and a mentor for the Ole Miss Women’s Council for Philanthropy.

Wesley is also actively involved in national, regional, and state organizations. He has served as President of the Mississippi Association of Colleges and Employers, and currently serves as Chair of the Experiential Education Knowledge Group in the Southern Association of Colleges and Employers. He is passionate about student success and enjoys working with students in their career and professional development.
Wesley resides in Oxford with his wife, Janet, and two dogs, Jackson and Lady.

You can connect with Wesley on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesleydickens/

How did you get into the Career Services profession?

My undergraduate degree is in K-12 Education, and I taught high school algebra for 2 years right after college.  However, I soon realized that wasn’t the right fit for me but really didn’t know which direction to go in my career.  My friends and family encouraged me to go see a career advisor, and it was during that meeting I had my “Eureka” moment.  I asked the career advisor, “How can I do what you do?”  She told me about various graduate degrees, and I knew then and there that that’s what I wanted to do.

I resigned my position at the high school and moved 300 miles away to attend the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) to pursue a MA in Higher Education.  I did not have a job lined up, but I had faith it would all work out.  And it just so happened, the week I moved to Oxford, a graduate assistantship position opened up in the Career Center.  I applied, interviewed, and was hired!  And as they say, the rest is history.  I spent 5 years as both a GA and full-time staff member in the Career Center until 2016, when I transitioned to a position coordinating the internship program for the Ole Miss Business School.

Describe your SoACE Experience. How did you get involved and how has that experience influenced you?

My mentors in Career Services encouraged professional development, so I naturally joined all the ACEs (NACE, SoACE, Mississippi (MACE)) and even held state leadership positions in MACE. When I transitioned to my role in the Ole Miss Business School, I was completely new to internships and experiential learning, and the position I was filling was brand new.  So, I was building a program from scratch and really looked for support as I embarked on this new journey.

That’s when I began to seek out additional professional development through the SoACE Knowledge Groups.  I attended the Experiential Education Knowledge Group (EEKG) meeting at the 2016 SoACE conference and was hooked.  Everyone at the meeting was so welcoming and helpful, and willing to share resources and professional guidance.

I didn’t consider myself a thought leader (still do not), but I wanted to be more involved in the KG, so I volunteered to help with programming and have been a member of the EEKG leadership team ever since.  During this time, my EEKG friends, along with other KG leaders and members, have been such a tremendous help to me professionally. They have literally served as the professional foundation to my current position and continue to inspire me to grow and think outside of my institution.

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

Don’t let lack of experience discourage you from getting involved.  You don’t have to be an expert to be a leader; all it takes is a willingness to serve. And if you are looking for a place to get more involved, the SoACE Knowledge Groups offer wonderful opportunities to connect with other members and contribute to your content area.

What is a unique fact about you?

My wife is a certified Disney enthusiast, and by default, that means I am too.  We average 3 trips to Orlando each year.  Our favorite place to stay is the Yacht and Beach Club and favorite park is Epcot.

What keeps you motivated?

The students keep me motivated.  In the midst of a hectic academic year, it can be easy to lose sight of why we are in this profession.  However, when a student is successful, and you know you played some part in it, things quickly come back into perspective.  They are the reason why I began my career in education and why I continue to work to be a better professional.

What are some of your hobbies when not working?

I love to golf (albeit poorly), attend sporting events, and travel with my wife.

Member Spotlights

Member Spotlight: Abdullah Kader

July 5, 2019 by 0 Comments

Abdullah is a senior career advisor at Texas A&M University. With a calling for service and deeply ingrained passion for working with people, Abdullah currently serves the graduate students in the College of Engineering transforming Aggie engineers into world-class communication and leadership ninjas. His expertise lies in empowering the students to be the best they can be and providing them with lifelong learning. Besides his advising role, Abdullah also leads a Technology committee that has purchased, customized and implemented 4 new technologies in the last two years. He also leads several other initiatives relating to revamping the website, publishing FDS data dashboards and creating animated content.

Abdullah holds a Bachelors in Electrical Engineering from Anna University in India, Masters in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M and is currently working on a Masters in Computer Science, also at Texas A&M.

You can connect with him on LinkedIn @ https://www.linkedin.com/in/akader16/

How did you get into the Career Services profession?

I got into the profession by chance. It all began when I attended a Career Center presentation during my new international student conference in 2014. I enjoyed the presentation and walked up to the speaker and asked “Is there any way I can volunteer and get more involved with the Career Center?”. I spent the next  2 years during my masters, supporting Career Center programs, events, leading presentations as a student leader on campus. But even during these 2 years I never once thought I would be a Career services professional. Post-graduation, I went to work for an HVAC company as a Software Controls Engineer and one day I received a phone call from my friend who is now the director at the Texas A&M Career Center about a job opportunity. Three months later, I started as a career advisor for Masters students in engineering and I am glad I made the right choice. Now, I am living the dream in god’s country serving the graduate students in engineering at Texas A&M University for the last two and a half years.

Describe your SoACE Experience. How did you get involved and how has that experience influenced you?

My first involvement with SoACE was through the webinars I attended. I found them to be extremely resourceful as I stepped into my new role in career services. When I attended the technology boot camp, the topics resonated well with me due to my technical background. It led me to getting more involved and taking up leadership roles within SoACE. I have been able to meet a lot of great people, build relationships and network with experienced career professionals. SoACE is definitely my favorite organization especially due to its friendly and supportive environment.

My first role was as the Chair of the Tech committee within Marketing and Communications. Being involved in this role gave me a sense of ownership and belonging. It was no longer an organization where I just attend an annual conference. It has been incredibly rewarding for me to be involved with SoACE. I currently serve as the Chair for Assessment and Data Analytics KG.

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

Learn to balance how to meet every day expectation while building long term solutions. It is easy to be overwhelmed by the number of 1:1 meetings, walk-ins, email etc. Identify parts of your job you can automate, deliver online, etc.

Embrace technology and be an early adapter. The ratio of Career Advisor vs. students is upwards of 1:3000 in many institutions. Technology could help bridge some of the gap.

You can’t pour out of an empty cup. This is something I learned recently from a Psychologist at a recent conference. As service professionals we put the other’s needs over our needs. So don’t forget to focus on your health and wellness. Because you can’t pour out of an empty cup!

What is your favorite quote?

I have several. One that really relates to Career Services : “If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.” – Booker T. Washington

What is a unique fact about you?

I was born in Bahrain and later moved to India with my parents, got my undergraduate degree in India and moved to the United States as an international student in Fall 2014 for a master’s in electrical engineering. I have lived in Texas since and I am working towards my second master’s in computer science.

What keeps you motivated?

The opportunity to have a meaningful impact, building creative solutions and working on challenging projects.

What are some of your hobbies when not working?

Reading, traveling and learning new languages. I read all kinds of books however a majority of the books I have read are non-fiction, biographies and historical. I have been learning Spanish and Russian for the past two years.