By Hunter Mills

For today’s post, I had the pleasure of interviewing Halley Chavey, Lauren Masty, and Michaella Wood. Both Halley and Lauren graduated form UD in 2013, while Michaella recently graduated from the University of Michigan. Here, the three share their experiences founding their own event planning company, The Backyard, while balancing full time jobs and transitioning to life outside of college.

Halley Chavey Photo Courtesy of The Backyard

First off, Halley, I see that you double majored in English and Spanish and got a concentration in Drama - did you ever sleep? What made you decide to pursue all three areas of study?

Halley: I did sleep, but sometimes less than I wanted to. Didn’t we all have that problem at UD, though? I always knew I wanted to major in English but didn’t know what else I wanted to do. I added Spanish when I realized I was finishing my last required semester and I was going to be sad to be done. I had fallen in love with the language. Drama—I always loved being a part of the shows at UD and dabbled in some of the courses. When the concentration became available my senior year, I was already almost done with it and decided to go the extra mile and finish it up (a lot of work, but I’m so glad I did). Drama classes taught me presentation skills, teamwork, and creativity in a practical way. I’d highly recommend at least one class for anyone who wants to work in business or sales. It might sound crazy, but after you take Basic Staging you’ll know what I’m talking about. 

Congratulations on starting your own business! What inspired you to set out on your own?

Michaela: I have always thrived when I get to take ownership of my work and be creative in how I plan and execute assignments. This preference carries over naturally into the idea of having my own business, as I can make decisions each and every day regarding how to spend my time, how to prioritize, and the direction I want to head. 

Michaella Wood. Photo courtesy of The Backyard.

Is there a particular book, class, or professor that has continued to inspire your professional life?

Halley: I know I mentioned this earlier, but Basic Staging taught me more about sales, presentation, running a business, and project management than any other class. Running an event has uncanny similarities to producing a show, technically speaking, but it was more than that. The skills I learned in that class can be applied to many areas in business and have really given me an edge as far as pushing business development and getting people on board with this idea. 

Lauren: My marketing teacher, Dr. Laura Serviere-Munoz, was really helpful to us as we were first getting started. Her experience in the workforce, and willingness to share her knowledge was invaluable. She was so supportive. We were very lucky to have her help. 

Lauren Masty. Photo courtesy of The Backyard.

Do you have any other jobs besides running your own business? 

Lauren: Yes, we all have full time jobs. The Backyard is something that we come home to and are excited to work on each day.  

So, tell me about what you do full time.

Halley: I’m a Business Development Manager at o9 Solutions, a software start-up focused on increasing business efficiency through integrated planning solutions. I develop a list of target contacts, discuss the software solutions with them, and serve as the initial point of contact from o9 as well as perform the initial software demonstration. 

Michaela: I work as an Implementation Coordinator for Reasoning Mind, a non-profit organization that develops a web-based math curriculum for students in grades 2-6. As an Implementation Coordinator, I work with teachers whose classes are using the program to ensure that they feel comfortable with all aspects of the program and can implement it in a way which is maximally beneficial for student growth.

Lauren: I work in Advertising Sales for Suburban Parent Magazine. I use both inside and outside sales to form relationships with local and national businesses who become advertisers in our magazine.

Those are pretty impressive positions - what do you think helped you land them?

Halley: My background in Drama (which taught me sales skills and presentation) and English (which taught me strong writing and communication skills) was perfect for this job. UD also taught me how to think, and learn quickly, so that has helped me immensely.

Michaela: My background in mathematics definitely aided me in getting this job. Although it was not a job requirement, it helped because I was comfortable working with data and explaining the methodology behind the curriculum.

Lauren: My leadership roles at UD and the creation of The Backyard really helped me get this job. I had never really worked in sales, but I had experience pitching The Backyard to potential clients and soliciting donations for UD clubs. Starting my own company was quite the addition to my resume.

How have the skills you have learned in your full time jobs helped you in your entrepreneurial endeavors?

Michaela: I have definitely learned a lot about how to work with all sorts of personalities. I work with over 100 teachers at 11 schools in Dallas ISD, and as you can imagine there are lots of different work and communication styles among that group. This has helped me in our work at The Backyard as we interact with a huge range of different types of clients as well as their friends and families.

Lauren: My job has taught me how to better understand my clients. Because I speak and interact with strangers all day, I’ve gotten better at reading people, even if it’s just on the phone. This makes addressing the needs and desires of my Backyard clients and all those involved in their event much easier.

Have you ever thought about starting your own business? Let us know in the comments! You can also like our page on Facebook to find out about upcoming interviews, events, and other information to help you in your job search.

For today’s post, I have the pleasure of sharing an interview with Sarah Jane Semrad. If you don’t already know who she is, Sarah Jane is a UD alum now working for North Texas radio station KXT 91.7. She took the time to tell us about her experience attending UD and how it has shaped her career. She will be speaking during the Professional Viewpoints panel on careers in the creative arts September 18^th. Grab a cup of coffee, turn your radio dial to 91.7 (or stream online here), and check out what she has to say below!

HM: Let’s start with one of the most important questions for a UD alum – what’s your favorite UD tradition?

SJS: Roaming Rome, of course! What could be more amazing?

You were a Chemistry major, but you’ve had an exciting career in the creative arts. How has your choice of major influenced your career?

First of all, just attending UD gave me a certain set of skills I don’t think I would have gotten anywhere else - how to travel, to read, to think critically and, most importantly, how to write. The chemistry degree in particular honed an ability to pay close attention to detail and be absolutely meticulous in note taking, follow through and execution. Precision is what I learned with my degree. This has served me well. Starting a couple of nonprofits wasn’t easy, but with a careful attention to detail, anything is possible.

Editor’s note: visit www.lareuniontx.org and www.artconspiracy.org to see the nonprofits Sarah Jane started.

It can be hard for students and young professionals to conceptualize what different careers really entail, so give our readers a glimpse into your work life. It's 10:00 a.m. on a Monday morning - what are you doing?

I sit at a computer most of the day: coordinating, communicating and executing strategies. I keep my desk meticulous and make sure I have a running list of what’s next going at all times. Outlook calendar is my best friend. Right now, I’m working on a fall fundraising campaign, our Holiday Concert Series, Index Music Festival and we’re even in the early phase of planning Summer Cut, our music festival. 

                          Photo Courtesy of Sarah Jane Semrad

What class at UD has had the greatest impact on your life post-graduation?

About mid-way through my UD years, I had a moment when I thought I wanted to study philosophy but felt I was too far down the science track to switch majors. Ultimately, [that experience] has sent me on a path to study philosophy and mysticism on my own as a life long area of interest. 

If you could give your college-aged self one piece of advice, what would it be?

Enjoy this time. Really soak it in. Study hard but also get in the habit of going for a long walk every day. 

What do you find most challenging about having a career in the creative arts?

It is awfully challenging, from funding to just getting people to show up to stuff. It’s uphill at lot of the time.  Sometimes I have to remind myself that for all of Dallas’ lack of mountains, big starry skies and bodies of water, I’m here to make my city a better place to live in. I’ve got kids and family here and while I’m residing in Dallas, I’m committed to making it a fun, creative place. 

Ok, you work at KXT so I have to ask: what is your favorite band?

Not a good question to ask. It seems like it changes every single day. SO many amazing musicians come through the studio and every time I think “Ok, now THAT was amazing”… until the next time a band comes through. Some of my go-to bands on a road trip might be Other Lives, Delta Spirit, Portugal. The Man, Little Green Cars, Passion Pit, Miike Snow. Too many. Not a good question for a radio girl. :)

In conclusion, I know you are responsible for a number of amazing events at KXT. Any coming up that you want our readers to know about?

Index Music Festival is Oct 18-19 with Andrew Bird, Girl Talk, The Kopecky Family Band and soooo many more amazing acts.  

It was wonderful getting to interview Sarah Jane – you won’t want to miss her and the rest of the creative arts panel discussion this Wednesday. RSVP on Facebook to stay up to date with the latest event information. See you there!

By Hunter Mills

Last Wednesday, UDOPCD invited members of the UD community interested in careers in the creative arts to attend a Professional Viewpoints panel. The panelists made for an impressive cast:

• John Buxton (Owner, Shango Galleries, ArtTrak.com, and Buxton Appraisal Authentication and Consulting Services)
• Catherine Cody (Special Events and Volunteer Relations Manager, Dallas Museum of Art)
• Tom Huckabee (Independent Filmmaker and Screenwriting Teacher)
• Kim Kolker (Gallery Director and Office Manager, Shango Galleries; International Society of Appraisers Accredited Fine Art Appraiser)
• Kelly Maher (Senior Video Producer, Cambium Learning Group)
• Sarah Jane Semrad (Marketing and Membership Manager, KXT 91.7) - see our interview with Sarah Jane here

The mood in the Art History auditorium was invigorating as panelists urged the young artists in attendance to stay true to their passion. Throughout the Professional Viewpoints events last week, panelists encouraged students to focus on gaining experience, whether that be an internship, volunteer work, or an entry-level job. While the creative arts panelists certainly agreed that these types of experience are important, there was a greater emphasis on cultivating self-awareness: “Invest in yourself and figure out who you are … you’re not going to show up to an interview and be fabulous if you don’t know who you are,” said Sarah Jane Semrad. The panelists were more likely to suggest taking risks and trying new things with your time in college, rather than a concrete formula of internships and volunteer work. Instead of interning, Semrad told the audience that she used her summers to do “really magical, important things.”

Photo Courtesy of chrissy.farnan

Many of the panelists have had wild careers filled with interesting turns. Kim Kolker began as a teacher, but quickly learned that the profession was not for her. Sarah Jane Semrad’s first job post-college was in a cheese puff laboratory – a job that, according to her, lasted “exactly three weeks.” Kelly Maher’s creative career took a sharp turn into corporate life. She gave students some valuable perspective on career shifts like hers: “Sometimes you take these detours … but you land in a situation where you’re going to be presented with certain experiences [to help your career in art].”  Tom Huckabee recounted the trajectory of his career as a filmmaker in a story that is itself worthy of being turned into a film.

“We didn’t apply for this job. We just invented it.” – Sarah Jane Semrad

For students considering relocating after graduation, John Buxton advised that they connect with museums, galleries, and auction houses as soon as they arrive in their new city. Making face-to-face contact with creative professionals is key. “Immerse yourself and expose yourself to those people and those environments,” urged Kelly Maher. Cathy Cody proposed that a good strategy for making those connections is to use social media in a non-invasive way. For example, young professionals can use LinkedIn to identify commonalities between themselves and people of interest. That opens the door for you to send a brief email that could land you a meeting over coffee. Cody stressed that this type of networking is not about sending out your resume – it’s about building relationships and learning from successful people. Attendees were given a chance to do just that, as the event concluded with the chance to speak one on one with panelists in an informal setting.

Did you attend Professional Viewpoints? What was the most important thing you learned?  Tell us in the comments below!

Start your day off right with our Morning Minute - a quick intro to one of the exciting job leads we can connect you to this week. 

Today’s pick is:

Great Hearts Academies - Teachers for 2014-2015 School Year

Great Hearts Academies will be interviewing juniors, seniors, and graduates on campus February 6th and 7th. Space is limited. Please sign up here to reserve your place.

Want to learn more? Stop by Augustine 132 or call 972.721.5131

By Hunter Mills

Amanda Poulin graduated from the University of Dallas in 2011. Originally from Springfield, Massachusetts, she now lives in Jeju City, South Korea where she teaches English with EPIK. We had a cross-continental conversation via email and Amanda shared her insights into starting a career in education.

Photo courtesy of Amanda Poulin

Let’s start with your undergraduate career. You majored in English with a concentration in American Politics. What aspect of those two disciplines most attracted you?

Well originally, I was going to be a Politics major, and I just kept taking on English electives because I enjoyed them. Politics attracted me because I loved seeing how philosophical ideas played out in history. Fiction, on the other hand, is like seeing how ideas play out in individual personalities and circumstances. Studying literature and politics has given me a little of both sides of the cultural coin.

In 2012, you traveled to Belarus to get your CELTA from the University of Cambridge. Did you know anybody who had gone through this program or did you learn about it from your own research?

Initially, I did my own research to find it. I was attracted to those posters around UD that offered certificates in teaching ESL. The CELTA is an internationally recognized certificate that offered me more long-term and universal ESL teaching credentials.

You just signed a contract to teach English in Korea for another year. I take it that means you are enjoying yourself! What is your favorite part about living in Korea?

I’m particularly lucky in my job placement. I live on Jeju Island to the south of the mainland. This is where Koreans and Chinese go for their vacations. There are some downsides to being on an island, but the easy access to nature here is really amazing. In the summer, the beaches are within a 30-minute bus ride and there’s plenty of hiking trails around the island. But my favorite part has to be the time I’ve had to invest in things I love. I’ve been able to study Korean, take piano lessons, do yoga, and attend a lot of music and cultural festivals.

What do you wish you had known before moving to Korea? What advice would you give other UD students considering teaching English abroad?

There’s so much, it’s hard to narrow it down! I wish I had known more about the education system here before coming. My advice would be, simply, do your research and don’t hold on too tightly to your expectations.

Do you have any plans after this contract is up?

Not plans, no. Some possibilities, maybe. But before I chose to come to Korea, I was in a job I hated because I thought it would eventually lead to a job I wanted. So I stopped worrying about the “next step,” and started focusing on doing what I love now, which was traveling and working with children again. I’ve met so many different people since I’ve moved here, so I can say this confidently now: those who don’t hold themselves back will find their vocation naturally and experience more joy in the process of discovery.

In your day-to-day teaching, is there any aspect of your UD education that you consistently draw on? 

UD professors always strove to establish good relationships with their students, even at he expense of their personal time. More than any specific thing I learned, the attitude of my professors is something I value and try to recreate in my classroom. I am so grateful to them for investing in me!

 Do you have any questions for Amanda? Leave us a comment!  You can find more tips for starting a career in education by following us on Facebook and Twitter.

UDOPCD Morning Minute

Start your day off right with our Morning Minute - a quick intro to one of the exciting job leads we can connect you to this week.  

Today’s pick is:
Teach for America - Assistant to the Executive Director

As the Assistant to the Executive Director, you will make sure the Executive Director is able to work more efficiently by providing critical administrative support, like scheduling, coordinating with staff members and outside contacts, and preparing meeting materials. You will communicate on the ED’s behalf to corps members, alumni, district personnel, high level funders, and Teach For America senior staff. You are organized, fun, have excellent customer service skills, and will report to the Chief of Staff.

Want to learn more? Stop by Augustine 132 or email career@udallas.edu