Sharon Balke

My career journey has been a winding one, taking me in directions I would never have imagined. For one thing, much of my career has been spent in online educational programs, which didn't even exist when I was in college! As an undergrad, I spent a lot of time worrying about how to make a good career decision, but in the end, my liberal arts education helped me to thrive in a variety of different roles and settings, from career counselor, to program manager, to director of career education. In my current role as Associate Director of Career Management Curriculum and Assessment, I have the opportunity to guide students through the career development process and prepare them to take the next steps in their own career journeys. My undergraduate degree is from St. Olaf College, with majors in Psychology and Religion (World), and an unofficial minor in Women's studies. After teaching English in Japan for two years after college, I returned to the U of M to get a Master's Degree in Counseling and Student Personnel Psychology. While in grad school, I worked as a CLA Academic Advisor and actually did an internship in the CLA Career Services office. Returning to CLA in 2023 after many years away feels like coming home!

 

Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, cooking, yoga, doing all kinds of puzzles, and planning things - dinner parties, trips, gardens, you name it. I also enjoy spending time with my partner, my two adult daughters (one of whom is a CLA grad), and my little golden-doodle, Benny.