Student Success Stories

So you have a Hamline degree. Now what? The options abound. Hamline's reach extends far beyond campus. Throughout their four years, Pipers participate in internships in all fields and develop contacts at leading Twin Cities' businesses and nonprofit organizations. Many of these experiences lead to full-time work beyond college. Read up on the many CDC success stories and what recent graduates are up to now!

Steven Ducatelli '13: Major/Minor: Economics/Business Administration

 In the 2011-2012 school year one of my main goals was to find an internship for the summer of 2012. I was aware of the CDC when I started my search, but I thought I didn’t need help finding an internship and that my grades and work experience would be enough. After a couple months of getting no interviews, I decided to go to the CDC to work on my resume and learn about the job fair. I worked with multiple people in the CDC but mainly Joan Ostergren on how to make myself a more appealing job candidate by working on my interview skills and highlighting the correct skills I had in my resume. I had received a couple of interviews finally and had got to the final rounds of interviews, but I still came up short in getting my ultimate goal of being offered an internship. Joan strongly pushed the idea of networking, doing informational interviews and urging that I know exactly what I wanted in an internship. I took this advice to heart and started branching out trying to make as many connections as I could, because I knew I just needed someone to give me a chance to show how successful I could be. Using the power of networking, I finally made a connection with an HR recruiter at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis through a family friend.

The first position I interviewed for I actually did not receive but Joan and the CDC staff told me to not get discouraged and to keep in touch with the Fed and within one week I had another interview. I eventually got offered an internship being a business analyst with the Fed for the summer of 2012 and had a great time and received the opportunity to apply for a full time position upon graduation. I would have never found that opportunity or continued to work that hard searching for it if it wasn’t for the help of the CDC. They care just as much as you do and will put as much work into helping a student as the student is willing to put in.

I wish I would have gone into the CDC in the fall semester rather than the second month of the spring semester. The insight and advice I received helped so much and changed how I approached the job search.

Matt Petersen '12: Major: English

For someone as passionate about communications and marketing as Matt Petersen '12, all roads lead to advertising. It is an industry, however, that can be quite difficult for new professionals attempting to get a "foot in the door". With the guidance of the Career Development Center, Matt began extensive networking and self-promotion involving countless cold calls and informational interviews--he even created several personal branding campaigns to get the attention of Minneapolis' many ad agencies.

"There were so many novel situations in this networking process where I had no idea how to go forward," Petersen said. "But all along the way, the CDC supported my every career-searching need: whether copy editing, networking advice, or simply allowing me to work through ideas in my head." Matt's year-long vocational adventure finally paid off when he was hired for a paid internship with Minneapolis advertising agency Carmichael Lynch. "It's so thrilling to finally have all of your hard work pay off," Petersen said. "But I certainly won't forget the amazing staff at the CDC and how they helped me realize this dream."

Maria Jirik '12: Major: Criminal Justice

"Before graduating from Hamline University, I was offered a job as an Executive Team Leader with Target. I was thankful that they had looked at the school I was attending, the courses I had taken, and the way I presented myself, which then led to me to this career opportunity. Because I had prepared myself, with the help of Hamline University's Career Development Center, they noticed something different in me.

I had used several services at Hamline University. I started out my Freshman year doing a career assessment and discussed with a few representatives at the CDC the desire to find the right internship and major. I also had the opportunity to take a course, called Bridges Scholar where I learned how to develop myself as a professional, interview professionals and review feedback on my performance. This led me to my internship with Twin Cities Save the Kids and the Juvenile Detention Center at Hennepin County which gave me a sense of the Criminal Justice System. By this time, I felt very confident in my ability to go out and search for a job, so I attended the Private College Job Fair in Spring of 2012, met with several employers, went through several interviews and landed a job offer with a great company!

All these services developed me from a student to a professional. I was able to see what my strengths and weaknesses were through the course I took (Bridges Scholar), receive critical feedback on my interview performance (through the Practice Interview Program) and apply all of what I have learned during the Job Fair. Those that I interviewed with noticed the great effort I put into my performance and it is because of the services I took advantage of at Hamline's Career Development Center."

 Melissa Trost '11: Major: Marketing and Psychology

 “The career development center is an amazing resource for students! They really helped me get my resume organized to target the job I was looking for! I also love the fact that I can use the CDC as an alum too.” 

Melissa transferred to Hamline in 2009 after being laid off from her position as a Marketing Director. Melissa immediately became involved with the New Student Mentor Program and worked as a student worker in several of the Student Affairs offices, including the Career Development Center, during her time at Hamline. In the fall of 2011, Melissa was able to secure a part time job at a downtown St. Paul marketing firm, just four months prior to graduation. That part time job has turned into a full time job with future growth potential in the marketing field. “I know that my professional background, combined with my degree from Hamline, is what secured this job for me.” 

Adrienne Johnsen ’10: Editorial internship, Alive Magazine

"My internship solidified my desire to pursue a career in editing and publishing after college. I was able to observe the work of other departments in the organization, but I felt like the editorial department was the best fit for me. After discovering what opportunities are available for editors, I’m really excited about beginning my career.”

 Laura Kroft ’10: Communications internship, Page Productions

"My internship shaped my future career plans because I was able to identify certain things that I enjoy doing as well as things I don’t enjoy doing... It was also good to get some professional experience to add to my resume and to get contacts for letters of recommendation and networking. It was very helpful to me personally and professionally and has already been a useful tool.”

 Haley Hopperstad '10: Major/minor: Communication Studies, French 

Haley recently completed an internship with Project Legos, a nonprofit organization whose mission is "to inspire, empower youth and community to be agents of change, social leaders and volunteers."

Haley described her experience as "exciting, moving, humbling, fun, powerful, engaging, challenging, and I can't forget hard work. But above all these things it is rewarding knowing what is at the heart of what this organization is about. It makes every task we do and work towards so worth it! I'm thrilled to be a part of Project Legos and to be positive influence and support for youth in our community!" 

 Jessy Hennesy '11: Major/minor: Economics, Political Science

Jessy entered Hamline with some volunteer activities and academic experience, but she admits she was completely overwhelmed by the idea of acquiring a job or internship.

She heard about the Bridges Scholars program through a few of her friends, and signed up hoping it would help her improve her resume and give her a better ability to interview. The program did just that, and also gave her that additional push to take a risk for her summer job.

Jessy developed an internship with a family friend who works in the energy industry, and spent the summer between her first two years at Hamline doing research, working with computer tools to analyze data, and preparing a draft of a report. Although she had declared her economics and political science majors prior to her internship, she has used what she learned to provide additional academic focus in hopes of eventually going into the energy field after graduation, perhaps after pursuing a graduate degree in Applied Economics.

Brie Hill '08: Majors/minors: Psychology, Criminal Justice, Forensic Science

“I think having done more than one internship, Hamline’s reputation, and the help from the CDC Job Search Group is what really worked for me.”
With graduation around the corner, Brie was looking for an internship. Initially she was looking for something in forensic science, but she ended up redirecting her search toward something she never thought she would be interested in--working in a prison!

Brie completed her first internship with the Minnesota Department of Corrections as a Security Caseworker for the women’s prison in Shakopee and found that she loved the experience. She was able to engage one-on-one with women offenders and get up close and personal to their lives as inmates and find out why they were there. Brie used her knowledge from her psychology and criminal justice courses to engage in meaningful conversation with them and suggest programming that would best fit their needs. Brie says, “I felt as if I was a positive influence on the women, not just an intern.”

The next year, Brie interned with the Saint Paul crime lab and homicide unit. “This was probably the most exciting and intriguing experience I have had because it was exactly what I want to do," she said. "I was actually processing crime scenes using the same techniques that we used in class! I felt as if it came naturally to me - I knew this was something I could do in the future.”

With these two great experiences under her belt, Brie was ready to find a job. She had a goal in mind when coming to the CDC: to have a job in place before she graduated. Through her participation in a Job Search Group with the CDC, she was able to accomplish it. Brie received notice of a job fair being held in St. Cloud in the spring before she graduated. She went alone with her notes from the Job Search Group and landed a position that day!

The position started as a paid internship, but since then she has been promoted to Assistant Probation Officer. Brie says, “I think having done more than one internship, Hamline’s reputation, and the help from the CDC Job Search Group is what really worked for me.”

Latichia Harper '08: Major/minor: Sociology

“Hamline fostered my whole person… I was able to piece together what it meant to be Latichia Harper and what that was going to mean for the rest of my life.”

Latichia came to Hamline hoping for the best. She was a first generation college student, so she didn’t know much about college or what it took to succeed. “Things that people took for granted I did not," she says. "I knew getting my education was super important for me. As a commuter and a single parent, I managed to make it to class before those sleeping footsteps away did!” While at Hamline, Latichia worked on campus in the Dean of Students’ office, was involved with many campus activities, and also participated in dance.

Latichia says one of the things she really valued about Hamline was how her professors cared enough to push her past her limits and challenge what she thought could not be further challenged. “Hamline fostered my whole person… I was able to piece together what it meant to be Latichia Harper and what that was going to mean for the rest of my life.”

With graduation on the horizon, Latichia attended the on-campus Job and Internship Fair. Latichia says she went to the fair not really knowing what to expect. She knew she needed a job for after graduation but had no idea what it would be and how she would use her degree in sociology. Just as Latichia was on her way out the door, she spotted the table for General Mills. She assumed that she would need a business degree to apply. But as she approached the table, the recruiter asked if she would like to hand in her resume. Taking a chance, she said yes. Later, when she was called for an interview, Latichia says, “I learned so much from the Practice Interview Program, I knew I needed to put those practical skills to use!”

After several rounds of interviews, Latichia was offered the job. She now works at General Mills Inc. as an Account Trade specialist on the National Geographical region, managing and allocating promotional movements and funds to General Mills distribution chains.