Get to Know Our Career Coaches

Aaron comes from Indianapolis, Indiana where he spent most of his high school years closely involved with music. During his time at IU earning a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Aaron continued to pursue his musical interests by working as a music educator various high school bands in the Indianapolis area. His work with his music students inspired him to pursue a career where he could help students full-time. Now a graduate student, Aaron is working on his degree in Counseling to become a professional Career Coach. To stay close to the arts, Aaron also volunteers time with the Office of Entrepreneurship and Career Development within the Jacob’s School of Music. In his spare time, Aaron enjoys playing saxophone, guitar, video games, and occasionally skateboarding.

Kaitlynn is currently a sophomore majoring in French and Spanish.  She is also pursuing a certificate in Nonprofit Management and a minor in Global and Comparative Education.  She graduated from Westfield High School in Westfield, Indiana, where she was the first student to simultaneously take two languages for four years.  Her passion for these languages and the cultures of those who speak continued to grow throughout high school and is fostered through her studies.  She discovered her passion for global education as a high school student; through her involvement in an IU chapter of a nonprofit organization, she has helped to combat the global education crisis in Uganda through fundraising, advocacy, and awareness.  Kaitlynn is hoping to combine her interest in nonprofit management, global education, and languages by working with nonprofits that deliver education to children in West Africa and Latin America.  When she’s not busy trying to save the world, Kaitlynn enjoys spending time with dogs, friends, and family, and doing service projects in Bloomington.

Suzanne is a proud Indiana University alum and has spent the last 20 years in Chicago working as a teacher, advisor, and professional actor nationally and internationally. She is passionate about using improvisation and theater in education to encourage self-discovery, communication, and artistry. She spent time working with such companies as Second City, Cleveland Play House, Writers’ Theatre, Chicago Dramatists, and The Goodman Theatre. She utilized improv principles to train future actors and directors; as well as to provide team building and communications consulting to corporate and nonprofit companies such as Altria, Gap, Inc., and The Brain Arts Center of Chicago. She credits her Liberal Arts education for enabling her to have a career in media, the arts, and higher education. Suzanne is thrilled and grateful to partner with students in creating their career and life path. You can find her rooting around Bloomington on her scooter Sugar or editing a play at Hopscotch. Never hesitate to reach out and build your network: You will grow as a person, bring community everywhere you go, and might walk into that next chapter of your life.

I’m the Senior Academic Advisor in the Media School, which means I do academic advising and career coaching, as well as co-teach the media careers class ASCS-Q296. I’m happy to help you find opportunities to connect your professional, personal, and academic goals at IU, and to make the most of those experiences in internship searches, job searches, and graduate school applications. If your questions are primarily about classes and IU opportunities, please make an academic advising appointment here.

Chris is originally from Osceola, Indiana, and became known as a world traveler in high school, when he completed a home-stay exchange program in Hagen, Germany. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in German at Indiana University South Bend (August 2011) and fell into student affairs after working several part-time jobs all over campus. Unbeknownst to him, those experiences, coupled with three studies abroad in four countries (England, France, Germany, and Costa Rica), fueled his desire to work in student affairs. After an academic year internship in the University of Notre Dame’s Multicultural Student Programs and Services office, Chris attended Bowling Green State University for his Master of Arts in College Student Personnel (May 2014), completing graduate assistantships in residence life, career development, and multicultural affairs. Late in his grad school career, Chris discovered his passion for helping students connect their passions to their future careers. In his free time, Chris enjoys playing video/board/card games, swimming, going to the movies, and hanging out with friends and family as often as possible.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

I was easily attracted to lots of jobs as a kid, so my interests constantly changed: doctor, artist, violist, business professional, and accountant to name a few.

Rachel is originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana and originally thought she wanted a career in the medical field since she worked as a physical therapist tech. Throughout her undergrad she worked in Student Life on campus. She has experience dissecting cadavers and working in various healthcare settings, but the opportunity for grad school in the medical field kept closing. She decided instead to pursue a career as a school counselor; still directly helping people but in a different context. She was first inspired to work in higher education (not knowing what exactly that was) during her first semester of grad school when she received a graduate internship in Career Services at IPFW (Indiana-Purdue University Fort Wayne) and also did some academic advising for the Doermer School of Business. Rachel stayed in the Career Services office for almost three years, where she developed skills serving undergraduate, graduate, international, returning adult, and military students of all majors. Rachel is an active member of Career Development Professionals of Indiana. She is passionate about helping individuals realize their potential and that career is a central role in the human experience. Rachel enjoys spending time with her husband Thomas, son Owen, dog Cleo, and cat Mango, as well as spending time outside, remodeling homes with her husband, attempting Pinterest ideas, watching documentaries, and experimenting with cooking. Rachel loves to travel and has been to India twice, Ireland, Wales, London, Mexico, and Canada.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?
A grocery bagger. I loved watching our groceries being bagged in an organized, systematic way. It made so much sense!

Lauren is originally from Dayton, OH and thought she wanted to be a Middle School English teacher when she enrolled at Wright State University.  Throughout Lauren’s undergrad experience she was an active member in the Greek Life community holding various leadership roles such as the Academic Achievement Coordinator for her sorority.   After completing her student teaching at a local middle school during her junior year she found that her passion wasn’t in K-12 education but working with college students.  She decided to pursue a career in Higher Education.  Her experience with changing careers inspired Lauren to focus her studies further on career development.  Before joining the Arts and Sciences Career Services team Lauren worked at Indiana University East where she was an Academic Advisor for the School of Humanities and Social Sciences and Career Development instructor for undecided students.  Lauren is an active member of the Career Development Professionals of Indiana–currently the President-Elect and the National Career Development Association–serving on the Awards Committee.  She spends her free time with her dog Paden and family.  Lauren loves traveling, experiencing new cuisines, and has a passion for the Olympics.  Her goal is to travel and attend a summer Olympic Games.

Carrye Simmons comes from a small town by the name of Lowell in northwest Indiana. Carrye comes from a family of Purdue fans but she decided to go against the norm and attend college elsewhere. She came to Indiana University with intentions of joining the Kelley School of Business but after her first semester she decided that particular path wasn’t for her. Carrye grew up with a love for history and has always been intrigued by cultural connections and interactions, both passions she wishes to continue with into her career future. After exploring a few classes and getting involved through university events, Carrye has decided on double majoring in Arts History and Folklore, and minoring in Arts Management, with the hopes of pursuing a career in Museum Curating or Art Consulting out of Chicago.

Amanda is from San Diego, California. She is a Sophomore majoring in Psychology and minoring in Creative Writing with a certificate in Clinical Science. She is member of the IU Psychology Club as well as a First Year Ambassador through the Office of the First Year Experience. She is also a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. After graduating, Amanda hopes to attend graduate school in the Midwest to pursue a license in Marriage and Family Therapy with a focus in Adolescent Psychology and wants to live in Chicago.

Lei is currently a third-year doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program at IU, with a minor in Health Behavior in the School of Public Health. Her research is mainly on international students, Asian, and Asian American mental health. She is currently a practicum counselor at Ivy Tech. Lei received her master’s in counseling psychology at the University of Missouri, with an emphasis on career counseling. She worked as a graduate assistant/practicum career consultant for the International Students Career Services at the MU Career Center for 3 years.

Lei was born and raised in Taipei, Taiwan. She spent two years in Houston, Texas with her mother and younger brother when she was 5-7, which made her appreciate diversity and different cultures at a young age. She attended the National Taiwan Normal University for her undergraduate, where she majored in Educational Psychology and Counseling. She met one of her mentors there (a MU faculty), who encouraged her to pursue a 3+2 degree to receive both her bachelor’s from Taiwan and master’s from the US.

Lei is excited to be working as a graduate intern at the Walter Center for Career Achievement. She draws energy from engaging in conversations with others and looks forward to assisting students pursue their careers.

Andrea is a Midwestern girl at heart, having grown up in Ohio. Performing in theatre her entire life, she thought her dream job was to become a Broadway star. Upon completion of high school, Andrea decided to forego the unstable life of an aspiring actress and graduated with a degree in sociology. She attended graduate school, pursuing school counseling, to specifically concentrate on college and career preparation for young adults. While at the University of Dayton, Andrea worked in various roles in career services. It was through this wide array of experiences that Andrea’s passion for career services and assisting others with their personal career development was solidified. She takes a holistic approach to career counseling, assisting others in aligning their emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual needs with their career goals. Andrea’s interests include visiting friends and family, musical theatre, pop culture, viral YouTube videos, and Cleveland sports. Andrea is thrilled to be a part of Indiana University!

What did you want to be when you were growing up?
First a cheerleader – I loved their energy and the joy they brought to the crowd. Then, an actress – I’m still passionate about the arts. Finally, a teacher – it’s amazing how life comes full circle sometimes!

Mary grew up just outside of Bloomington in the little town of Bloomfield, Indiana. She decided to major in Agriculture and Natural Resources as an undergraduate at Berea College because she loves the outdoors and is passionate about the environment. Though she liked working with her hands and the meditative nature of gardening and farming, she ultimately felt that a career directly serving the public was more in line with her skills and values. After holding various administrative positions in higher education, Mary returned to school and received a Master of Arts in Public Policy and Management at The Ohio State University. She enjoys talking with students about their life experiences and helping them chart a course to fulfilling careers. Mary spends most of her time with her husband Adam and daughter Guinevere, thinking of new house projects, hiking, cooking, attempting different dance/Zumba classes, listening to local music, and seeing comedy shows.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?
I was 100% sure I’d be a writer.  I’ve never actually had a job with that title,  but I’ve leaned heavily on my writing skills professionally.  I still secretly hope to one day write a book, or articles for nature magazines!