Your major is a chapter, not the whole story—whether you’re just starting out or already writing your next one.

Join us for Industry Insights: Energy & Natural Resources—an engaging in-person panel and networking event where you’ll explore diverse career paths, connect with top industry professionals, and gain valuable insights to power your job search.

 Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2025
 Time: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM MT
 Location: Burwell 340

Why You Should Attend:

• Learn from Employers: Panelists from organizations will share what they look for in candidates, current hiring needs, and how to stand out in the application process. This is your chance to ask about:
  • What skills and experiences they value most
  • How their hiring process works
  • What a “day in the life” looks like at their company
  • Current and upcoming job or internship opportunities
• Connect with Alumni: Alumni can offer a unique perspective on transitioning from college to career. Ask them about:
  • How they navigated their early career decisions
  • What they wish they had known as students
  • How their major did (or didn’t) shape their career path
  • Tips for making the most of internships, networking, and job fairs
• Meet the Panelists:
  • Check back here as we get closer to the event date for the full list of confirmed panelists!

What You’ll Gain:

• Career Insights: Hear real stories and advice from professionals in your field.
• Opportunities: Learn about open roles and how to apply.
• Networking: Build connections with people who can help you take the next step.
• Interactive Q&A: Get your questions answered directly by the panelists.

Whether you’re exploring your first job or considering a career pivot, this event is your launchpad. Bring your curiosity, your questions, and your ambition.

 Register today and take the first step toward your future. We can’t wait to see you there!

Employer Event Description

Inspire the Next Generation. You’ve built your path—now help others find theirs.

We’re inviting employers and alumni in Energy & Natural Resources to join us as panelists for Industry Insights, an in-person panel and networking event designed to guide students and early alumni as they explore career paths and prepare for the workforce.

 Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2025
 Time: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM MT
 Location: Burwell 340

Why Join the Panel?

• Share Your Story: Students are eager to hear how you navigated your career journey—whether you’re hiring, mentoring, or simply passionate about your field.
• Offer Real-World Perspective: Help demystify the transition from college to career by sharing insights on industry trends, workplace culture, and the skills that matter most.
• Connect with Emerging Talent: Meet motivated students and recent grads who are actively exploring opportunities in your field. It’s a great way to give back—and maybe even find your next intern or hire.
• Inspire the Future: Your experience can make a lasting impact. Whether you’re an alum reflecting on your early career or an employer looking to engage with fresh talent, your voice matters.

If you’re ready to share your experience and inspire the next generation of talent, we’d love to have you on the panel.

 Register now to join the panel and help shape the future of Engineering, Manufacturing, and Technology.

Your major is a chapter, not the whole story—whether you’re just starting out or already writing your next one.

Join us for Industry Insights: Health Policy & Administration—an engaging in-person panel and networking event where you’ll explore diverse career paths, connect with top industry professionals, and gain valuable insights to power your job search.

 Date: Tuesday, October 14, 2025
 Time: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM MT
 Location: Burwell 340

Why You Should Attend:

• Learn from Employers: Panelists from organizations will share what they look for in candidates, current hiring needs, and how to stand out in the application process. This is your chance to ask about:
  • What skills and experiences they value most
  • How their hiring process works
  • What a “day in the life” looks like at their company
  • Current and upcoming job or internship opportunities
• Connect with Alumni: Alumni can offer a unique perspective on transitioning from college to career. Ask them about:
  • How they navigated their early career decisions
  • What they wish they had known as students
  • How their major did (or didn’t) shape their career path
  • Tips for making the most of internships, networking, and job fairs
• Meet the Panelists:
  • Check back here as we get closer to the event date for the full list of confirmed panelists!

What You’ll Gain:

• Career Insights: Hear real stories and advice from professionals in your field.
• Opportunities: Learn about open roles and how to apply.
• Networking: Build connections with people who can help you take the next step.
• Interactive Q&A: Get your questions answered directly by the panelists.

Whether you’re exploring your first job or considering a career pivot, this event is your launchpad. Bring your curiosity, your questions, and your ambition.

 Register today and take the first step toward your future. We can’t wait to see you there!

Employer Event Description

Inspire the Next Generation. You’ve built your path—now help others find theirs.

We’re inviting employers and alumni in Health Policy & Administration to join us as panelists for Industry Insights, an in-person panel and networking event designed to guide students and early alumni as they explore career paths and prepare for the workforce.

 Date: Tuesday, October 14, 2025
 Time: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM MT
 Location: Burwell 340

Why Join the Panel?

• Share Your Story: Students are eager to hear how you navigated your career journey—whether you’re hiring, mentoring, or simply passionate about your field.
• Offer Real-World Perspective: Help demystify the transition from college to career by sharing insights on industry trends, workplace culture, and the skills that matter most.
• Connect with Emerging Talent: Meet motivated students and recent grads who are actively exploring opportunities in your field. It’s a great way to give back—and maybe even find your next intern or hire.
• Inspire the Future: Your experience can make a lasting impact. Whether you’re an alum reflecting on your early career or an employer looking to engage with fresh talent, your voice matters.

If you’re ready to share your experience and inspire the next generation of talent, we’d love to have you on the panel.

 Register now to join the panel and help shape the future of Engineering, Manufacturing, and Technology.

Your major is a chapter, not the whole story—whether you’re just starting out or already writing your next one.

Join us for Industry Insights: Government, Law, & Public Service—an engaging in-person panel and networking event where you’ll explore diverse career paths, connect with top industry professionals, and gain valuable insights to power your job search.

 Date: Tuesday, October 7, 2025
 Time: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM MT
 Location: Virtual

Why You Should Attend:

• Learn from Employers: Panelists from organizations will share what they look for in candidates, current hiring needs, and how to stand out in the application process. This is your chance to ask about:
  • What skills and experiences they value most
  • How their hiring process works
  • What a “day in the life” looks like at their company
  • Current and upcoming job or internship opportunities
• Connect with Alumni: Alumni can offer a unique perspective on transitioning from college to career. Ask them about:
  • How they navigated their early career decisions
  • What they wish they had known as students
  • How their major did (or didn’t) shape their career path
  • Tips for making the most of internships, networking, and job fairs
• Meet the Panelists:
  • Check back here as we get closer to the event date for the full list of confirmed panelists!

What You’ll Gain:

• Career Insights: Hear real stories and advice from professionals in your field.
• Opportunities: Learn about open roles and how to apply.
• Networking: Build connections with people who can help you take the next step.
• Interactive Q&A: Get your questions answered directly by the panelists.

Whether you’re exploring your first job or considering a career pivot, this event is your launchpad. Bring your curiosity, your questions, and your ambition.

 Register today and take the first step toward your future. We can’t wait to see you there!

Employer Event Description

Inspire the Next Generation. You’ve built your path—now help others find theirs.

We’re inviting employers and alumni in Government, Law, & Public Service to join us as panelists for Industry Insights, an in-person panel and networking event designed to guide students and early alumni as they explore career paths and prepare for the workforce.

 Date: Tuesday, October 7, 2025
 Time: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM MT
 Location: Virtual

Why Join the Panel?

• Share Your Story: Students are eager to hear how you navigated your career journey—whether you’re hiring, mentoring, or simply passionate about your field.
• Offer Real-World Perspective: Help demystify the transition from college to career by sharing insights on industry trends, workplace culture, and the skills that matter most.
• Connect with Emerging Talent: Meet motivated students and recent grads who are actively exploring opportunities in your field. It’s a great way to give back—and maybe even find your next intern or hire.
• Inspire the Future: Your experience can make a lasting impact. Whether you’re an alum reflecting on your early career or an employer looking to engage with fresh talent, your voice matters.

If you’re ready to share your experience and inspire the next generation of talent, we’d love to have you on the panel.

 Register now to join the panel and help shape the future of Engineering, Manufacturing, and Technology.

Your major is a chapter, not the whole story—whether you’re just starting out or already writing your next one.

Join us for Industry Insights: Aerospace & Defense—an engaging in-person panel and networking event where you’ll explore diverse career paths, connect with top industry professionals, and gain valuable insights to power your job search.

 Date: Tuesday, September 30, 2025
 Time: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM MT
 Location: Virtual

Why You Should Attend:

• Learn from Employers: Panelists from organizations will share what they look for in candidates, current hiring needs, and how to stand out in the application process. This is your chance to ask about:
  • What skills and experiences they value most
  • How their hiring process works
  • What a “day in the life” looks like at their company
  • Current and upcoming job or internship opportunities
• Connect with Alumni: Alumni can offer a unique perspective on transitioning from college to career. Ask them about:
  • How they navigated their early career decisions
  • What they wish they had known as students
  • How their major did (or didn’t) shape their career path
  • Tips for making the most of internships, networking, and job fairs
• Meet the Panelists:
  • Check back here as we get closer to the event date for the full list of confirmed panelists!

What You’ll Gain:

• Career Insights: Hear real stories and advice from professionals in your field.
• Opportunities: Learn about open roles and how to apply.
• Networking: Build connections with people who can help you take the next step.
• Interactive Q&A: Get your questions answered directly by the panelists.

Whether you’re exploring your first job or considering a career pivot, this event is your launchpad. Bring your curiosity, your questions, and your ambition.

 Register today and take the first step toward your future. We can’t wait to see you there!

Employer Event Description

Inspire the Next Generation. You’ve built your path—now help others find theirs.

We’re inviting employers and alumni in Aerospace & Defense to join us as panelists for Industry Insights, an in-person panel and networking event designed to guide students and early alumni as they explore career paths and prepare for the workforce.

 Date: Tuesday, September 30, 2025
 Time: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM MT
 Location: Virtual

Why Join the Panel?

• Share Your Story: Students are eager to hear how you navigated your career journey—whether you’re hiring, mentoring, or simply passionate about your field.
• Offer Real-World Perspective: Help demystify the transition from college to career by sharing insights on industry trends, workplace culture, and the skills that matter most.
• Connect with Emerging Talent: Meet motivated students and recent grads who are actively exploring opportunities in your field. It’s a great way to give back—and maybe even find your next intern or hire.
• Inspire the Future: Your experience can make a lasting impact. Whether you’re an alum reflecting on your early career or an employer looking to engage with fresh talent, your voice matters.

If you’re ready to share your experience and inspire the next generation of talent, we’d love to have you on the panel.

 Register now to join the panel and help shape the future of Engineering, Manufacturing, and Technology.

Your major is a chapter, not the whole story—whether you’re just starting out or already writing your next one.

Join us for Industry Insights: Engineering, Manufacturing & Technology—an engaging in-person panel and networking event where you’ll explore diverse career paths, connect with top industry professionals, and gain valuable insights to power your job search.

 Date: Tuesday, September 16, 2025
 Time: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM MT
 Location: Burwell 340

Why You Should Attend:

• Learn from Employers: Panelists from organizations will share what they look for in candidates, current hiring needs, and how to stand out in the application process. This is your chance to ask about:
  • What skills and experiences they value most
  • How their hiring process works
  • What a “day in the life” looks like at their company
  • Current and upcoming job or internship opportunities
• Connect with Alumni: Alumni can offer a unique perspective on transitioning from college to career. Ask them about:
  • How they navigated their early career decisions
  • What they wish they had known as students
  • How their major did (or didn’t) shape their career path
  • Tips for making the most of internships, networking, and job fairs
• Meet the Panelists:
  • Check back here as we get closer to the event date for the full list of confirmed panelists!

What You’ll Gain:

• Career Insights: Hear real stories and advice from professionals in your field.
• Opportunities: Learn about open roles and how to apply.
• Networking: Build connections with people who can help you take the next step.
• Interactive Q&A: Get your questions answered directly by the panelists.

Whether you’re exploring your first job or considering a career pivot, this event is your launchpad. Bring your curiosity, your questions, and your ambition.

 Register today and take the first step toward your future. We can’t wait to see you there!

Employer Event Description

Inspire the Next Generation. You’ve built your path—now help others find theirs.

We’re inviting employers and alumni in Engineering, Manufacturing, and Technology to join us as panelists for Industry Insights, an in-person panel and networking event designed to guide students and early alumni as they explore career paths and prepare for the workforce.

 Date: Tuesday, September 16, 2025
 Time: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM MT
 Location: Burwell 340

Why Join the Panel?

• Share Your Story: Students are eager to hear how you navigated your career journey—whether you’re hiring, mentoring, or simply passionate about your field.
• Offer Real-World Perspective: Help demystify the transition from college to career by sharing insights on industry trends, workplace culture, and the skills that matter most.
• Connect with Emerging Talent: Meet motivated students and recent grads who are actively exploring opportunities in your field. It’s a great way to give back—and maybe even find your next intern or hire.
• Inspire the Future: Your experience can make a lasting impact. Whether you’re an alum reflecting on your early career or an employer looking to engage with fresh talent, your voice matters.

If you’re ready to share your experience and inspire the next generation of talent, we’d love to have you on the panel.

 Register now to join the panel and help shape the future of Engineering, Manufacturing, and Technology.

2025 Industry & Alumni Connections: Student Organizations

Thursday 9/25 | 4:30pm MT – 6:00pm MT

On-Campus at The Burwell Center for Career Achievement, 340 – 2190 E Asbury Ave, Denver, CO 80210

This event is designed to connect employers with student organizations. Registered student organizations who attend the networking event and a preparation session will receive a portion of the funds generated from the employer registration fees (deposited to your organization’s university-designated accounts).

Student Event Description

At this event, you are given the opportunity to interact with employers, employers who are interested in speaking to you specifically.

This dedicated time and space allows you to:

• Explore internship or full-time opportunities for yourself.
• Communicate the needs of your student organization.
• Learn about employer recruiting initiatives and how these organizations support their employee populations.

How to Register:

• To attend, click ‘Register‘.
• Research Employers that will be at the fair
  • Click the ‘Employers’ tab above
  • Click on the hyperlinked organization name to view majors they’re hiring, positions available and more!
• Note: This event is taking place immediately after the 2025 Fall Career & Internship Fair on Thursday, September 25th. We encourage you and your student organization members to attend.

Required – Review Prep Materials: 

We will send prep materials a week prior to the event. Please review these materials, submit any requested information, and acknowledge receipt. Stay tuned more information.

Employer Event Description

2025 Fall Career & Internship Fair

Thursday 9/25

1:00pm MT – 4:00pm MT

On-Campus at The Community Commons – 2055 E Evans Ave, Denver, CO 80210

Join us at DU’s Fall all-majors career and internship fair. This is an on campus event where students and alumni have the opportunity to meet employers who are looking for talented future team members across all majors. Employers attending will be sharing information about full-time and/or internship positions within their organization.

**Employer map coming soon**

Student Event Description

PLEASE NOTE:

• Registration for DU students and alumni is FREE! All majors are invited to attend. 
• Please contact hire@du.edu with questions regarding registering for this event.
• Student registration opens 6/1.

HOW TO REGISTER:

• To attend, click ‘Register‘.
• Research Employers that will be at the fair
  • Click the ‘Employers’ tab above
  • Click on the hyperlinked organization name to view majors they’re hiring, positions available and more!
  • Utilize the filters at the top of the employer list to narrow your search
  • Click the 3 dot icon to the right of the filter search bar to export the employer information into an excel spreadsheet.
• Wondering what to wear? Stop by the Career Closet in Burwell before the fair to pick out up to four free items!
• Need a Headshot for LinkedIn? Stop by the fair to get your picture taken by a professional photographer to use for your LinkedIn profile! Must be in line by 3:30pm to receive a headshot!
• Attend Career Week events!
  • **More info coming soon**

Employer Event Description

PLEASE NOTE:

• To attend a Career & Internship Fair, click ‘Register’.
  • To ensure a variety of industry representation for our students & alumni, the Employer Connections team will review your registration details and will contact you with approval.
  • Space is limited, completion of the registration form does not secure your attendance.
  • Bring a DU Alumni from your company as your 3rd attendee at no extra cost!
• Employers will be approved on a rolling basis, so submit your registration as soon as possible.
• Please contact hire@du.edu with questions regarding registering for this event.

To help our Student attendees navigate the career fair, Employers will be placed in one of the Industry Clusters below depending on their organization’s industry:

• Education
• Government, Law & Public Service
• Health & Wellness
• Outdoor Recreation & Conservation
• Arts, Media & Design
• Energy & Natural Resources
• Business, Marketing, Hospitality & Finance
• Engineering, Manufacturing & Technology

By the Numbers

This year, our dedicated team organized 15 distinct events that garnered over 1,500 student attendees. These include:

Career Fairs: Opening Doors to Opportunity

We hosted three career fairs throughout the academic year:

• 2024 Fall Career & Internship Fair
• 2025 Winter Career Fair (with record-breaking attendance!)
• 2025 Spring “Just in Time” Career Fair: Jobs, Internships, & Graduate Schools

Each fair brought dozens of employers to campus, creating immediate connections between our talented students and organizations eager to recruit them. Our Winter Career Fair saw unprecedented participation, with more students and employers engaging than ever before.

Employer Panels: Industry Insights

Our eight employer panels covered a diverse range of industries and career paths. These intimate settings allowed students to hear directly from professionals about:

• Career progression opportunities
• Industry trends and challenges
• Advice for new graduates entering the field

These panels provided invaluable insider perspectives from top employers in Colorado and valuable one-on-one networking opportunities with professionals in desired fields.

Networking Events: Building Professional Connections

Our three networking events created environments for students to practice their professional communication skills while making meaningful connections. These events included:

• Diversity Connections
• Veteran Connections
• DU Denver Network Alumni Reception

These events allowed employers to engage with 16 identity-based student organizations to better understand how to recruit and support diverse and veteran populations.

Introducing City Treks: Immersive Workplace Experiences

This year marked the exciting launch of our City Trek program – a first for Employer Connections! This day-long immersion took ten students to visit three different employer sites, providing an up-close look at workplace cultures, facilities, and operations.

The inaugural City Trek allowed students to:

• Tour professional workspaces
• Meet with employees across departments
• Ask candid questions about workplace experiences
• Visualize themselves in potential future roles

The feedback from both students and participating employers was overwhelmingly positive, and we’re excited to expand this program in the coming year.

Looking Ahead

As we plan for next year, we’re committed to building on this year’s successes while exploring new ways to connect students with professional opportunities. We welcome your feedback and suggestions as we continue developing programs that prepare our students for successful careers.

Stay tuned for announcements about upcoming events!

Thank you to all the students, employers, alumni, and campus partners who made this year’s programming so successful!

In an indication of just how important the student employment relationship can be, we had 79 incredibly strong nominations for 93 community members this year! These nominations showed just how much our student employees and supervisors have shown up for one another across a string of difficult years, displaying incredible teamwork skills as they navigated not only the ongoing crisis of a global pandemic, but also issues of societal injustice, leadership turnover, and personal challenges.

The Student Employment team invites all student employees, supervisors and supporters (including family and friends) to celebrate with us as we honor our Student Employees of the Year, Skyler Kasnoff and Nayeli Aguirre, and our Supervisor of the Year, Anthony Jones, and recognize all of this year’s nominees!

Skyler Kasnoff, Undergraduate Student Employee of the Year

Skyler is a Geography and Public Policy major at the University of Denver, studying urban climate resilience and sustainable policy. His goal is to pursue architecture, and bridge design, science, and climate stewardship throughout his career. As a Denver native, spending time with his friends in the mountains is fundamental to his idea of a good time and staying motivated to pursue this difficult work. Skyler is proud and grateful to be a part of the Marsico Institute at the University of Denver.

Skyler’s supervisor Daniela Alvares-Vargas wrote: “His hard work is exemplified in his contributions to our institute’s goal of developing and sustaining LearningTrajectories.org, referred to hereafter as [LT]2, a website tool designed to support early childhood practitioners in providing young children with rigorous and equitable math learning. Skyler spearheaded the design, development, and continuous improvement of the [LT]2 Dashboard project.

Most importantly, Skyler embodies an empathetic and community-strengths focused mindset to develop solutions with the people that the solutions are meant to serve. His work has consistently been driven by a desire to center the voices of the communities he works with and to create spaces that are inclusive and accessible.”

Nayeli Aguirre, Graduate Student Employee of the Year

Nayeli is a graduate student at the Daniels College of Business pursuing a degree in Accounting Technology & Analytics. She has been involved with the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Program since 2021 and currently serves as the Senior MOS TA Coordinator. In this role, Nayeli ensures the smooth operation of labs and provides support to both students and TAs, helping the team stay well-prepared to teach effectively.

Nayeli’s supervisor Nadine Balabanoff wrote: “Nayeli has gone above and beyond in her role as a TA Coordinator by consistently demonstrating exceptional dedication, innovation, and leadership. She has streamlined communication between TAs and the MOS program, ensuring that everyone stays informed and aligned. Through her efforts, she has not only made an immediate positive impact but have also laid a foundation for sustainable improvement of the MOS program, leaving a lasting legacy that will benefit future cohorts.”

Anthony Jones, Supervisor of the Year

My journey in education and social work is rooted in a passion for community, advocacy, and meaningful learning experiences. As a first-generation college student and the son of a Mexican immigrant, I earned my first master’s degree from Jackson State University, an HBCU in Jackson, Mississippi, where I was mentored by exceptional women of color who were also incredible professors. That experience, combined with my dedication to supporting underserved students in the classroom, led me to pursue a second master’s degree in School Psychology at the Morgridge College of Education, which I completed in 2023.

Currently, I serve as the Assistant Program Director at the Graduate School of Social Work. I find meaning in my work through mentoring students and organizing programs that support academic and professional success. I was both surprised and honored to receive the Supervisor of the Year Award, and I am grateful to Emma Pedersen for the nomination.

Outside of work, I am a musician, a proud homeowner and active member of my Aurora community, and a budding at-home chef. I sing and play guitar and I’m an active member of The Spirituals Project Choir at DU, a community organization dedicated to preserving and revitalizing spirituals. I love gathering with my Neighborhood Improvement Association of Morris Heights for weekly community dinners to discuss ways we can uplift our neighbors’ voices and drive meaningful change. On weekends, you’ll often find me at Mi Pueblo Market, buying ingredients to recreate the meals my late mother used to make—keeping her love close in the food I make for my friends and family.

Anthony’s student employee Emma Pederson wrote: “Anthony has had a profound impact on my professional growth, and I deeply appreciate the way he has supported and challenged me. He does not shy away from having challenging conversations, whether about social work or broader professional issues and consistently pushes me to critically examine my perspectives. This has helped me grow not just in my knowledge, but in my ability to approach conversations with a more nuanced, reflective mindset. His willingness to engage in these discussions have been essential to my development as both a social worker and a person.”

Congratulations as well to our other nominees this year! 

NOMINEES:

Undergraduates	Graduates	Supervisors
Aidan Perez	Aidan Smith	Alison McCarty
Ana Julia Rodrigues Alves	Carmel Stralen	Allie Tookmanian
Arianna Rojas-Ortega	Haydee Ducay-Fajardo	Amanda Muller
Ashley Quezada Flores	Jeremy Van Denack	Amanda Thompson
Caleb J. Smith	Katarina Krull	Anne Conzemius Thompson
Clara Duong	Kereine Ngoungui-Malemba	Anthony Holder
Crystal Rojas Carbajal	Lidia Palmese	Audrey Townsend
Dylan Lindsey	Natasha Zakin	Bernadette Tynan
Gus Emerson	Nikos Lazanis	Beth Goad
Iris Stanfill	Ponce Shepard	Bob Kumagai
Isla Saylor	Prabhu Perumal	Casey Dinger
Mireya Amador	Robert Monson	Cedric Asensio
Ryker Lott	Sadie Rogers	Damary Beltran
Trang (Julie) Do	Shammah Ameh	Damon Vine
	Xiaozhen (Sandra) Lin	Dana Cowper
	Yating Zhu	Daniela Alvarez-Vargas
		Darlene Squires
		Eric Duran
		Erica Jorgenson
		Erich Kushner
		Ethel Swartley
		Garrett Roberts
		Ilana Blum
		J. Todd Blankenship
		Jeremy Vera
		Jorge Espinoza
		Joseph Carfagnini
		Judith E. Fox
		Karina Condra
		Kelly Elliott
		Kelsey Compton
		Kristina Hesbol
		Kyle Peterson
		Lainie Fickau
		Leah McFail
		Leslie Alvarez
		Liam Westwood
		Meagan Callahan
		Nicole Cortez Nevarez
		Rachael Williams
		Robyn Thomas Pitts
		Sarabeth Wolbrom
		Stevie Lee
		Sunil Kumar
		Susan Goodwin
		Trapper Lee

The Fall 2024 Student Employee’s Achieve (SEA) Badging Program concluded with a cohort of 27 student employees! Starting in October 2024, student employees from various offices around our campus joined The Office of Student Employment’s SEA Badge Program for trainings on critical professional skills over the course of 4 weeks. Participants went in depth over topics such as Professionalism, Communication, Critical Thinking, Career & Self Development, and Technology, with many trainings led by our on-campus friends.

The SEA Badge Program integrates elements of the 4D experience and student academic and professional development into it’s trainings. Students who complete the badge will be proficient in application of the NACE career readiness competencies in their student employment role and prepared to transfer those skills to post-graduate work opportunities. This process of reflection, connection, and discovery delivers on the 4D Experience, providing opportunities that support students’ intellectual growth, character growth, well-being, and sense of purpose. Overall, the goal of the SEA Badge Program is for student employees to reach the following outcomes:

• Be able to identify how they are building career skills in their student employment.
• Can see connections between their student employment and their future careers.
• Gain confidence in articulating those connections for themselves and others.
• Build a strong sense of self as professional and what that means for their future careers.

Below are spotlights on two student employees, Elizabeth Amoah and Jocelyn Buenrostro, who were a part of the Fall 2024 SEA Badge Program cohort. These student employees have not only demonstrated a strong understanding of significant career skills but also have proven their ability to utilize their time as student employees to continue developing their professional abilities. If you would like to learn more about their experiences, feel free to connect with them through LinkedIn!

Elizabeth Amoah

LinkedIn: Elizabeth Amoah

Introduce yourself! In two to three sentences, who are you as a student and a professional?

My name is Elizabeth Amoah, and I am a graduate student specializing in Business Analytics at Daniels College of Business. As a professional, I combine my technical expertise in data analysis, visualization, and strategic decision-making with a passion for problem-solving and continuous learning. I enjoy leveraging tools like Python, Alteryx, and Power BI to create impactful insights and innovative solutions.

What is your student employment job, and what have you learned there?

I work as a Graduate Assistant, supporting my supervisor with research and administrative tasks. This role has enhanced my ability to collaborate effectively, manage my time efficiently, and sharpen my skills in tools like Excel while conducting goal-driven research.

What have you gained from completing the Student Employees Achieve badge this fall?

Completing the Student Employees Achieve badge helped me reflect on my skills and professional growth. It strengthened my ability to set goals, adapt to challenges, and enhanced my communication and leadership abilities, which are essential in both academic and professional settings.

What is your career goal moving forward?

My goal is to work as a data analyst or consultant, where I can use my analytical skills to drive business solutions and strategic initiatives. Long-term, I aspire to contribute to impactful projects at leading organizations, bridging the gap between data and decision-making to create meaningful outcomes.

Jocelyn Buenrostro

LinkedIn: Jocelyn Buenrostro

Introduce yourself! In two to three sentences, who are you as a student and a professional?

My name is Jocelyn Buenrostro. I’m a double major in Sociology and Languages, Literatures & Cultures with a concentration in Italian, and minoring in Critical Race and Ethnic Studies. I’m passionate about education, first-generation experiences in higher education, as well as bridging the language barrier gaps in these spaces. 

What is your student employment job, and what have you learned there?

I work at the Financial Aid Office as the Senior Peer Advisor and in the Language Center as an Italian Tutor. As the Senior Peer Advisor, I’ve learned to communicate effectively and adjust training methods to fit the Peer Advisor’s learning style. I also have grown with my Spanish Translation skills as I’ve had to explain a student’s financial aid offer as well as the financial aid process to Spanish-speaking families. As an Italian Tutor, I’ve also learned to adapt to a student’s learning style and listen to what they hope to gain from attending the tutoring.

What have you gained from completing the Student Employees Achieve badge this fall?

From completing the Student Employees Achieve badge this fall; I’ve learned to clearly express the skills that I’ve gained from working both jobs. Many of the skills/topics discussed throughout the program made me think of how I can continue improving those skills in my workplaces as well as in classes. I’ve tried to apply more of the recommendations presented by the program to improve. I’ve learned to be more confident in my abilities, not be afraid of asking questions, and advocate for myself and the students we serve. 

What is your career goal moving forward?

Moving forward, my career goal is to embrace leadership opportunities and continue to improve my skills as a professional.