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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.
