The University Career Services Center will have a new executive director this July after a national search ended with a native Houstonian.
Monica Thompson, who has served as the assistant director of internal operations at the McCombs BBA Career Services center at the University of Texas since 2005, was selected from a pool of more than 80 applicants.
During her time at the University of Texas, Thompson implemented programs to help minority students network with employers, created a volunteer program to support 780 mock interviews and lectured for a career strategies course that taught job search strategies to over 1,300 students each year.
“Monica will bring a new vision and sense of collaboration to career services with the professional experience to enhance the programs and services provided to our students and alumni,” said Daniel Maxwell, associate vice chancellor for student affairs.
Maxwell, who led the semester-long search, also pointed to her familiarity with the city of Houston as a strong point.
“As a native Houstonian, Monica’s understanding of the city of Houston, its relationship with the University of Houston and her commitment to building collaborative relationships on and off campus bode well for UCS in reaching its vision of being the premier career services provider at UH,” Maxwell said.
The UCS coordinates on-campus recruitment for the University and serves as the point of contact for internship, part-time employment and work-study postings.
Kaitlyn Redmond, a senior supply chain management major, credits Bauer’s Rockwell career center to her ability to meet employers, and says that the hire is a positive step for the University.
“I think having a new director from the UT business school is a step in the right direction,” Redmond said.
“She probably has some insights from UT that can improve current career services at UH.”
While Redmond doesn’t use the University Career Services Center, she says it is important to understand how to use the resources that are available to students.
“It would help if students learned about how to use the website,” Redmond said.
“Learning it in a class they have to take ensures all students are exposed to the site so they not only know how to use it, but so they can learn the various ways it can help them.”
Congrats Monica. We’ll miss you at UT.