Career Corner
Class Notes
ancis
by Caroline Fr
YOUR OWN BOARD OF DIRECTORS CAN PROVIDE SUPPORT, HELP WITH CAREER DECISIONS It is no coincidence that successful corporations, as well as non-profits, have a board of directors to provide insight and expertise to help guide their strategic direction and decision-making. Similarly, choosing to engage a personal board of directors holds many benefits such as helping build connections, offering career guidance, serving as a sounding board and overall helping one gain perspective. We are each responsible for proactively managing our careers. Intentionally selecting a diverse board of directors to fill strategic roles will help pave the way to future career success. Taunya Phillips, ‘87 EN, ‘04 BE, director, UK Office of Technology Commercialization, says, “Over the course of my career, I have been in a few different groups that I have used as my ‘Personal Board of Directors.’ I have found them to be invaluable for helping me to solve workplace issues by drawing on their variety of perspectives and wealth of experience. A few times my group was instrumental in helping me make strategic career decisions.” Like the idea? Here are some tips on how to make it happen: Who to include A mentor — This person will provide guidance, be a confidant and allow you to ask questions that are perhaps awkward to ask your boss. They offer crucial feedback and overall, they want to see you succeed. They should be someone whom you can trust and would enjoy spending more time around. A target industry expert — They can share trends, know who the key players are, and will also be able to elevate your involvement with professional associations. A supporter - Someone who is your cheerleader, whom you can go to for processing difficult days. A sponsor — This board member can get you in the door for opportunities that would not come across your desk. They can offer influence and visibility. Early in my career while serving as a non-profit executive director, a donor served as an unofficial sponsor and gifted me with conference registrations and event tickets that would place me in networking situations with impactful individuals. How to build your board Reach out to people you admire — both inside and outside of your company and industry. Who are professionals in roles that you aspire to be in one day? Who has been in situations you are facing? Perhaps begin with an informational interview or coffee chat. Get to know them first and the relationship will naturally evolve. Ask what they think about various challenges you are currently facing or ideas you wish to recommend. Choose people who are diverse, who will give you honest, unbiased feedback yet be your advocate. Always end sessions by asking if there is anything you can help them with in return. Although people will roll on and off your board of directors, this is a lifelong career management tool that will continue to provide huge dividends.
Tim S. Gehring ’09 GS is a vice president for Bridge Public Affairs, a consulting firm headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was previously a senior congressional advisor and public affairs specialist with the U.S. Department of State. Robinson C. Quast ’09 ’10 BE is head of investor relations for The Kroger Co. in Cincinnati.
2010s Laura Crawford Cleary ’10 AFE, ’14 MED is a dermatologist for Erlanger Health Dermatology in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Ashley Elkus Milar ’10 ED is a fifth-grade teacher at Fort Wright Elementary School in Fort Wright. She received the 2021 Earle C. Clements Innovation in Education Award, presented annually by the National Archives and the University of Kentucky Libraries Wendell H. Ford Public Policy Research Center.
Wildcat Network is UK’s new student alumni mentoring platform. We are currently seeking alumni to serve as mentors to students and other alumni. To learn more visit: https://wildcatnetwork.com.
Justin F. Thompson ’10 EN lives in Louisville and is CEO of Iron Senergy LLC, an independent energy company that bridges fossil and renewable energy technologies.
UK Alumni Association Active and Life Members are eligible for two complimentary appointments per year with a certified career counselor. Call 859-257-8905 or 800-269 ALUM (2586) to schedule an appointment. Visit http://www.ukalumni.net/career to learn more about resume critiques, networking events, Central Kentucky Job Club, encore careers and other Alumni Career Services. To post job opportunities, employers may visit http://www.ukalumni.net/employers and email job leads to ukalumnicareer@uky.edu.
Brooke Bentle Wheatley ’10 CI is an account executive at WLEX-TV in Lexington. She also serves as an ambassador for Commerce Lexington Inc.
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Laurel B. Christensen ’11 ’13 DES is a project manager and sustainable design leader for Dyer Brown Architects in the firm’s Boston office. Elizabeth A. Combs ’12 BE, ’15 LAW is chief of staff and general counsel for Wrigley Media Group in Lexington. She has been an associate at Wilkes & McHugh PA. Clint A. Hamilton ’12 ’13 BE is a certified public accountant and assurance partner for the Tidwell Group in the firm’s Atlanta office. Hallie Hardy ’12 AFE lives in Frankfort and is a member of the Darley America Nominations Team, with a concentration on selling seasons for the Darley stallions. She had been client marketing coordinator for Darley America’s Jonabell Farm division in Lexington. Samuel J. Palmer ’12 LAW is a certified public accountant and a senior accountant for Riney Hancock CPAs in the firm’s Tax Services Division in Owensboro. Carlos Saeb Valenzuela ’12 ’17 FA lives in Buffalo, New York, teaches guitar at the Castellani Andriaccio Guitar Studio and is a board member of the Hispanic Heritage Council.
