Pauline Thaler
Career Advisor
Education/Certification
I hold a bachelor’s degree in Speech (Theater) from Northwestern University and a master’s degree in Education from Mills College.
Note that I NEVER interacted with Career Services during my education because I felt unworthy—I didn’t know what I wanted to do! Now, I know that there is room for everyone at Career Services, at every single stage of the career process. (Come see us!)
Many years ago, I earned my Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and my Certified Employment Interview Professional (CEIP) credentials from the Professional Association of Resume Writers. I later completed a Certified Job Seeker Strategist Program through The Academies.
I am interested in instructional design and eLearning and have taken a couple of related online courses.
What’s the main focus of your work at Mohr Career Services?
Providing 1:1 career advising to business students is my priority. I also help to develop and curate our career resources and our newsletter outreach.
What is the best career advice you’ve ever received?
“Everyone deserves to feel valued at work.”
In my early twenties, I also used to give myself the following advice, right before an interview. I lacked confidence and would tell myself, “You are better than anything they can offer you” as I prepared to walk in to the interview. Why is that good advice? Because people are always more important than jobs!
Share something about you that people might find surprising
I lived in Hawaii for eight years when I was little. That was a long time ago—when tourists all stayed in Waikiki! I will always be grateful for that experience.
What advice would you give to students so they can optimize their Lundquist experience?
Take time to explore—attend some events, talk to professors and/or alumni, and use your resources. Don’t wait until you feel like you have it all figured out, but jump in and try something. There are many people here to help you along the way—including me.
JD Van Alstyne
Graduate Career Advisor
Education & Experience:
MBA, Sustainable Business Practices Specialization, University of Oregon
BA, Business Administration, University of Oregon
Before joining Mohr Career services in 2022, I held leadership positions in the nonprofit and food/beverage industries; notably, as the executive director of Nourish International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the personal and professional success of student leaders pursuing careers in social impact.
What’s the main focus of your work at Mohr Career Services?
As the Graduate Career Advisor, I focus on supporting MBA and MSF students. In addition to individual advising throughout the year, I facilitate workshops during MBA orientation and I teach FIN 607 in the summer and fall, a 2-credit seminar series on Professional Development for MSF students.
What is the best career advice you’ve ever received?
You won’t know what you like until you try it.
Share something about you that people might find surprising
I’m a double-duck (two degrees from UO), but I credit Hip Hop music for the bulk of my education. I wouldn’t be who I am without it. Shout out to People Under the Stairs, Dilated Peoples, Black Star, and many others.
What advice would you give to students so they can optimize their Lundquist experience?
Don’t go through your time in school focused solely on your classes and grades. Less than 1/3 of recruiters look at GPA when evaluating early career candidates. So, as soon as you can, find ways to DO the thing(s) you think you’d like to explore before committing your life to it. Join a club and eventually take on a leadership position, find a part-time job or internship, find an interesting role in ASUO, start a business, etc… The most valuable thing you can do for yourself (and something that will help you stand out as you apply for jobs post-grad) is to gain practical experience.
Contact
Recent Posts
Laura von Stockhausen
Career Advisor
Claire Wu (She/Her)
Associate Director, Career Strategy
Contact
Recent Posts
Jessica Best (she/her)
Director, Career Strategy
Education/Certification:
I am a Double-Duck, having earned my bachelor’s degree in English from the UO. Neither of my parents went to college from high school and I transferred to the UO, so I identify as a first-gen traditional college student. I felt like asking for help was somehow “cheating,” which may be why I am drawn to a profession in which I help students navigate hidden processes like career development and search.
I also earned my masters in post-secondary and adult education with a graduate certificate in training and development from PSU. In other words, I’m a learning nerd.
What’s the main focus of your work at Mohr Career Services?
I oversee our efforts to prepare students to pursue meaningful work. This includes our 1:1 advising, as well as our curricular and co-curricular efforts like Lundquist Career Fundamentals.
What is the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Focus on building trusting relationships, and the rest will sort itself out.
Share something about you that people might find surprising.
I tried several career paths before finding higher ed career services. As a pastry chef, I once baked and decorated a 5-tier, 3 foot high wedding cake. It was extremely nerve-wracking!
What advice would you give to students so they can optimize their Lundquist experience?
Just try stuff! There are so many opportunities available to you as a student that aren’t available after you graduate. Trying things is really the only way to know whether you’ll like it or not and you might as well try things while the stakes are relatively low.
Contact
Recent Posts
Keith Dussell
Associate Director, Industry Engagement
Education:
- Pacific Lutheran University (PLU), Undergraduate, B.A. Communication with emphasis on Public Relations
- University of Alaska, Anchorage (UAA), Graduate, M.S. Project Management
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), Certificate, Career and Technical Education
What is the main focus of my work? As part of the Career Connections Team at Mohr Career Services, I reach out to companies and organizations to connect students with employment and internship opportunities. I work with professors to source speakers for classes, I help Lundquist College Clubs to reach out to alum and recruiters, and I work with our career services team to execute events and offerings at the University.
Best career advice I’ve ever received? Show up. Go to the career fair. Show up when a speaker comes to campus. Interview for something. Keep an eye out for special events. Show up and show your interest.
Something about myself that people might find surprising: I’ve made a gigantic full circle in my career and travels – I was born in Oregon, grew up near Eugene in Junction City, lived and traveled domestically and internationally elsewhere for 25+ years and now have returned to Eugene.
My advice on how to optimize your Lundquist experience: Explore as much as you can – you are in the perfect spot to find out about all the options you have for a great career – take your time, take it all in and then get ready for an adventure.
Contact
Recent Posts
Sara Mason
Assistant Director, Industry and Alumni Engagement
I am an alum of the University of Oregon, graduating with a BA in English, with Honors. My mom still feels I should have been a business major.
My mother and father had not finished college when I went to college, though my later, after I graduated, finished her degree. I experienced and identify as a first generation college student. I loved my time at UO and tried to take advantage of as much as possible outside the classroom. I was in plans in the Theater Department, on the English Department Council, the Martin Luther King Day Planning Committee, and was an intern at the Oregon State Legislature, and worked part-time.
My communication and people skills propelled me into sales, fundraising, and the external relations with employers and alums I do now for Mohr.
I have worked in the large publicly traded corporations, public (higher education) and non-profit sectors of social justice, affordable housing, and arts and culture.
Degree:
- BA, English with Honors, Magna Cum Laude, University of Oregon
Professional Leadership Training
- Peer Leadership Coaching Training, Leadership Academy, University of Oregon 2022
- Leadership Academy, University of Oregon, 2021-2022
- Leadership Academy, Eugene-Springfield Chamber of Commerce
- Community Mobilization and Collective Impact Training, United Way Worldwide
- Public Innovators Training, Harwood Institute for Public Innovation
- Major Gifts Fundraising, Council for Advancement and Support of Education
What’s the main focus of your work at Mohr Career Services?
I work to build strong and deep relationships with industry through connection and engagement of recruiters and alumni.
I work to ensure students gain exposure, education, connections, networks, hands-on learning, and internships. I do this with a student-centered approach. I focus on access and opportunity to empower all students to learn, grow, and thrive in their career. I bring lived experience to my efforts to consult and promote equity, opportunity, and inclusivity. I love collaborating with students to engage our employers and alumni!
What is the best career advice you’ve ever received?
It’s all about relationships. I get very excited to “get results” and succeed, and I realize, and more and more, that none of this matters if your relationships with co-workers and customers are not warm, real, and connected.
Share something about you that people might find surprising
I am a certified Yoga teacher, and though a pretty extroverted introvert, I love a 5 -10 day silent meditation retreat.
What advice would you give to students so they can optimize their Lundquist experience? Learn and connect outside the classroom. Even if you don’t “need the money” consider an on or off campus part-time job, volunteer, join and lead in a club or organization. Learn by doing, mood and opportunity follows action. You got this. (oh and HAVE FUN! it goes by too quick)
Contact
Recent Posts
- Underrepresented students can find community & professional development opportunities in the DucksRISE program
- Recruiter Tips: Be Experienced, Be Strategic, Be Real
- Over 200 attend ‘BizCareers in Marketing, Operations and Analytics’
- BizCareers Marketing, Operations, Analytics! Alumni Panel + Networking Mixer
Josh Pritchett
Client Services Manager
Education: University of Oregon, Lundquist College of Business, BS, Management and Marketing
What is the main focus of my work? As part of the Career Connections Team at Mohr Career Services, I support our team’s effort in providing opportunities for Lundquist College students to engage further with industry by partnering with colleagues, recruiters, alumni, and industry professionals.
Best career advice I’ve ever received? Stay positive and don’t be afraid to try new things, you never know what you might learn or how you can positively impact others.
Something about myself that people might find surprising: I was born in Eugene, Oregon and grew up here. After graduating from UO, I have lived and worked in Oregon, Nevada, and California, returning to Eugene in 2018. I enjoy sailing and all UO sports! Go Ducks!
My advice on how to optimize your Lundquist experience: Get involved, meet new people, experience new things, and remember to have fun!
Contact
Recent Posts
Gene Rhee
Executive Director
Education/Certification
I’m a first-gen college student. I graduated with an undergraduate business administration degree from Georgetown University in Washington DC, and an MBA from Chapman University in Orange, CA.
What’s the main focus of your work at Mohr Career Services?
I spend most of my time helping the team stay aligned with our mission of leading the college’s effort to prepare all Lundquist students for career success. I meet with alums and recruiters to help build recruiting relationships with companies. I also meet with donors to raise money to help students reach their career goals.
What is the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Have lots of conversations with people and learn from everyone.
Share something about you that people might find surprising
I’ve worked for 10 organizations in 6 industries on 3 continents. Don’t stress out thinking that your first job will pigeonhole you. Trust me… your first job will not be your last.
What advice would you give to students so they can optimize their Lundquist experience?
Try out different things that you’re curious about. Don’t just think about it. Do it.
Contact
Recent Posts
Kaylee Arviso
Executive Assistant/ Office Coordinator
Education/Certification
I would consider myself a jack of all trades. While I am currently pursuing an Applied Sciences degree, most of my education came from my experiences in multiple fields. I have worked in corporate environments, food service, administration, and mental health. However, something these places all had in common is that they have given me opportunities to embrace my love for teaching and showing learners new ways to complete tasks that they never considered.
What’s the main focus of your work at Mohr Career Services?
My role in Mohr Career Services affords me the ability to aid students with acquiring funding for networking and job connections. I will be focusing on ensuring every student that comes to us is given the opportunity and resources to lay the foundations for their dream careers.
What is the best career advice you have ever received?
To be honest, I have not received great career advice, however, I saw the advice as a learning opportunity to understand that authenticity very rarely receives a 100% satisfaction rate.
So with that, my best career advice is: While being yourself can mean accepting that not everyone will appreciate your individuality, don’t let that get in the way of being who you are, because someone will appreciate it and recognize that individuality as the gift that it is.
Share something about you that people might find surprising.
I am a very artistic person. Three of my five tattoos were based off my designs. I also enjoy writing stories and poems.
What advice would you give to students so they can optimize their Lundquist experience?
My advice to students to perfect their experience here at Lundquist is to take advantage of all the resources and experiences available. Whether you are career focused or life focused, I believe experiences (i.e., conferences, internships, networking events) open so many more possibilities for an interesting and fulfilling life experience. Our advisors and colleagues have great connections and offer amazing resources to prepare for a fulfilling career, even if you are not sure what that looks like for you yet.