Becky Spaulding, director of alumni career and professional development who joined UTAA in 2021, has reinvented the career services program into the UT Alumni Association Center for Career Advancement.
“When I first started, it was about making sure that alumni had plenty of resources for the job search,” says Spaulding. “We were able to build upon that to make sure we’re focusing on professional development.”
UTAA introduced an alumni career program in 2011. The program was built around tailoring resources to fit a variety of demographics and proactively research resources that would be beneficial for alumni on all levels. Throughout the years, the systemwide outreach has evolved into many facets including online resources, events, assessments, one-on-one coaching and more.
Alumni come to Spaulding for many career-related solutions. She educates alumni about tactfully asking for a salary increase or additional responsibilities, as well as helping alumni explore career transitions.
“Having meaningful conversations about rediscovering their passions and interests is where I see the most impact in my position,” says Spaulding.
Amira Sakalla (Knoxville ’16) is just one of the alumni with whom Spaulding has connected. Sakalla had a diverse work background and was navigating a job search for a new career path.
“I needed help communicating how my experiences and transferable skills would make me an asset in a new industry,” says Sakalla. “Becky helped me with editing my resume to demonstrate tangible achievements to potential employers.”
Sakalla credits Spaulding and the Center for Career Advancement in helping her walk into a final interview with confidence. She learned how to show her personality and values, communicate her experiences concisely and how to make a case for her value as an employee.
Trending Technology
COVID created a shift in the way the center connects with alumni. The technology has provided a more effective way to connect, and it also helped expand the center’s reach. In addition, Spaulding saw a change in mindset and the job market.
“Since COVID, people are stepping back and considering work/ life balance,” Spaulding says.
She is also taking note of the advancements in AI and coaching alumni how to use it in the job search process. In response, Spaulding added Quincia, an AI-based platform that simulates job interviews and reviews resumes.
After her career pivoted due to a changing market in a post- COVID world, Natalie Tjaden (Knoxville ’19) reached out to Spaulding and the Center for Career Advancement for help. Tjaden was finding her way through job applications and interviews during a career change and recognized the need for professional guidance.
“Becky took time to walk through my resume and help me craft my career story while also helping me highlight what was most important for my career goals,” says Tjaden. “Becky’s expertise, understanding and professionalism helped me navigate my uncertainty and allowed me to move forward with interviews confidently.”
Flourishing Future
Most recently, UTAA worked with each campus alumni office to launch ConnectUT, an exclusive networking platform for alumni. Through this community, alumni from across the UT System can engage with others on professional development and mentorships around the world.
Further utilizing the UT family, the center has identified alumni who are experts in the field to serve as career coaches, and has hired Mary Mahoney (Knoxville ’76) as a part-time career consultant, providing opportunity for alumni to capitalize on her over four decades of experience.
For more information on the UTAA Center for Career Advancement, visit the UTAA website at alumni.tennessee.edu/career.
