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 marching 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.

Marcia grew up in Georgia, where she enjoyed peaches, pecans, fishing and lots of sports. She graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Immediately after graduation, she moved to Bloomington where she completed a master’s degree in journalism at IU in 1983. Marcia planned to spend her career as a newspaper reporter, but loved all that IU offered and has worked as a proposal writer, orientation coordinator, career services director and now, a career coach.  She loves coaching students, and working with staff, faculty and alumni. She also likes naps, spending time with family and friends, traveling and trying new cuisines.

Randi is a proud product of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She received her undergraduate degree in music education with a concentration in trombone and subsequently taught music at various schools in Texas, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota. She then shifted gears by completing her master’s degree in Higher Education Administration at Boston College while also working full-time in fundraising and then with the Boston College Bands. After settling in Bloomington in 2012 (and vowing never to move again), she worked in a research center in the School of Education at IU. She is extremely excited to work with students on their career development in the Walter Center for Career Achievement. In her free time, Randi likes to run, cook, and spend time with her family.

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.

Kimberly was born in Massachusetts, but moved from east to west coast multiple times in her formative years, also living in California and Virginia. She completed her Bachelor of Art degrees in Sociology and Spanish Literature at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Studying abroad in Granada, Spain and interning at the World Trade Center in Denver with the Latin American Trade Specialist were highlights of her undergraduate career. Kimberly worked in marketing before moving to Laramie, Wyoming to complete her Master’s in Business Administration at the University of Wyoming, where she also directed the summer session and became passionate about working with students in higher education. She later discovered a love of coaching at the Children’s Organ Transplant Association, assisting volunteers to raise funds for children who need life-saving organ transplants. A lifelong learner who loves adventure, Kimberly seeks new challenges and opportunities to grow. She enjoys spending time with family, cooking, camping, reading, working out, volunteering and spending time with her labs.

What values have shaped your career goals?

From a young age, I always knew I wanted to “help people,” a guiding principle which has led me to be a mission-driven professional throughout my career.

Michael hails from Nashville where he never learned to like country music. He did his undergraduate work in the mountains of Southwest Virginia getting his degree in Spanish: Culture Studies. During this time, he studied abroad in Costa Rica where he spent his weekends getting sunburnt, and in Peru where he got to hang out with ocelots in the Amazon. After graduation he moved to Puerto Rico and taught English at an elementary school. After two years of eating mofongo, he returned to Music City for hot chicken and sweet tea. To pay for this good food, he worked in retail and taught English to adults.

Through one of these ESL connections, Michael had the opportunity to move to Bhutan where he was the reading instructor at a private school in Thimphu. In his downtime, he hiked to the fabled Tiger’s Nest and explored various Dzongs with newfound friends. After a year in the Land of the Thunder Dragon, Michael left the Himalayas and moved to the high desert of northern Arizona to pursue an M.A. in Teaching English as a Second Language at Northern Arizona University. Michael spent his weekdays studying and teaching English Composition. His weekends and vacations were spent hiking through the desert and camping under the stars. After graduation, Michael moved back to Nashville where he was an adjunct English teacher at a community college and worked at the corporate office for a Fortune 500 company.

Michael’s passion is to help others achieve their dreams. His interests include trying new cuisine, exploring the outdoors, running, and reading.

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
— The Road Not Taken
by Robert Frost

Jenna grew up on a cattle ranch in a small town in the great state of Idaho. She received her undergraduate degree from Boise State University in Social Sciences emphasizing in Psychology and Communication. This led to her getting her master’s degree in Counseling while working part time as an academic advisor for the psychology department. After graduation, Jenna worked in a nonprofit organization in Connecticut as a mental health counselor. Before relocating to Indiana, she was very fortunate to work with the military in Southern California as a Military and Family Life Counselor. Jenna is thrilled to be a part of the Walter Center for Career Achievement and working with students along their exciting career journey. She enjoys the outdoors, traveling, anything related to Harry Potter, and spending time with her dog, Gracie, and husband, Josh.

For Angela, being a Career Educator holds a special double meaning.  She has both spent her entire career as an educator of some variety… and she is currently educating about careers!  Angela is amused that her teaching career began with her hometown Tot-Lot program helping preschoolers learn how to cut (and walk) with scissors, and now she finds herself helping college students explore and get cut out for their careers.  Along the way, Angela worked with many students of many ages on their communication skills: writing, listening, and public speaking in particular.  She has also taught education courses, supervised student teachers, and maintains a keen interest in PK-12 education issues.  These days you can find Angela working with students at IU’s Walter Center, helping them recognize and articulate the fabulousness of their Liberal Arts degrees.  Employers want them, and Angela knows how to help students connect the dots.  Angela teaches classes, coaches students, and enjoys being present with students when they contemplate and explore possibilities for their futures.

Will is a Bloomington, IN native and graduate of IU in 2007. He has lived internationally in Africa for 5 years working in developing countries including Nigeria, South Sudan, and Uganda. After returning from Africa in April 2017 he found career coaching to be a great fit for his interests and experiences. Will is excited to continue to have an impact on the world around him by helping students with their career development and discovering their passions.

He has been married to Theresa for 9 years and has a little girl, Ellie. He enjoys the outdoors, reading, and IU sports.

Rachel likes to say that she’s done a Midwest tour throughout her life having lived in Ohio, Illinois, Michigan and now Indiana. Rachel is an alumni of Miami University having graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Creative Writing in May 2015 and is now a proud Hoosier Alumni having graduated from IU with a Master of Science degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs in May 2017.

During her time in undergrad Rachel discovered the realm of student affairs immediately while working in Orientation and First Year Experience Programs and ultimately decided to pursue a career in the field. While in graduate school at IU, Rachel completed an assistantship in residence life as well as a practicum and internship with the Office of First Year Experience Programs. Throughout undergrad and graduate school Rachel loved learning about the passions and career dreams of her students which inspired her to pursue job opportunities in career services. When Rachel is not working with students she enjoys spending time with her dogs, attempting crafting projects from Pinterest and trying to relive her old dance days by taking Jazzercise classes.

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!