Sharing a glimpse into the office of Career Services and who we are
We spend a lot of time spotlighting different students and employers that are important to us, but we wanted to do something a little different and share with you who we are! In this post we will be featuring all of our Career Coordinators and sharing why they love doing what they get to do (plus, see which character from "The Office" they identify with).
Candace Phillips
1. What is your degree in and where did you receive it from?
I have a Master of Science in Management from UAH and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Auburn University.
2. What brought you to working at Career Services at UAH?
After undergrad, I moved to Huntsville to work in a communications and public relations role for the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences. I spent my days traveling to community colleges and high schools to speak about careers in forensics. I enjoyed doing that for more than 3 years and then applied to be a Career Coordinator for the UAH College of Science and College of Nursing. It just seemed like a natural fit for me. The rest is history!
3. What is your favorite part of working at Career Services?
Our team is pretty special. I love our student workers and the professional staff so much. We couldn't provide any of the amazing services and events we offer if it weren't for their hard work and dedication to the UAH community.
4. What is your favorite part of UAH?
My husband graduated from UAH too; so we love supporting the Charger's athletic programs. There aren't many hockey games that you won't see us, and our three kids, cheering and throwing chuck-a-puck's at the VBC.
5. If you were one character from "The Office" who would you be?
I can't pick just one... I think I'm a healthy combination of Jim Halpert and Michael Scott. I love a good prank and to sit back and laugh like Jim, but I'm probably more like Michael- a little nutty and over-the-top, but my heart is in the right place.
6. What is your favorite Christmas movie and why?
That's tough. "Christmas Vacation" is a staple in my house, but I also have "A Christmas Story" on loop between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Both are classics!
Brittney Scott
1. What is your degree in and where did you receive it from?
Bachelor of Business Administration in Professional Management with a Concentration in Human Resources from the University of North Alabama.
2. What brought you to working at Career Services at UAH?
Through my own college experiences, I discovered the passion I have for higher education. Immediately after I graduated with my undergraduate degree, I accepted a position as an Admissions Counselor at UAH. From there my love for UAH and its students grew. After working in admissions for a while, I made the decision to pursue a position in Career Services. With my past experience of working in an HR office while in college, combined with my passion of higher education I thought Career Services was an excellent fit for me.
3. What is your favorite part of working at Career Services?
My favorite part of working in Career Services is getting the opportunity to help students grow and achieve the goals they have set for themselves. I chose a career in higher education because I wanted to make an impact on students’ lives the way mine had been positively impacted when I was in college. I was a first generation college student so I know first-hand how important it is for students to be offered opportunities for mentoring and professional development during their time in college. I love the team I work with in Career Services because I know we all understand the importance of what we do and we genuinely want to do everything we can to see our students succeed.
4. What is your favorite part of UAH?
My favorite part of UAH is the relationships I have made and the different people I have met during my time here. Within higher education you have to collaborate with many different people and departments on campus. We all have our individual roles and departments, but we also all have similar goals and motives. It is a beautiful thing to witness different people coming together to form a cohesive team to achieve a common goal.
5. If you were one character from "The Office" who would you be?
Based on characters from "The Office," I think I would be a mix between Andy Bernard and Karen Filippelli.
6. What is your favorite Christmas movie and why?
I actually have two favorite Christmas movies. It doesn’t seem like Christmas until I watch "The Polar Express." In my opinion it is a very well made movie and is fun for the whole family to watch. When I am in the mood for a good cry and I am by myself, I love watching "The Christmas Shoes." This movie reminds me that small acts of kindness can make a huge impact on someone’s life.
Chris Smith
1. What is your degree in and where did you receive it from?
I graduated with honors from Alabama A&M University where I received a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.
2. What brought you to working at Career Services at UAH?
Prior to making the transition to Higher Education, I worked in the field of Training & Development for nearly 10 years. I truly enjoyed being able to facilitate the learning process, along with having the opportunity to develop my employees to achieve success within the organization. Outside of organizational development, I would find myself speaking with quite a few of the younger employees about their educational and career goals as I felt this was really important for their personal growth. Over time, I found that the type of work that I was doing wasn’t as personally fulfilling as it once was, but working with individuals guiding and advising on career and education options was something that was. So, I decided that moving into Higher Education would be the best way to find the level of career enjoyment that I wanted/needed. Around the time that I made this decision, the position here in Career Services became available. While professionally I’d never worked in Higher Ed, let alone Career Services, I actually did have a background of it from working as a student employee at Alabama A&M. For about a year and a half during my undergrad years, I’d worked in the office of Career Development Services there. I felt that specifically making the transition to Career Services combined the elements of what I enjoyed doing, training and development, with a desire to do work that was meaningful to the lives of individuals.
3. What is your favorite part of working at Career Services?
Working in Career Services affords me the opportunity to see students achieve things that they thought were unattainable. There’s this moment, similar to the lightbulb or “Aha!” moment, when you can see the confidence in someone grow; that their belief in self has reached a new level. It’s these moments that make the work worth doing.
4. What is your favorite part of UAH?
The people that I get the opportunity to interact with. Whether it’s the team within the office, partners from across campus, or the students that I interact with, I enjoy the community that UAH has built.
5. If you were one character from "The Office" who would you be?
I’ve never seen an episode of "The Office." However, I have been told that I am Stanley. I am not sure if this is a good thing or bad thing though.
6. What is your favorite Christmas movie and why?
"Home Alone" or "Home Alone 2." What kid doesn’t wish to be left alone at home with free rein for days upon end? And if during the course, you get to be mischievous and stop bad guys? Yep, sounds like a great movie to me!
Sumer Swaim
1. What is your degree in and where did you receive it from?
My undergraduate degree is in Family & Consumer Science with a concentration in Child and Family Studies. I am also pursuing my Master in Management with a concentration in Human Resources.
2. What brought you to working in Career Services at UAH?
I came to Career Services by way of UAH Admissions.
3. What is your favorite part of working at Career Services?
Working with the students! I love getting know our students, and hearing about their career aspirations.
4. What is your favorite part of UAH?
My favorite part of UAH would have to be how talented our students are. Not just academically, but so many of them are able to play instruments, paint, draw, and the list goes on. We truly have the best and brightest here at UAH!
5. If you were one character from "The Office" who would you be?
Dwight.
6. What is your favorite holiday movie and why?
I love all things Christmas, so it is hard for me to pick just one! If I had to pick just one, I would say "Elf." I love that it encompasses all things Christmas.
Laura Taylor
1. What is your degree in and where did you receive it from?
I have a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Communications from Florida Southern College and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Samford University.
2. What brought you to working in Career Services at UAH?
After I graduated college, my first job was as a Hall Director at FSC. I'd never really thought about higher education as my career path before, but I quickly realized I had a passion for working with students. After working a few different student-services centered roles in Higher Ed and pursuing my master's degree in education, I knew I wanted to stay in the field when we moved to Huntsville for my husband's job. I'd heard great things about UAH and was lucky that the timing of the move aligned with the open position in Career Services.
3. What is your favorite part of working at Career Services?
Watching the students achieve their goals. Let's be honest--there's no way that I could ever accomplish some of the amazing career-related things UAH students do, but I love being able to help them get there.
4. What is your favorite part of UAH?
The people. Supportive coworkers make coming in to work fun and dedicated students make what we do worth it. The novelty of seeing a rocket outside my office window is pretty great too.
5. If you were one character from "The Office" who would you be?
Probably Pam. I can be shy at first, but I'm always up for harmless office hi-jinxes.
6. What is your favorite holiday movie and why?
"Christmas Vacation"! As much as I don't want to admit it at times, it's relatable, and just as funny each time I watch it.
Our professional staff is always here and ready to help with anything that you may need. Now that you’ve gotten to know us a little better, we hope you will give us a visit and let us assist you with any career related needs.
Happy Holidays!
