Carolina Alumni Review - January/February 2012

Careers

GAA Staff

Administration Doug Dibbert ’ 70, president doug_dibbert@unc.edu; 962–7050

Steve Shaw ’ 82, director of finance & administration steve_shaw@unc.edu; 962–3599

Lisa Beers, controller lisa_beers@unc.edu; 962–3575

Linwood Blalock, mail room, 962–3979 MaryCatherine Kurzenski, alumni center coordinator marycatherine_kurzenski@unc.edu; 962–7052 Susan Lane, accounting assistant susan@gaa.unc.edu; 843–8974

Tom May, printshop coordinator tom_may@unc.edu; 962–3741

Elizabeth Morgan, telephone receptionist, 962–1208 Emily Wooten ’04, assistant to the president emily_wooten@unc.edu; 962–7051

Communications Regina Oliver ’ 75, editor and director of communications regina_oliver@unc.edu; 962–7056

Kate Newton Anthony, art director kate_anthony@unc.edu; 962–3572

Sarah McCarty Arneson ’ 96, associate art director sarah_arneson@unc.edu; 962–4794

David Brown ’ 75, senior associate editor david_brown@unc.edu; 962–7057

Dave Drake ’ 92, online coordinator dave_drake@unc.edu; 843–9712

Harry Kaplowitz ’07, marketing coordinator harry_kaplowitz@unc.edu; 962–1276

Keith King ’ 82, associate editor keith_king@unc.edu; 962–3903

Andrea Saye ’08, advertising account representative andrea_saye@unc.edu; 962–8820

Membership Stephanie Miller’ 83, director of membership stephanie_miller@unc.edu; 962–7058

Mike Dempsey ’ 11, coordinator of membership services mike_dempsey@unc.edu; 962–3577

Diana Koonce ’02, coordinator of membership administration diana_koonce@unc.edu; 843–0151

Programs Rick Davis ’ 85, director of enrichment programs rick_davis@unc.edu; 962–3581

Ann-Louise Aguiar ’ 76, manager of alumni education & travel ann-louise_aguiar@unc.edu; 962–3574

Kat Butler ’07, coordinator of student programs kat_butler@unc.edu; 962–7053

Linda Conklin, manager of alumni career services linda_conklin@unc.edu; 962–3749

C. Hawkins ’00, coordinator of student membership c_hawkins@unc.edu; 962–7054

Steffi Kinton ’05, coordinator of alumni education & travel steffi_kinton@unc.edu; 962–0313

Steve McQuaid ’09, programs assistant steve_mcquaid@unc.edu; 843–5115

Tanea Pettis ’ 95, manager of affinity activities & alumni admissions programs tanea_pettis@unc.edu; 843–9694

Casey Privette ’01, coordinator of alumni clubs casey_privette@unc.edu; 962–6705

Linda Rainey ’ 95 (MA), manager of alumni activities linda_rainey@unc.edu; 962–3576

Laura Sheppard ’08, coordinator of Homecoming & affinity reunions laura_sheppard@unc.edu; 843–5115

Records and Information Systems Roger Nelsen, director of alumni records & information systems roger_nelsen@unc.edu; 962–7055

Emilee Brown, records assistant emilee_brown@unc.edu; 962–4412

Tracy Chrismon, records assistant tracy_chrismon@unc.edu; 962–3737

Kelly Dalton ’07, records assistant kelly_dalton@unc.edu; 962–4412 Starla Glenn, records assistant starla_glenn@unc.edu; 962–3584

Julie Gonya, network administrator julie_gonya@unc.edu; 962–5788

Rachel Orr, records assistant rachel_orr@unc.edu; 962–3739

Joan Pendergraph, assistant director of alumni records joan_pendergraph@unc.edu; 962–3580

Kemesha D. Stanley ’08, records assistant kemesha_stanley@unc.edu; 962–3738 Meredith Tozzer ’09, records assistant meredith_tozzer@unc.edu; 962–3586

Create the Change You Want
to Reach Your Career Goals

your career, your life

Ajourney of a thousand miles begins with a single step. This timeless advice from Chinese philosopher Lao-Tzu is applicable whether you want to start, change or advance your career. It is a matter of deciding what you want and then taking deliberate action to reach your goal.

When embarking on a major life change, it is not unusual to become paralyzed by the details. The key to success is small, sustained steps every day that will move you forward. Begin by getting an accurate picture of your situation. Where are you, and where do you want to be? Focus energy on the items needed to close the gaps between the present and the future. Do you need more education, experience, training, information, support? What specific action this week can start moving you toward that goal? Do it. Here are a few ideas:

■ Join a professional organization. Connect with people engaged in the kind of work that you want to do. Leverage membership in the group by taking an active role: serve on a committee; plan an event; create a website. Ask other members about their careers. What steps did they take to get where they are today? What do they believe it takes to be successful? What advice would they give someone who wants to get into this field?

■ Get involved with a community project. Look for opportunities to try out some new skills or perfect those you have. For example, if you are interested in fundraising, you could work on a campaign for a nonprofit organization. If you are interested in project management, you might organize a food drive for your church. Or if you want to teach, you could explore creating a class for the local library or volunteering at a school.

■ Make sure your skills are current. Are you adept at using Microsoft Word and the Internet? Do you know how to use LinkedIn to expand your network? Are you up-to-date on the latest software for your industry? If not, plan how you are going to overcome these obstacles.

■ Be curious. Get out of your comfort zone. Expand your horizons and contacts. Learn something new or have an adventure. What have you always wanted to do but have never done? What opportunities are available right now? How can you take advantage of them? Remember: To risk nothing is to risk everything.

■ Shake things up. Find a new way to do things. If what you are doing is not getting the results you want, get creative and try another strategy. Make something happen; don’t wait for someone else to do it for you. Take a deep breath and redouble your efforts. What one thing can you do that will yield the most results?

■ Live your life now. Focus on what you want, and find ways to get more of it. If you are unhappy with your present job, find ways to improve it or start looking for a new job, company or culture that will give you what you need.

■ Forget about trying to plan your entire life today. We live in a world of change, complexity and challenge. Even the best choices can be affected by things beyond your control — look at the global, economic and personal effects resulting from the ongoing banking crisis. Be prepared to change, modify and tweak your plans as you are presented with new opportunities and challenges.

■ Be strategic. Seek out opportunities that
allow you to connect, explore and grow.
Don’t attach to one outcome. And don’t
limit your options without seriously
challenging basic assumptions, including
the salary and where you might need to
move for the job. If you truly want to
make a change, you will have to change
something to achieve your goals. ;
LINDA
CONKLIN

Linda Conklin, GAA manager of Alumni Career Services, provides career coaching and monthly teleclasses. The Feb. 20 teleclass will be “The Personal Commercial.” Find her advice and career-related information at alumni.unc.edu/career. Contact her at linda_conklin@unc.edu or (919) 962–3749.