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“Coming together is the beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” This quote by Henry Ford is one of my favorite and embodies my experience in Atlanta at the conference. I was able to strengthen existing relationships and form new ones.
My love for career services began as a student employee in the department during my final year of graduate school. I am excited to be in the career services profession and grateful to be a part of the SoACE network. Participating in professional development opportunities awakens my passion and challenges me to think outside the box! My experience at the 2018 SoACE Conference this past December did just that.
I value making contributions to young adults’ development and cultivating collaborative relationships among individuals. I have been able to do just this through my roles in career services. For the past three years, my role(s) within career services has focused on employer relations. Attending the annual conference, allowed me the opportunity to broaden my knowledge in other areas, including leadership, coaching, and administration. I thoroughly enjoyed the breakout sessions and networking with colleagues. Oh, and let’s not forget about the food, it was awesome!
SoACE is a strong and influential regional association that connects colleagues who share my passion. I thank the Professional Development and Scholarship committee for this opportunity. If you are not actively involved in the organization, I encourage you to make connections and grow professionally. If you need assistance with funding for professional development, please consider applying for the scholarships and research fellowships available within the association. I will forever be grateful for this opportunity.
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Dia Buchanan enjoys employer engagement and fostering collaborative relationships among employers, university representatives and students. She has 6 years of experience, exclusively focused in higher education administration with an emphasis on recruitment and relationship building. Her work has encompassed many aspects of student development, ranging from college admissions counseling to job search and career exploration advising. This experience has been obtained through undergraduate admissions and career services. Dia currently serves as Assistant Director of Employer Services in the Career Center at the University of Mississippi.
Dia holds a M. Ed in Higher Education Administration and a B.S. in Psychology from Middle Tennessee State University. Her credentials include Global Career Development Facilitation and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Certification. She presently serves within SoACE as Chair of the Employer Relations Summit and Program Coordinator – In Person Networking for the Employer Relations Knowledge Group (ERKG). Connect with her on LinkedIn for collaboration.
