Career Coaches

What do you do? 

I am a career coach.  My goal is to provide life-long career skills for students to be successful in obtaining their first job and many more.

Why do you do it? 

I enjoy helping others be successful.  It is so refreshing to work with the Kelley School of Business students and make an impact on their professional growth.  It is also fun to learn from them as well.

How I got here?

I joined Cummins after completing a degree in Finance from Kelley and quickly got involved with recruiting new finance talent (Undergraduates and MBA’s).  Quickly, I volunteered to lead University Finance recruiting along with my other responsibilities.   After almost 20 years and lots of International travel, I wanted more time to watch my daughter grow up.  As I reflected on my career, I realized what I loved to do was to coach others.  I really enjoyed campus recruiting, so I contacted the Kelley School of Business Career Services Director and joined the team.

What have you learned during your career? 

You don’t have to have a 4.0 nor a 3.5 GPA to be successful.  You need to understand your strengths, continuously learn and challenge yourself.  If you are not challenged you are not growing and developing yourself.  If you have developed strong relationships then opportunities will come to you that others will never know about.

What do you do away from work?

I look forward to spending time with my family which includes my husband (a Kelley grad), my daughter (IU grad), son-in-law (IU grad), my grandson and granddaughter.  I enjoy shopping, cooking, reading, fly fishing, traveling, and I’m an IU basketball enthusiast.

I strongly believe…

…a positive attitude makes a big difference.  Ability is what you’re capable of doing.  Motivation determines what you do.  Attitude determines how well you do it.

I wish…

I could travel to every national park, exercise more and see IU Basketball hang another banner.

What do you do?

I’m so excited to wear two specific hats in our Office. I’m a career coach—meet with Kelley undergraduate students to successfully explore potential internship positions and career paths, also, as the Associate Director of Student Services, I have the privilege to collaborate with our internal team, as well as with other Kelley departments and IU-wide, and manage our Tech/Social Media team to strategize and present career-related sessions and workshops for our growing Kelley undergraduate student population.

Why do you do it?

My reasons are simple—empathy and positive impact through intercultural competence. I empathize with those who may be struggling to find their meaningful career calling for various reasons, and I’ve found joy in helping those who turn jobs into meaningful careers. Having lived and worked in diverse environments, I value creating positive impacts through intercultural competence—the ability to comfortably and properly navigate, be aware of, and appreciate various cultures and peoples. In this globalized world, whatever industry you’re in or position you hold, intercultural competence matters and is esteemed.

How I got here.

Born in South Korea and have lived all of my formative years on the U.S. Territory island of Saipan (Never heard of it? Google it. It’s in the heart of the Pacific Ocean, by Guam), I graduated from IU back in 2009 (BA in Journalism). My first job was in PR/communications at an international development firm in Washington, D.C. Initially, my heart was set on spreading my wings as a broadcast journalist, so I made the bold move to Seoul, South Korea, to work as an English journalist. There, I worked as a news anchor and field reporter, as well as a business communications consultant for various global companies. These worthwhile experiences opened my eyes to the world of business and the importance of intercultural competence (or the lack there of)—leading me to obtain two Masters in international development and cooperation and international communication. I had an amazing graduate assistantship at American University’s Kogod School of Business, coaching and assisting undergraduate business students, and it was then when I knew I wanted to work with students to reach their optimum potential in life and career. Where else would I do this but at my beloved alma mater?

What have you learned during your career?

Two things—challenge yourself to step out of your “comfort zone” and make those connections and long-lasting relationships. “What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger” and “It’s not always about what you know, but it’s almost always about WHO you know.” I wholeheartedly agree—I’ve seen it, lived (living) it, and believe it. So go out there, expand your horizons and limits and see yourself grow and succeed.

What do you do away from work?

My husband and I are first-time parents to our sweet toddler boy who is our world! Any time we’re not working, we spend as much quality family time together, because he is growing up so fast! Pre-pandemic and pre-baby, we loved traveling—short and long road trips and international excursions. For now, we’ve opted for short trips to playgrounds, libraries, parks, and occasional road trips.

I strongly believe…

Our world will become a better, happier place if we all care, give, love, and understand a little more.

I wish…

I could be better at gardening and live to travel all around the world.

What do you do?

As a member of the UCSO Student Service Team I work diligently and honestly to help students develop their talents and succeed in their Internship and Full Time Job search endeavors.  I want my students to develop their “portfolio” of excellent Resume, Job Search, Interview Skills and the have the ability to tell great stories to demonstrate that they bring unique experiences and talent to secure that ideal internship or full time job.

Why do you do it?

Very selfish reasons!  I absolutely love to see my Kelley students get that job offer from their “dream job”.  Kelley has been very good to me!  I see it as “paying it forward” My wife and I are both Kelley Grads and we both work at Kelley.  My passion for business started here.

How I got here?

After retiring early from my Business, I was not ready to “ride off into the sunset”.  I was asked to share my experiences with Kelley students, discovered Career Services and here I am.

What have you learned during your career?

#1 – Trust is earned!  #2 – Perseverance is omnipotent… never give up!

What do you do away from work?

Music is my true passion! I have been a musician since I was about 10 years old.  I love all genres… from Bluegrass to Bach: Americana to Alternative.  In addition, I love to spend time and just hang out with my family, especially my Grandkids.

I strongly believe…

To be complete, especially in business, you must have a global mindset.  Learn and experience new cultures…learn at least one other language….travel, eat, dance.

What do you do?

As an Associate Director, I lead our first year student initiatives. I also work as a career coach at the Undergraduate Career Services Office. As a coach, I help Kelley undergraduate students with resumes, job and internship search, career exploration, and career fair and interview preparation.

Why do you do it?

I work as a coach because I have a passion for working with students and helping them achieve their goals.

How I got here?

I worked in Chicago both in public accounting and industry for four years before making the move to join the Undergraduate Career Services Office. I decided to leave accounting because I wanted to pursue my passion of working with students and helping them reach their potential. My interest in working with students began at IU where I volunteered as an English as a Second Language Tutor and co – founded various Kelley student organizations such as the Emerging Markets Club whose mission was to help students connect with alumni in emerging markets. I also enjoyed volunteering with youth organizations in Chicago such as the Chicago Scholars Foundation, an organization where young professionals help first generation college students complete their college applications and essays.

What have you learned during your career?

I learned that doing work that you deeply care about will lead to fulfillment.

What do you do away from work?

I love listening to podcasts and audiobooks related to business, education psychology, and tech, trying new coffee shops, and riding my bicycle.

I strongly believe…

…that everyone has a strength that he or she should offer to the world. Those who use their strengths will thrive.

I wish…

I wish Bloomington had a Freshii restaurant. I used to go to Freshii all the time while working in Chicago and fell in love with the healthy, fast casual concept.

What Do You Do?

I support students in exploring career options, and help them develop strategies and skills to succeed with their career goals. I also develop resources to support both international and domestic students with global career opportunities.

Why Do You Do It?

Because our students should be aware of their options and opportunities. Our world is a global village after all, and even if having an international career isn’t someone’s main goal, having international work experience is often helpful in their career advancement.

How Did You Get Here?

I got here by being true to myself, along with gaining continuous education, keeping my options open, and taking on positions that inspired and challenged me at the same time. My work began in my home country of Macedonia, where I received my law degree, but then went to work in international development. Yet I also interned, studied, and spent time working in Finland, Poland, the US, and the UK—from where my family and I moved to the US a decade ago. My student affairs career then began at IU, where I transfer best practices and guidance to our students and let them excel in their goals.

What Have You Learned During Your Career?

To keep your options and ears open. In this dynamic climate, there is always a place for someone with the right skills, adaptability and willingness to learn, and sense of adventure.

What Do You Do Away From Work?

In my free time, I cherish time with my family, travel near and far, and bake – European breads & pastries, in particular.

I Strongly Believe…

…that with determination, hard work, and a good network – everything is achievable!

What Do You Do?

I prepare and coach Kelley Students in all aspects of their job/internship search from strengthening resumes, to preparing for interviews to accepting/declining job offers and everything in between. Sometimes just listening and acting as a sounding board for students as they work through their search and decisions.

How Did You Get Here?

I came to be a career coach at UCS after 17 years as medical management consultant. I located and recruited physicians out of training and during their professional careers for hospital corporations, small hospital systems, multi-specialty groups and private practices all over the US. I particularly enjoyed working with your physicians completing their residency or fellowship and helping them get their first professional assignment after training. Educating the physicians on the overall physician market, assisting them in determining which job offer was the best for them and their families was very rewarding. I have also worked in marketing for a chemical distribution company, as a professional show horse trainer, a professional opera singer and a public relations/communications manager for an international biotech research lab and a private PR firm. My wide ranging professional career has taught me that there are many ways to have a career. All things are possible.

What Do You Do Away From Work?

I play competitive league tennis almost every day of the year, and ballroom dance with my wife, Beth. We have two sons, Will and Christopher. My son Will, graduated with a Master of Finance from the Kelley School and now works as a consultant in Chicago. My younger son, Christopher, attends Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX.

I Strongly Believe…

…that working with the Indiana Kelley Students is my favorite job ever!

What do you do?

I lead the exceptional team of coaching experts here at the UCSO to ensure our students are receiving the programming and coaching they need to succeed in their job searches.

Why do you do it?

I love developing talent and I love having a positive impact on peoples’ careers.  In this role I have the opportunity to do both.

How I got here.

The real question should be how I got back here.  Lots of planning and staying focused on what you love.  After starting my career in public accounting I quickly learned that I truly enjoyed coaching and developing talent.  That brought me back to the Kelley School in the early 2000s when I worked with the Graduate Career Services team.  Our first corporate move relocated us to Atlanta where I stayed in academia working with students at Emory University.  After another corporate relocation, to Charlotte, I transitioned into agency then corporate executive recruiting all within Financial services. This summer when my husband and I continued our discussions about our dream jobs all indicators pointed us back to IU and the time was right.  Where else would I be able to develop the talents of a team and help students launch their careers while enjoying all that Bloomington has to offer… did I mention IU basketball?

What have you learned during your career?

Relationships matter! Every connection is an opportunity to either advance or hinder your prospects. The choice is yours.

What do you do away from work?

Away from work my family keeps me busy.  My husband and I love to hike, kayak, bike and watch IU sports with our 6 year old daughter. You may also see me on an early morning campus run getting the energy out of our crazy bird dog, Bella.

I strongly believe…

…hope is not a strategy.  If you want something go get it.

I wish…

…to enjoy the small moments, every day, not just the big occasions.

What do you do?

I am a Career Coach. This allows me the awesome experience of interacting with the Kelley student population. What could be better than that?

Why do you do it?

I enjoy helping people. The most rewarding thing is helping someone make decisions and see them achieve their goals.  I enjoy being a valued part of a team that has significant impact. My experience in multiple areas gives me a good understanding of the issues facing, finance, marketing, sales and other commercial areas. At AZ, I was known as the “plumber” because they tended to drop me into areas to fix problems.

How I got here?

Wow, this is wild to think about. I graduated from IU in 1981 and then spent the next thirty three years working for AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals. During that time I had over 25 different roles ranging from Sales Representative to Executive Director in Global Commercial Excellence. I spent time in Marketing, Managed Care, Market Research and a large portion in Sales Leadership. My wife Peggy and I have been through six corporate relocations with much of the time in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Wilmington, De. In April 2015 while going through the most recent restructuring, I decided to take the early retirement option. Peg and I decided to move “home” to Bloomington. I am excited about the opportunity to begin an “Encore Career” with the great students from Kelley!

What have you learned during your career?

My success has been due to people about 70% and 30% business. If you take care of your people and your customers and know your business, you will be successful.

What do you do away from work?

Family is always number one. Peg and I are both IU Grads as are our two grown children (Kevin and Kelly). Now that the kids are gone, visiting and spending as much time as possible with them is really important. We are all huge IU fans. Peggy and I have followed the Hoosiers up and down the East Coast. Now we will enjoy the games from our own seats in Bloomington. We also have two terrific dogs, Remy (Puggle) and Maggie (Beagle).
Almost forgot, I have season basketball and football tickets for both the University of Michigan and IU.

I strongly believe…

Check your ego at the door. If you are a good collaborator, contributor, and team player you will succeed. If you are out for yourself, you will be by yourself.

What Do You Do?

As a career coach, I work with students one-on-one to help in all matters career or job search related. I view my role as a teacher of life-long job search and career management skills, because as I often like to say, “There is no on-campus recruiting” after you graduate from Kelley!

Why Do You Do It?

It sounds cliché, but it is truly the people, people, people! I love working with students and the UCSO team and have found a great place to do it!

How Did You Get Here?

I married a Hoosier.

 Professionally, I started my career at UCLA (my alma mater) and have worked in university career services for over 15 years. Before joining the UCSO team, I worked at Kelley’s Graduate Career Services (GCS) Office in various roles – as a career coach for MBA and MSIS students, as well as on the corporate relations team working with recruiters. Prior to my time at Kelley, I worked at the UCLA Career Center where I coordinated the LA internship program.

While my career has been fairly straight forward, it’s a path and in a location I wouldn’t have predicted. As the daughter of a doctor and nurse, I declared myself pre-med as a college freshman because the medical profession was all I knew. I had an inkling though, that the health profession was not for me (I get queasy at the sight of blood) and my first college chemistry and calculus classes eliminated any thought about medical school. It wasn’t until I spoke to one of my professors about the jobs and volunteer experiences that I enjoyed most in college did I look into a career in Higher Education & Students Affairs.

What Have You Learned During Your Career?

Relationships are critical, personally and professionally.

Having a great boss can make all the difference in the world.

What Do You Do Away From Work?

Enjoy spontaneous dance parties with my 5-year old son and husband and try to keep up on the latest PBS Kids, Nick Jr. and Disney characters. And when I’m not doing that, hopefully you will find me on my yoga mat or going for a run through campus.

I Strongly Believe…

…in Ralph Waldo Emerson’s definition of success.

…in karma, that what you put out into the world is what you’ll get back.

I Wish…

…to someday walk the Camino de Santiago.

…that Indiana wasn’t landlocked and that I had fewer gray hairs.

What Do You Do?

I am a Career Coach who advises Kelley undergraduate students in their professional and personal development. My goal is to help them to be “career ready.”

Why Do You Do It?

I absolutely love it! I have been in career services at IU for nearly 15 years (Kelley, SPEA, and now back at Kelley). Working with students as they explore careers and find opportunities is the best job ever. In fact, I came out of retirement in fall 2019 to return to career coaching. It makes me happy to come to work at the UCS every day.

How Did You Get Here?

I had a 25 year career with American Airlines/SABRE in the DFW area. I started in reservations, moved on to software testing, project lead roles, and manager of software testing (Product Integrity) where I managed a large team of testers, projects, and customers. After early retirement from AA, I changed careers to work in nonprofit development in education and the arts. In 2005 I relocated to Bloomington to enjoy life in a smaller city and a climate with four seasons-Texas is very HOT! Not long after I arrived I saw a newspaper ad for “career counselor” at Kelley and immediately thought “that’s my job!” Working in career services allows me to use the strengths and transferrable skills that have served me throughout: analysis, problem solving, developing people, teamwork, and customer service.

What Have You Learned During Your Career?

+ Treat people with respect and kindness – especially as a leader
+ Listen more than you talk
+ It’s good to challenge yourself and go out of your comfort zone

What Do You Do Away From Work?

I enjoy road trips, NFL football, water aerobics, and spoiling my yellow tabby cat, Dolly Parton Also, I have been a hospice volunteer in Bloomington for 14 years.

I Strongly Believe…

In work-life balance, the power of a positive attitude, and living with no regrets.