Student Success Stories

This week's success story: Nadia Valdez

The Center for Career Development has played a vital role in my internship and Co-Op hunt. In my career consulting meeting with Danny Pape, he encouraged me to attend the Fall Career Fair. Though hesitant about going to the fair, I was fortunate enough to receive an offer for spring 2014 with Johnson & Johnson in New Jersey. My Co-Op experience with Johnson & Johnson was one of the best decisions of my undergraduate career. I was able to grow professionally and personally.

The Center for Career Development offers many opportunities to grow in the professional world. I have utilized the Professional Certification Development Program (PDCP), with which I am Gold Certified, and the Etiquette Dinner offered, where I received a portfolio that I have used it for all my interviews.

As a result of my preparation, I also had success at the 2014 Career Fair, and I have officially accepted a 2015 Spring Co-Op with Unilever in New Jersey in addition to a summer internship with Boeing in Seattle.

A bit of advice I can offer is to be open-minded, know where your passion is, and really think about your career plans by utilizing the Center for Career Development and taking every opportunity that falls onto your path.

ATTENTION: If you have any great internship/ job experiences that UT Center for Career Development played a role in helping you score and you would like to share, we would LOVE to hear from you! Email us at utcareerpeers@utk.edu for more information if you would like to be featured in our Student Success Stories segment of Big Orange Briefcase.

Yours Truly,