Every Student Needs Career Services: An Interview With Heather Allen and Lisa Hanney
It’s hard to overstate the pivotal role that Career Services plays when you’re in college. Whether you’re just starting to explore academic paths or preparing to embark on your professional journey, the guidance and resources they provide are invaluable.
We had a chance to chat with Heather Allen and Lisa Hanney, two dedicated professionals from EFSC Career Services, to gain insight into their roles, the services they offer, and why every student (and alum) should take advantage of these crucial resources.
Can You Tell Us a Little About You?
Heather: I graduated from BCC in 1993 with both an A.A. degree and an A.S. degree, then ended up coming back to school in my 30s, at which point I got another A.S. degree in IT. I continued my education by earning a BAS in organizational management from UCF, followed by grad school for career and technical education.
I always knew I wanted to give back, so I ended up applying my IT skills at the Career Center as the Data Industry Coordinator. I’ve also worked on the Palm Bay and Melbourne Campuses as a GCDF-certified Career Center Coordinator. Recently, I was promoted to Assistant Director of Career Services. Now instead of being able to help 10 students a day, I get to help thousands of students every semester!
Lisa: I hated high school and never thought I would be working in higher education! Not having had career resources available, I majored in elementary education, but I was unable to find any teaching positions.
I worked in case management for five years, then graduated with a M.A. in industrial-organizational psychology from Roosevelt University in Chicago. Fast forward, and now I’ve worked in Career Services at Eastern Florida State College for five years.
What Are Three Fun Facts About You?
Heather:
- I love Harry Potter. I read all the books as they were released with my son and mother. My daughter-in-law works at Universal Studios, so I get to visit Harry Potter land whenever I want. That’s pretty awesome!
- I absolutely love animals. I have three dogs and two cats, and I love the joy they bring into my life.
- I’m very investigative. I love new things — travel, books, movies, experiences. I love change and I consider myself to be a change-maker.
Lisa:
- I have two kids in college, so that helps me to have a pulse on what’s going on right now in the world of college students.
- I’ve been a vegetarian since 1993.
- I have a sweet boxer dog named Rosie.
How Would the Career Center Have Helped You Back When You Were a Student?
Heather: I think it would have changed my life. I might have been put on a path that truly fits my personality and giving nature. If I had recognized those characteristics in myself at a younger age, I could have gone into a career where I’d have been able to give back sooner. But because of my experiences, now I can help others who are in the same position that I was — so I don’t have any regrets. I’ve always called myself a little bit of a late bloomer, but I truly believe things happen at the right time. We’re all still blooming. Bloom where you’re planted!
Lisa: Everyone told me I couldn’t do anything with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, which I now know is untrue. If I’d gone to the Career Center back then, I might have majored in psychology, even though others told me it was “too much school” and “too hard.”
How Do You Help Students at the Career Center?
Heather: The Career Center works with prospective students, current students, and alumni. We assist them through assessments and conversations, identifying career paths, and helping them decide which major to pursue. A big part of our job is teaching students how to write a good resume so they get selected for interviews. But we don’t just leave them there. We also help students practice for interviews, so they’re prepared.
Now that I’m part of Career Services’ leadership, it’s beneficial that I have experience as a Career Center Coordinator. I really understand what students need, and it makes me an empathetic leader for my team.
Lisa: Our services come in two parts. First, there’s career exploration. If students have questions about a particular career path, we can share information, show them websites, tell them what the employment projection is like, the salary, etc. We also offer career assessments, ranging from quick, five-minute interest assessments to a longer, four-part assessment. These match students with possible careers.
The second part is all about jobs, resume writing, and interview skills. We utilize Handshake, our online college job board. I love to sit down with students and show them how they can follow different companies, and you can even see other students who have worked at places like Tesla, Apple, and Google.
Do You Have a Favorite Service Offered by the Career Center?
Heather: Hosting our events! We hold two job fairs every year, as well as workshops beforehand to prepare you. If you’re a current student or an alum, you can talk to one of our 40+ employers about a job. We’ve had companies like Panera, Starbucks, and Publix attend. Employers get so excited about job fair day!
And the job fairs are also transfer fairs. If you’re interested in continuing your education but don’t know where, we always have multiple university partners at our job fairs, so you can talk to them about their different programs.
Lisa: I love when a student says, “I think I need a resume. Can you help me with that?” Some students have no work experience; this is their first resume. Other students have work experience and simply need to update their resume.
I also really love our job fairs. They’re a great opportunity for students to talk with local employers. I always encourage students to go, even if they’re not looking for a job. That’s what college is about: building on different experiences.
Have You Had an Experience With an Especially Memorable Student?
Heather: I once had a 20-year-old student come in with a parent. He had been out of high school for a bit, but he didn’t really have any goals set. His attitude was, “My mom’s making me do this.”
I talked with him privately and had him take an assessment. Afterwards, we reviewed the results, and he said, “That’s exactly what I want to do. How did the computer know?” He was a natural coder, but he didn’t know that what he considered to be a hobby could actually be a career, so he had never told anybody. He consequently signed up for classes, earned his A.S. degree in computer science, and continued with our BAS program in cybersecurity.
I ran into him at Publix not long ago, and he’s now working in cybersecurity for SpaceX. He’s so successful. It wasn’t that he lacked drive or ambition. He was just a little lost and needed somebody to listen, validate that his dream was attainable, and help him come up with some action items.
Lisa: I recently worked with a student who had just finished high school. We were looking at her resume, and she thought she had no relevant experience. As I asked her questions, she told me that she’s involved in campus clubs and had even started one — something that requires organizational skills, communication, event management, and more!
She also realized she had a lot of leadership experience because she was the lead at a local ice cream shop. I was like, “Wow, you have all these skills but didn’t even know it!” Despite not realizing those kinds of things were important, she ended up with a really professional resume.
What Would You Say to a Student Feeling a Little Intimidated About Contacting or Visiting the Career Center?
Heather: As soon as you get here, you’ll be welcomed. We’ll make you feel comfortable, or give you space if you need it. We’re not going to hover over you. If you take an assessment, you’ll have privacy, and there aren’t a lot of distractions.
You’re never a burden. You’re never bothering us. We want you to visit our centers, but if you’d prefer not to come in, that’s okay, too. We can always arrange a phone call or Microsoft Teams meeting instead!
Lisa: We’re very relaxed here. There’s nothing formal about it. It’s just a conversation:
“Tell me where you are in college. Or are you in high school? What’s one of your favorite classes?”
Sometimes we even have candy!
What’s Your Favorite Thing About Working at the Career Center?
Heather: The number one thing is that I get to help people. I want to empower you and help you see the opportunities ahead of you. I want to help open your eyes to your assets; many students don’t realize what they have inside of them. Probably the biggest thing I’ve learned is that everyone is different, and I can learn something from everyone I encounter.
Lisa: I love working with our diverse populations, getting out of the office, visiting classrooms and high schools, and giving workshops about resume writing and interviewing skills.
What Message Would You Like To Give EFSC Students?
Heather: Every student needs Career Services. Students often leave our offices saying, “Wow, you really helped me.” They have these eye-opening experiences, and their attitude completely changes. Then suddenly, they’re bringing their friends over — because they learned so much about themselves and want their friends to have that same experience. That speaks volumes about Career Services.
Lisa: My biggest tip for students is to get involved in college. Think about building your skills now: join a club, volunteer, or get a job.
What Comes Next?
Remember: Career Services isn’t just a support system but a cornerstone of success for students at EFSC. Their passion for empowering students, coupled with the comprehensive resources they offer, underscores the pivotal role they play in shaping futures.
So, whether you’re charting your course or recalibrating your path, keep in mind that the door to opportunity is always open at Career Services. Embrace it, explore it, and let it guide you toward a future filled with promise and potential. Your journey starts here!
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