CLA Career Services Staff
The CLA Career Services career coaches and staff are excited to meet you and assist you in your career planning!
Career Coach | She/Her/Hers
Supports all CLA students; specializes in supporting students with general major and career exploration-any interest area and those with Education Career Field interests
Make an appointment | hutch358@umn.edu
I love stories. When I was a student in CLA, I majored in English and American Studies because I love learning about the world through different experiences and lenses. While I have always known I wanted to work with people, I have never had one “dream job” in mind, so I’ve learned to find roles that align with my values of connection, equity, and joy. As a Career Coach, I bring my belief that social change moves at the speed of relationships. I never underestimate the power of someone truly listening to your story and context, and helping you identify the next right move for you. Sometimes you need more information or guidance, and sometimes you need someone to say “You got this!” No matter where you are in your career exploration, I want you to leave feeling heard, supported, and excited.
Being able to be authentically myself is important to me, and I strive to create a space for students to bring their whole selves when they meet with me. There are so many ways that career and education conversations intersect with and are informed by our identities. I seek to be a cultural navigator and a cultural challenger, and am committed to pushing higher education to move forward to equitably meet the needs and wants of our students. To me, that means finding ways to incorporate both advocacy and healing into my work.
Outside of work, I love cooking with my partner, trying new sourdough bread experiments, making earrings, and going on main character walks.
Career Coach | He/Him/His
Supports all CLA students; specializes in supporting students with general career planning-any interest area (internship search, job search, etc.) and those with Business Career Field interests
Make an appointment |612-626-6574| wetze105@umn.edu
I have always wanted to help people. As a first-generation student, I started college with the intent of becoming a lawyer. However, when I took my first psychology course at the University of Toronto, I realized that was the field for me. This led to degrees in development psychology (U of T) and industrial / organization psychology (U of M) and a 40-year career in a variety of roles with Ameriprise Financial / IDS Financial Services and Right Management (a global HR consulting firm). I have also served in leadership roles in several community-based and health-focused non-profit organizations.
If you are trying to decide on a major, want help with any written document (resume, cover letter or personal statement), are seeking an internship / job or considering graduate school, you and I should definitely meet since my personal mission statement is “to help people identify who they are, what they are capable of doing … and becoming”. I relish the opportunity to meet with students and recent alumni regardless of where they are in their career and life journey and to make connections for those who are exploring options. I also enjoy sharing thoughts about interesting food, restaurants and international travel.
Career Coach | They/Them/Theirs
Supports all CLA students; specializes in supporting students with Government & International Affairs and Human & Community Service Career Field interests and students seeking support with graduate school planning
Make an appointment | golds282@umn.edu
Many years ago, at the tender age of 14, I decided what my career would be. I was going to get my Bachelor’s, go to graduate school, and become a tenured professor. I did the first two- I received my Bachelor’s from the University of Minnesota in 2015 and I went on to earn my PhD at Arizona State University in 2022. However, in my last year of graduate school, I realized that being a professor was not what I wanted to do. I’ve been passionate about student success since I first began teaching Freshman Writing & Composition at Arizona State. It was exciting help students navigate their first year of college and guide them towards their passions and success. Being a career counselor enables me to help students across years and majors find fulfillment in college and their future careers.
I am evidence to students that just because you think you’ve made your decision about your career, you can change your mind. The skills that you learn in college can be applied to a variety of careers—even if you think you pigeon-holed yourself into seemingly one career like me. I encourage students to follow their passions or hold onto their practical goals but also to keep their minds open to pathways that they had never considered.
Lastly, some facts about me are that I love horror and anything spooky-adjacent, and I spend my free time crocheting or weaving on my loom. I’ve also driven across the country six times with my two cats in the backseat. I hope I never have to do that again.
Curriculum & Assessment Coordinator | They/Them, He/Him
I am part of the Curriculum & Assessment Team and help coordinate the Career Management Courses. I support instructors and TAs and teach a couple courses, so you might have me as your CLA 3002 or CLA 3201 instructor!I love teaching and thinking about curriculum because when I was deciding my major in college, I ended up choosing both of my majors, Linguistics and Computer Science, because of the incredible professors I had. I want to create courses that talk about things in your career path and decision making that are important to you. My hope is the topics and assignments we have in the career management courses make your future career tasks easier and help you feel connected to everyone around you who is also exploring their careers.I’ve been a career coach who specialized in working with folks interested in tech, business, and pre-health, taught career courses at the University of Vermont, worked at a tech startup, been a bike mechanic, and more, and all of these experiences impact how I think about my current job. When not in Bruininks, I love biking around the chain of lakes, fermenting random fridge items, picnicking with a good cheese board, and trying to keep my house plants alive.
Associate Director for Career Coaching and Engagement Initiatives | She/Her/Hers
612-626-6574 | katyh@umn.edu
I’m at my best when I am positively impacting people and systems. I love coaching people to create lives and careers that honor who they are and I am committed as a leader to make things more effective, more equitable, and more joyful. I thrive in ambiguity where there is more than one way to move forward and relish in connecting with others, brainstorming, and trying new innovative approaches. I am deeply curious and love learning (as long as it isn’t math), so you can often find me reading, listening to a podcast, or participating in professional development. I am happiest when I’m in nature, at Home Goods, watching a musical, or sharing good food with friends and family. In college I loved my liberal arts classes, but really struggled with how to translate what I learned to a career after graduation, this has provided fuel to help CLA students see the possibilities and find pathways for their future they are excited about and prepared for.
Interim Director, Career Services & Director, Corporate Engagement for Undergraduate Education | She/Her/Hers
612-626-6574 | cassidy@umn.edu
Several years after graduating from Colgate University with a BA in philosophy but no clear career path in sight, I realized I could go back to college! Not only could I attend grad school (which I did, earning a MA in Counseling & Student Development from the University of Iowa), but I could also spend my career on a college campus supporting students on their journeys (which I've mostly done...with a few rewarding detours).
While at the University of Iowa my experiences varied. I did a little bit of everything from providing career coaching to supporting new student orientation to leadership development and student activities. Eventually, I moved into fundraising, advancement, and external relations work. Since returning home to the Twin Cities, I've worked at different mission-driven organizations including the University of Minnesota, Augsburg, and the YMCA. Nearly eight years ago, I pivoted again and took a position at a non-profit called Community Action where I was able to combine my diverse professional experiences to support people striving to overcome barriers including poverty and racism so they can thrive personally, educationally, and in their careers. Across these many roles I have been both an individual contributor and a leader of large teams. In 2022, ready for a new adventure, I was excited to return to the University of Minnesota to help increase opportunities for undergraduate students in the College of Liberal Arts.
Assistant Director, Employer Engagement | She/Her/Hers
612-626-6574|hoffm115@umn.edu
Relator | Learner | Achiever | Responsibility | Arranger
Beth has been working to build connections between organizations and CLA students since 2004. Prior to joining CLA Career Services in 2003 in a communications role, Beth held a variety of positions in private and public industry, including: communications consulting for public relations firm, Lilja Inc.; employee communications, training and development, and staffing/recruiting for information management company, Merrill Corporation; managing editor for national business publication Quirk’s Marketing Research Review; and admissions counselor for the University of St. Thomas. Beth holds an MA in organizational leadership from St. Catherine University, and a BA in journalism and speech communications from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN.
Coordinator of Employer & Alumni Engagement | He/Him, They/Them
Tonny is a Gender Fluid Hmong Person who is passionate about creating opportunities for all students. Tonny received their B.A. in Communication Studies and their M.S. in College Counseling and Student Development from St. Cloud State University. As a first-generation college student, Tonny had no idea about all of the different opportunities that were available to them. Like many immigrant families, their parents only saw four possible career paths; a doctor, a lawyer, an engineer, or a failure. After a challenging journey, navigating their family expectations and following their own path, they were able to find their way into higher education. The journey was not perfect and there were a lot of mistakes, but there were also many beautiful moments talking with mentors about the right path for themself. Now, Tonny is passionate about creating opportunities and making those opportunities visible to all students; especially BIPOC, immigrant, LGBTQ+, and all underrepresented student populations.
Tonny loves food! As food is a universal language and is always looking to discover amazing cuisine. Tonny also loves wearing all sorts of hair, turbans, and earrings; And hiking, art fairs, and traveling.
Associate Director of Employer & Alumni Engagement | She/Her/Hers
My career journey began when I took a chance on a Career Services internship during graduate school. I was preparing to become a licensed counselor but decided to change directions after experiencing how fun and rewarding Career Services can be. I have been in the field ever since and wouldn’t change a thing. I’ve worn many hats since that first experience including career counselor, supervisor, mentor, event planner, partnerships developer, grant manager, and internship coordinator. In my current role, I get to think strategically about how we engage with employers and alumni. Internships and short-term projects are what helped me carve out a path for my future and I love being able to connect CLA students to meaningful experiences for their own growth and professional development.
Front Office Coordinator| She/Her/Hers
612-626-6574 | mouax636@umn.edu
Restorative | Adaptability | Includer | Harmony | Empathy
Pantsai graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies with a focus on Korean. In her free time, she likes to hang out with her friends, get boba, and write. As the CLA Career Services office specialist, she will be in the front to greet you, check you in for your appointment, schedule an appointment for you, and answer your questions. Fun fact: Pantsai studied abroad in South Korea in spring 2019!
External Engagement Coordinator| She/Her/Hers
Connection and compassion are words that I have learned to use to describe the inner core of values that drive what I do in my day to day interactions, whether that be through personal or professional relationships.
I thrive in piecing together complicated processes and naturally enjoy creating more streamlined operations that can be easily digested by others. Collaborative environments allow me to share and highlight my organizational and communication skills, and I aim to lead and support in ways that each environment may need. I am both data and heart driven. I see the value in numbers but know that the purpose of the data and the use of it can fuel a much larger and important goal. Figuring out the ‘why’ is pivotal to establishing the ‘how’.
As a first-generation person of color liberal arts student, and now, a professional working in the liberal arts atmosphere, I am excited to be able to lend a hand in shaping resources and connections for the next generation of underrepresented students, and all students looking to find the next step in their career.
Some questions that I continue to reflect upon include: How do I show up in the spaces that I occupy with the truest version of myself? How do I have conversations with others in a way that allows for authentic connections? What skills do I have that I can lean into and share with others in both my personal and professional life?
Some quick facts: I am a Hmong-American woman, and a first generation student. I enjoy the occasional cup of coffee before noon, road trips, traveling, trying out new (to me) restaurants and experiences, and creating meaningful and genuine relationships.
Communications Specialist | She/Her/Hers
Stina Kielsmeier-Cook (she/her) is the Communications Specialist for CLA Career Services and Career Readiness. She is an author and editor who is passionate about telling stories that inspire others to do good. At CLA, she is dedicated to using strategic communications to expand student access to career services. Stina’s previous roles in the nonprofit sector have included managing a literary publication, producing a podcast, and helping new refugee families find affordable housing. She has a graduate diploma in Forced Migration and Refugee Studies from the American University in Cairo and a B.A. in Political Science from Wheaton College in Illinois. Stina loves libraries, public schools, and adventuring with her family in the woods.