Liberal Arts Career Services Staff

Dr. Kate S. Brooks, Director
Office FAC 18
Phone 512-471-7900
k.brooks@austin.utexas.edu

Managing the overall operations of the career center including the budget, personnel, programs, and services. more...

Dr. Kate S. Brooks, Director
Office FAC 18
Phone 512-471-7900
k.brooks@austin.utexas.edu

Managing the overall operations of the career center including the budget, personnel, programs, and services.

Additional areas of interest/expertise:
Training career center personnel nationwide on career coaching techniques for the National Association of Colleges & Employers (NACE). Developer and course instructor for Wise Wanderings™ career coaching system for liberal arts undergraduates. Former school psychologist, college counselor, social worker, and human resources generalist.

Education and training:
Ed.D. in Educational Psychology, and MS in Rehabilitation Counseling, from West Virginia University. BA in Sociology & Anthropology from Gettysburg College, PA. Licensed Counselor in Texas and Pennsylvania. Certified Distance Career Counselor.

If I could pick any career, other than the job I'm currently doing it would be:
None. I'm doing the career I love.

Best piece of career advice?
"Do what you love; the money will follow."

When not at work I enjoy:
The Texas music scene, playing guitar, banjo & hammered dulcimer, mixed-media art, and watching movies. [close]

COACHING TEAM:

Neil Johnson, Career Coach & Peer Advisor Program Manager
Office FAC 18
Phone 512-471-7900
n.johnson@austin.utexas.edu

Assisting students with resumé and cover letter writing; researching employers, jobs, and internships; conducting mock interviews; managing the LACS Peer Advisor program. more...

Neil Johnson, Career Coach & Peer Advisor Program Manager
Office FAC 18
Phone 512-471-7900
n.johnson@austin.utexas.edu

Assisting students with resumé and cover letter writing; researching employers, jobs, and internships; conducting mock interviews; managing the LACS Peer Advisor program.

Additional areas of interest/expertise:
Over seven years' experience in career services working with students majoring in liberal arts, as well as electronic and aeronautical engineering.

Education and training:
Pursuing MEd in College and University Student Personnel Administration at The University of Texas at Austin; BS in Physical Education from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor; Leadership Skills for Managers Certificate Program, the Center for Professional Development, UT Austin

If I could pick any career, other than the job I'm currently doing it would be:
Coaching sports, most likely basketball, soccer, or tennis.

Best piece of career advice?
Develop your network, don't burn bridges with employers, and visit LACS!

When not at work I enjoy:
Being outdoors, playing basketball and tennis, and watching the Longhorns and Dallas Cowboys.[close]

Tatem Oldham, Career Coach & Pre-Law Advisor
Office FAC 18
Phone 512-471-7900
t.oldham@austin.utexas.edu

Helping students decide if they want to go to law school and guiding them through the process of applying. Also, resumé and personal statement critiques, and helping liberal arts students with the career decision-making process.

Additional areas of interest/expertise:
Experience as a psychotherapist in both group and individual settings. Extensive training and two years' experience with the foster care system in Texas.

Education and training:
MEd in Educational Psychology, and BA in Communication Studies, both from The University of Texas at Austin. Advanced Certification in Conflict Mediation; 30 hours+ training in child abuse prevention and Child Protective Services. Licensed Professional Counselor Intern.

If I could pick any career, other than the job I'm currently doing it would be:
Part-time therapist, part-time philanthropist.

Best piece of career advice?
99% of excelling is perseverance. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

When not at work I enjoy:
Reading; family time.[close]

RECRUITING TEAM:

Robert Vega, Employer Relations Coordinator & Internship Course Instructor
Office FAC 18
Phone 512-471-7900
r.vega@austin.utexas.edu

Establishing contacts with employers locally, nationwide, and around the world in order to connect students with potential jobs, internships, and career learning opportunities. Educating employers on the strengths of liberal arts students, and their potential for success in all areas of work. Internship Course Instructor for four internship classes, one (LA 310) classroom-based, and the others web-based.

Additional areas of interest/expertise:
Experiential learning (e.g., internships, study abroad, gap year activities).

Education and training:
MA in International Relations from Boston University, including study in England and France. BA in Political Science from the University of Houston.

If I could pick any career, other than the job I'm currently doing it would be:
Running a backpacker's hostel on a beach in the South Pacific or Southeast Asia.

Best piece of career advice?
Step outside your comfort zone to better understand the world and who you are. Working in a forest in Wyoming, teaching at an inner-city school in New York, or interning at a public health clinic in Tanzania will help you fine tune your adaptability, problem-solving, coping, and interpersonal skills - all strengths in high demand by employers.

When not at work I enjoy:
Dinners with friends and planning my next trip. If I can travel three times a year I'm a very happy man.[close]

Sunshine Barber, Recruiting Specialist
Office FAC 18
Phone 512-232-3826
s.barber@austin.utexas.edu

Coordinating job postings and on-campus recruiting activities for private companies, non-profit organizations, and government offices. Managing career fairs (on-site and online) aimed at connecting employers with COLA students.

Education and training:
BA in Sociology and History from The University of Texas at Austin.

If I could pick any career, other than the job I'm currently doing it would be:
Yoga Instructor, Wilderness Tour Guide or Specialty Baker.

Best piece of career advice?
"80% of success is just showing up" - Woody Allen. I agree. If you're interested in something then give it a try. Don't worry about whether or not you can do it or will be good at it. The details will work themselves out.

When not at work I enjoy:
Knitting, cooking, hiking.[close]

Chase Dawkins, Recruiting Assistant/Library Resource Manager
Office FAC 18
Phone 512-471-3622
c.dawkins@austin.utexas.edu

Assisting the recruiting team in all aspects related to administration, database maintenance, career fairs, and the overall upkeep/appearance of the interview rooms. Also, managing the LACS Career Resource Library and assisting students with questions or concerns relating to the Library.

Additional areas of interest/expertise:
Learning about how and where certain degrees will get you in the working world. It's interesting to me to meet people in professional careers and to ask them what their major/degree was in.

Education and training:
BS in Radio-Television-Film from The University of Texas at Austin.

If I could pick any career, other than the job I'm currently doing it would be:
Some sort of career involving writing and/or professional communication.

Best piece of career advice?
Just take life (or your career) one day at a time as the world (and the individual) is constantly changing.

When not at work I enjoy:
Reading academic/scholarly books & biographies; watching "cult" films; listening to 80s/90s music; spending time with friends.[close]

FRONT DESK STAFF:

Lindsay Morgan, Student Associate/Front Desk Assistant
Office FAC 18
Phone 512-471-7900
lacs@austin.utexas.edu

Providing front desk and administrative support to the LACS office and programs throughout the semester.more...

Lindsay Morgan, Student Associate/Front Desk Assistant
Office FAC 18
Phone 512-471-7900
lacs@austin.utexas.edu

Providing front desk and administrative support to the LACS office and programs throughout the semester.

Education and training:
BA in Sociology from Baylor University, with a minor in Social Work. Currently working towards my MEd in College & University Student Personnel Administration at The University of Texas at Austin.

If I could pick any career, other than the job I'm currently doing it would be:
Counselor; working with a charitable foundation.

Best piece of career advice?
"I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed" - Michael Jordan.

When not at work I enjoy:
Watching television shows (like "Lost") and "chick flic" or highly dramatic movies; walking my two dogs Molly and Lola.[close]

ADDITIONAL STAFF MEMBERS:

Elizabeth Smith Alexander, Ph. D, Manager, Marketing & Program Evaluation
Office FAC 18
Phone 512-471-7900
l.alexander@austin.utexas.edu

Conceiving, developing, implementing, and evaluating new and effective ways to improve LACS services to our students. Devising surveys and producing relevant data reports. Interviewing students and alums for Making Majors Work and Making Internships Work.

Additional areas of interest/expertise:
Career coach for over 10 years with US and UK clients. Positive psychology. Training in strengths-based work, including use of Gallup's StrengthsFinder™ tool.

Education and training:
Graduating with PhD in Educational Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, May 2008; MA in Program Evaluation, The University of Texas at Austin; BSc (Hons) in Psychology, The Open University, UK. Honors diploma, the London School of Journalism

If I could pick any career, other than the job I'm currently doing it would be:
Pretty much the same as now -- a "portfolio career" comprising research, writing, coaching, training, motivational speaking.

Best piece of career advice?
The Nike slogan, "Just do it!" Internships, study abroad, volunteering, student leadership all provide experiences that can help you learn more about yourself and what you might like to do as a career. Get out of your head and into the world of work by doing stuff.

When not at work I enjoy:
Immersing myself in my dissertation data (sad, but true); walking and playing with my adorable black Labrador, Buffy; deep philosophizing with friends (good food and wine helps); soaking up the sun. [close]

Leslie Wood, Office Manager
Office FAC 18
Phone 512-471-7900
l.wood@austin.utexas.edu

Coordinating all of LACS' administrative functions.more...

Leslie Wood, Office Manager
Office FAC 18
Phone 512-471-7900
l.wood@austin.utexas.edu

Coordinating all of LACS' administrative functions.

Specific areas of expertise:
Ten years' experience working in higher education.

If I could pick any career, other than the job I'm currently doing it would be:
An attorney; I'm a great debater.

Best piece of career advice?
DON'T say anything like these at a job interview:
- I realize it seems odd that I have had only one job lasting three days in 41 years, but honestly nothing really jumped out at me
- I know my resumé doesn't make much sense but I can assure you neither does my life
- So what you are telling me is that if I get one of my fingers cut off by that big machine over there, I would be able to stay home and still receive my pay checks?

When not at work I enjoy:
Antiquing, and spending time with my daughers.[close]

Carter Francis, IT Systems Administrator, Webmaster
Office FAC 18
Phone 512-232-7338
cfrancis@austin.utexas.edu

Keeping the technological parts of LACS alive and up to date by maintaining the computer systems and everything related to them. Making random design and computer-assisted projects come to life. Maintaining and improving the LACS website.

Additional career-related areas of interest and expertise
Desktop Support Specialist for Information Technology Services at UT contracted out to LACS.

Education and training:
BS in Radio-Television-Film from The University of Texas at Austin

If I could pick any career, other than the job I'm currently doing it would be:
I've been a musician for as long as I can remember, and am trained in both recording and performance. I'd be thrilled to eventually make a living off those talents.

Best piece of career advice?
Network - Network - Network. It is all about who you know.

When not at work I enjoy:
Writing music and poetry. Plotting my next creative project. [close]

Dr. Katharine S. Brooks, Director / University of Texas at Austin, FAC 18 / Austin, TX / (512) 471-7900

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Liberal Arts Career Services Staff