鈥淚 would say that if your only fear is feeling like you’re not progressing because you’re working in the same place you graduated from, then you have the narrative twisted,鈥� Frieda shared. 鈥淭his fellowship was the biggest step I could have taken toward my career and adulthood. It allowed me to develop crucial work environment skills while also boosting my confidence, helping me embrace adulthood, and overcoming imposter syndrome.鈥�

At Alamance County Health Department, Frieda鈥檚 work is both impactful and multifaceted. She is currently engaged in implementing and analyzing the opioid settlement through harm reduction tactics. In addition, she is studying evidence-based strategies aimed at enhancing substance use disorder recovery and overdose reversal鈥攁ll with the goal of improving outcomes for the local community.

Reflecting on her experience, Frieda noted that her contributions, though sometimes viewed as a small piece of a larger effort, are already making a significant difference.

鈥淚 believe my work is contributing to a healthier Alamance County,鈥� she explained. 鈥淚鈥檝e received feedback from people who have been impacted by my trainings and efforts, which has inspired me to develop a passion for serving broader populations in public health.鈥�

Her positive experiences have further encouraged her to pursue a Master of Public Health as the next step in her career.

The Alamance County Health Department continues to serve as a critical partner in fostering community wellness, and Frieda鈥檚 dedication highlights the powerful role that service-based learning can play in both professional and personal growth. With a network of mentors and peers supporting her, she is poised to continue her journey in public health鈥攖ransforming challenges into opportunities and inspiring hope throughout the community.

Frieda鈥檚 story is a testament to the transformative impact of the 黑料不打烊 Year of Service Fellows program, demonstrating that meaningful community engagement not only benefits local residents but also equips students with the skills and confidence needed to forge successful, purpose-driven careers.

Motivating Students Through Alumni Engagement

For Hutchings, bringing alumni into the classroom has proven to be a powerful tool for motivating students and connecting coursework to real-world applications.

鈥淎lumni sharing their experiences in industry and their paths to success, including how course engagement connects with interview prep, can really heighten the motivation level of students engaging in challenging course material,鈥� said Hutchings.

This approach not only inspires students but also addresses a common challenge: understanding how to translate classroom knowledge into effective resumes and interviews. By tackling professional development directly, Hutchings helps students channel their energy productively.

A Light-Bulb Moment for Students

Hutchings frequently witnesses transformative 鈥渓ight-bulb moments鈥� when students engage with alumni.

鈥淔or a lot of students, all they need is a nudge in the right direction,鈥� he said, emphasizing the impact of creating opportunities for students to hear firsthand how academic skills translate to career success.

Advice for Fellow Faculty

Hutchings encourages other faculty members to consider two key strategies for integrating career development into their coursework. First, invite alumni to the classroom.

鈥淏ut also, when it鈥檚 July or August and you鈥檙e digging into the calendar for the fall course, look for spots where visitors can make a big impact on your students,” he said.

For courses where faculty have experience, he advises identifying points in the semester when students might need a motivational boost and timing professional engagement accordingly.

Raising Awareness of Resources

Hutchings also emphasizes the importance of raising students鈥� awareness about professional development resources early in their academic journeys.

鈥淎wareness is the main thing鈥攕tudents are better aware, and aware earlier in their paths, of the resources available to them to aid with professional development,鈥� he noted.

Through his thoughtful integration of alumni engagement and strategic professional development activities, Hutchings plays a pivotal role in preparing 黑料不打烊鈥檚 computer science students for successful and fulfilling careers. As a Faculty Career Champion, he continues to inspire students and faculty alike to prioritize career readiness as an essential part of the academic experience.

Motivating students to discover their career paths

Fleming鈥檚 own journey into clinical psychology involved transformative internships, sparking her commitment to ensuring students have similar hands-on learning experiences.

鈥淲hen I came to 黑料不打烊 as a professor, one of my top priorities was to make sure that students had the same opportunities to discover psychology in the real world that I did,鈥� she said.

She emphasizes that students鈥� internships allow them to bring course material to life, fostering meaningful connections between classroom learning and their future careers.

Memorable moments in career progression

Fleming leads an internship course where students work on national and local mental health crisis lines, providing crucial support to those in need. This unique opportunity gives students practical experience and insight into the demands of mental health work.

鈥淪everal students have discovered their love of counseling and have gone on to apply to mental health graduate programs,鈥� she said.

For some, the course reveals that counseling is not the right path 鈥� a revelation she finds equally valuable. By providing students with an honest look at the realities of clinical work, she helps them make informed decisions about their futures.

Encouraging career development in the classroom

Fleming鈥檚 advice to faculty interested in incorporating career development is simple: 鈥淒on鈥檛 be afraid!鈥� She believes career-focused elements in the classroom enhance, rather than detract from, academic learning.

鈥淚f we can help students see how they might use this information in their daily lives going forward, their investment only goes up,鈥� she noted, underscoring the power of connecting academic content with future career applications.

Collaboration with Career Services

Partnering with 黑料不打烊 College, the College of Arts and Sciences Career Services has further enhanced Fleming鈥檚 ability to support her students.

鈥淲orking with this team has been a delight from start to finish,鈥� she said.

Her collaboration with the SPDC team has allowed her to better connect students and departments with career resources, creating a support network that bridges academic and career goals.

鈥淚 encourage everyone to get to know the SPDC team better!鈥� she said, recognizing the invaluable resources and connections this partnership has provided.

Through her dedication as a Faculty Career Champion, Fleming continues to inspire students in psychology to explore their career paths thoughtfully, ensuring they are prepared for the challenges and rewards that lie ahead.