Career Advisor; Instructor: EXLN 401 Career Launch
My name is Sara and I am career advisor team here in CES. I am excited to start working with you and be a part of your career journey. I have a BS in Psychology from Kent State University and a M.Ed in Counseling with a focus in mental health from the University of Puget Sound. I am also open with my identity within the LGBTQIA+ community and welcome everyone from varying identities/backgrounds into my office space as well. During my free time, I am a movie connoisseur and an avid board game collector. I cannot wait to meet you!
What was your first, or an early work experience that impacted your career path?
When I was in undergrad, I was having a pretty rough time trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life career wise. I was hyper focused towards working in the medical field — I didn’t consider any other possibilities at the time. During my second semester I ended up taking a peer leader course where I was shown all of the different opportunities for student leadership on campus, and it helped me feel more connected to campus itself.
The following semester, I was a student success leader who co-facilitated a first-year course with a facility member focusing on the big transition to university for students. It was a time I was extremely outside of my comfort zone in student involvement, yet continued to do it throughout my time in undergrad. Looking back, that experience shaped how I viewed higher education and how I wanted to continue being able to support students in their own journey.
What did you learn in your major field of study that you currently use in your work?
Communication styles and developmental theories! How I interact with people and make myself present is very important in how I am able to do my work and form meaningful connections with others.
What is your favorite location/event/hidden gem/thing about Tacoma?
I love anywhere that I can be around the water. Coming from the Midwest where it’s flat and I was surrounded by farm land, it is a nice change of scenery. I honestly don’t know if I will ever get used to the beauty of the PNW.