Meet the Team

Director and Career Navigator | Gallup Certified Strengths Coach

Top 5 CliftonStrengths: Learner | Context | Input | Intellection | Connectedness

I have the privilege of working with an incredible team of Career Navigators as we partner with faculty and staff to support students’ professional and personal growth. Having spent nine years in the CSB+SJU Career Center, my favorite part of my job is helping students reflect on who they are, explore what’s possible, and build confidence in their next steps.

Our team’s mission is to make career development an integrated part of the student experience. By embedding career milestones throughout all four years, we help students engage in self-reflection, explore interests, gain experience, and build meaningful connections with alumni and community partners. Career development is about more than finding a job. It’s about helping students connect their strengths, values, and purpose to a meaningful life and career after graduation.

When not on campus, you’ll most likely find me outdoors, reading a good book, or cooking up some tasty food!

Associate Director – Career Navigator | Bennie Alum | Gallup Certified CliftonStrengths Coach | INTG 105 Instructor 

Top 5 CliftonStrengths: Empathy – Individualization – Strategic – Discipline – Maximizer

As a Career Coach/Navigator, with 15+ years of experience in higher education, I’m passionate about helping students discover their unique strengths and navigate their college-to-career journey with confidence.

I collaborate with faculty/campus partners and meet with students individually and in workshops or class presentations to support a wide range of topics, including:

• Self Discovery (interests, strengths, values, personality)

• Choosing a Major and Exploring Careers

• Gaining Experience

• Internship/Job Search Strategies

• Application Tools (resumes, cover letters, interviewing skills)

• Connecting w/Alums and Employers

• Planning for After Graduation (job search, graduate school planning, volunteer service)

I also enjoy training and mentoring our wonderful student team of Career Mentors and building collaborative campus and community partnerships.

Let’s connect!

Associate Director – Career Navigator | Bennie Alum | Gallup-Certified CliftonStrengths Coach | INTG 105 Instructor 

Top 5 CliftonStrengths: Empathy – Achiever – Developer – Discipline – Harmony

Hi! I’m Laura, a proud Bennie (’05) and a First Gen graduate with degrees in Psychology and Sociology and a Master of Social Work. I’ve been at CSB/SJU since 2012 and I love helping students uncover their talents then find ways to connect them with meaningful goals. I’m here as an encouraging accountability partner — think of me as your career navigator + cheerleader (minus the pom-poms, but with plenty of cheesy jokes).

As a Career Navigator, I can help you explore majors, discover career paths, prepare for grad school, find ways to build experience and create professional application materials (think: resumes, interviews, and LinkedIn). I work with faculty from the Natural Sciences, but I get excited to meet with any Bennie or Johnnie!

I’m a Gallup Certified CliftonStrengths Coach, so if you’re curious about your talents and motivations, I’d love to help you explore them.

Outside of time on-campus, I’m a big fan of CSB+SJU Athletics, I’ll never say no to any kind of game or competition, and I’m a wannabe karaoke star (bring earplugs).

Why Meet with Me?

• You’re undecided or want to explore majors/careers, maybe you’ve got no idea why the liberal arts rock!

• You’re interested in a career involving health, social services, or government work.

• You’ve heard about the “Bennie/Johnnie network” but have no idea what to do to connect yourself.

• You want to know more about academic internships – or just ways to build experience, period.

• You need help with resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn or interviews.

• You’re preparing for jobs, grad school, or service programs.

• You want to explore your CliftonStrengths.

• You’d like support from a fellow Bennie who gets it!

Career Navigator | Bennie Alum | INTG 105 Instructor 

Top 5 CliftonStrengths: Empathy – Developer – Relator – Harmony – Connectedness

As a Career Navigator, and a Bennie Alum (’22), I am excited to work with students throughout their higher education journey to explore their own strengths, passions and talents, and navigate the post-college process with confidence. I specialize in supporting students in the Natural Sciences including Biology, Nutrition, and Chemistry Departments.

Through meaningful relationships, collaborative partnerships, and personalized guidance, I strive to create supportive environments where students can discover their potential and take purposeful steps toward fulfilling careers.

I look forward to meeting with you!

Career Navigator | Johnnie Alum | The Lookout (INTG 105) Instructor

Top 5 CliftonStrengths: Learner – Deliberative – Analytical – Intellection – Ideation

I am a proud Johnnie (’10) and a first-generation college student. As a Career Navigator, I can help you explore your interests and values, identify career options that spark your interest, build your professional network, and so much more! I work closely with students in the Computer Science, Environmental Studies, Data Science, Data Analytics, Mathematics, and Physics departments.

Career Navigator | INTG 105 Instructor

Top 5 Clifton Strengths: Connectedness | Adaptability | Belief | Developer | Learner

Career Navigator | INTG 105 Instructor

Top 5 Clifton Strengths: Achiever, Arranger, Learner, Developer, Responsibility

The Lookout (INTG 105) Instructor
Top 5 CliftonStrengths: Consistency – Relator – Belief – Harmony – Arranger

I am excited to be one of your guides on your True North Journey as a member of the Career Services team at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University. Our campuses are filled with opportunities to explore your interests, discover your strengths, reflect on your experiences, and build meaningful connections. I look forward to helping you navigate those opportunities as you prepare for your future.

As a Career Navigator, I strive to share essential resources and guidance for students to encourage utilization of their experiences in and out of the classroom. Whether students need assistance choosing a major, developing their first resume, or applying for an internship, they can expect our conversations to be a collaboration of ideas and useful tools. Together, we’ll integrate those resources to help create a roadmap for career exploration and prepare for the future.

When I’m not on campus, I enjoy reading, traveling and spending time on the lake with family and friends. I also believe that every morning is better with a good cup of coffee, so if you’re an early riser, I’d be happy to connect over coffee and conversation.

Career Navigator | Bennie Alum | INTG 105 Instructor

Top 5 Clifton Strengths:  Harmony – Maximizer – Consistency – Empathy – Learner

As a Career Navigator and Bennie alum (’01), my role is to help you along your True North Journey from student to professional and everything in between.  I am excited to work with students and can’t wait to get started with you!

I can assist in major and career exploration, researching internship and volunteer opportunities, connecting with faculty and alums, preparing materials for applications, developing interview skills, and more!  Whether your goal after graduation is to start your career, volunteer, or continue your education at the graduate level, I am here to offer support and guidance.  I work closely to support students in the Arts and Humanities departments, including Art, Music, Theology, History, Philosophy, Hispanic Studies, English, Strategic Communication Studies, and Individualized Majors but am excited to work with students in all fields and those who are still exploring their options.

Beyond CSB/SJU, I can be found with my nose in a book or listening to an audio version and am always excited to talk books with other readers!  I also dabble in sewing, help run family businesses, and love traveling.  Whatever your interests or aspirations, know that I am excited to work with you on your journey!

Career Mentor Student Team

We’re excited to meet with CSB+SJU students and support you throughout your professional development journey! Whether you’re just getting started or looking to polish your professional materials, we are here to help you build confidence and take the next step.

What can we help you with?

• Resumes – Creating a resume and getting personalized feedback
• Cover Letters – Creating a cover letter and getting feedback
• Handshake – Updating your profile and finding jobs, internships, and other opportunities
• Interviewing Skills – Preparing for interviews and practicing your responses
• LinkedIn – Creating your profile and getting feedback on your LinkedIn presence
• Connecting with Alums – Exploring ways to connect with CSB+SJU alumni and build your professional network

How to Meet with a Career Mentor?

• Drop in: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. at the Navigation Center – no appointment needed!

          OR

• Schedule ahead: Book an appointment through Navigate360.

Your career journey starts here! Stop by, ask questions, build your skills, and let’s work together to take your next step with confidence!