Career Coaching
30-minute coach appointment
Any topic
In person or virtual
Available year round
Staff career coach
15-minute drop-in appointment
Resume or cover letter review
In person or virtual
Available during academic year
Peer career coach
45-minute practice interview
Interview prep and practice
In person or virtual
Available during academic year
Peer career coach
45-minute case practice
Consulting case interview practice
In person or virtual
Available during academic year
Peer career coach
Meet the Career Coaches
Check in for appointments with career coaches in the Maroon Lobby (Hanson Hall 2-180).
If you have questions about time-sensitive offers, email slcd@umn.edu to check same-day appointment availability.
Students are welcome to meet with any career coach, regardless of major or specialty area.
Katie Hauge
She/Her/Hers
Specialty Areas: Finance, Finance & Risk Management Insurance, Investments & Capital Markets
Learn more about Katie
My goal when working with students is that after our time together, they can walk away having learned something, and feel confident in taking the next steps. Career development is an adventure, and I am here to help along the way. It is simply the coolest thing to see students go through and grow through their career development journey.
In my free time I like to be active doing anything outdoors including biking, hiking, and enjoying the lake (both frozen and not). I love almost all sports both as a spectator and competitor. I most recently have found a love for CrossFit and even have a couple of competitions under my belt.
Britney Hayes
She/Her/Hers
Specialty Area: Major and Career Exploration and Campus Life
Learn more about Britney
As a career coach my goal is to support students with navigating and overcoming barriers in their career development journey. My favorite coaching appointments are on topics that may seem challenging or intimidating, such as offer evaluation and negotiation, interviewing, and networking.
I am the first in my family to attend college and earn both a bachelor's and master's degree. As an undergraduate, I studied Psychology, then completed my grad program in Counseling and Student Personnel with an emphasis in College Student Affairs; which I tell people is a long title for working with college students. During grad school I really enjoyed my Career Development and Counseling courses, and I completed an internship working as a Career Advisor in our Career Center. These experiences led to my career interest in working in Career Services. My specialty area focuses on students who are exploring their own career interests and I look forward to helping students choose a career path and/or major they feel confident about.
In my free time I enjoy cooking, dancing, game nights, brunching, and traveling with friends!
Laura Heilman
She/Her/Hers
Specialty Area: Major and Career Exploration and Campus Life
Learn more about Laura
As a first-generation student, I entered college with very limited ideas about what majors or careers I wanted to pursue - all I knew was that I wanted to help people (and that I didn’t want to take over the family meat business). With this knowledge, I allowed myself to explore courses and experiences that gave me insight and exposure into how humans grow, behave, and communicate. This led to a double major in Psychology and Communication. With this foundation, my career exploration journey extended beyond graduation, where I gained valuable experience working with high school and college students, eventually earning a Master’s Degree in Leadership in Student Affairs. Throughout these experiences, I found deep fulfillment for helping students navigate their own college experience and design lives and careers that align with their values. Thriving in creativity, collaboration, and connection, I am in my element when I get to make deep connections with others, envision future possibilities, and strategize about how we can create more diverse, inclusive, accessible, and equitable spaces. As the Assistant Director for Student Life and Career Design at Carlson, I strive to lead with empathy, authenticity, vulnerability, and with an equity lens.
My love language is laughing and connecting with others over food. You can usually find me with a snack (or looking for one) and I’m always willing to share! Connect with me over the joys of parenthood, my cat, food, exercise, travel, home projects, reality TV, and entrepreneurship.
Learn more about Lisa
Figuring out what you want to major in or what path you want to pursue after college can be overwhelming. Our team is here to help you design a college and career experience that is meaningful to you, while bringing clarity and action oriented steps to the process! I enjoy helping students uncover their interests and develop strategies to reach their goals- no matter what career path, organization, or industry you are interested in.
I completed my undergraduate degree from the Carlson School with majors in Marketing, Entrepreneurial Management, and a minor in Human Resources & Industrial Relations! After a short stint in the corporate world, I returned to grad school and have worked in higher education roles ever since, supporting students in areas of career coaching, leadership development, academic advising, and student activities. Outside of work, I spend lots of time with my family. Chai tea and ice cream are my favorite treats, and I like to Stand Up Paddle Board, run, and explore MN State Parks.
Zain Olson
He/Him/His
zolson@umn.edu
Specialty Areas: Carlson Crew Program, Major and Career Exploration, and Campus Life
Learn more about Zain
As an instructor for BA1021: Designing Your Life, I love helping students use design thinking to build a life and a career that aligns with their aspirations, interests, and values. My goal is to help you get more out of your college experience rather than trying to cram more into it!
Outside of work, you can find me exploring the Twin Cities restaurant scene, biking around the rivers and lakes, skiing in the wintertime, watching movies at a local theater, and playing clarinet in a community band.
Caroline Quinn
She/Her/Hers
Specialty Area: Major and Career Exploration and Campus Life
Learn more about Caroline
When working with students, my goal is to be a trusted resource and ally in achieving their goals. Whether this means exploring a career path, major, or joining a student organization, I like to help students find that “starting place” in their journey and give them a supportive space to bounce off ideas and try new things. College was a very transformative experience for me, and I’m eager to help students find experiences that shape who they want to be.
In my role at Carlson I work with all of our Carlson Affiliated student orgs and our Women’s Business Network LLC. I was previously an Academic Coach at Iowa State University, where I coached students on study and time management skills. Originally I am from Iowa and have strong roots there, but have loved my time so far as a Minnesota transplant exploring my neighborhood’s many restaurants, parks, and shops. I also spend lots of time with my tortoiseshell cat named Honey, and love to spoil her with new toys and lots of attention.
Shontel Smith
She/Her/Hers
Specialty Areas: Marketing, Entrepreneurial Management, Human Resources & Industrial Relations
Learn more about Shontel
I get excited whenever I have the opportunity to problem solve with students, big or small! I became a career coach because meeting with students to discuss their future has always energized me. I enjoy working with students to set goals that help them take action whether they are looking to get a resume checked out, trying to navigate an internship/job search, or are contemplating big questions like “What am I going to do with my life?” My hope is that students leave an appointment feeling like they have some idea of what comes next and know that they have a strong support system here at the Carlson School.
When I am not at work I love to find ways to enjoy nature through lake days, hammocking, camping, or just sitting and enjoying the outdoors. I try to bring a bit of nature indoors through my growing plant collection! I also enjoy cooking and baking, I frequently try out my new recipes on friends, family, and coworkers!
Mai Xiong
She/Her/Hers
Specialty Areas: Accounting, Public & Nonprofit Management, and International Business
Learn more about Mai
One of the things I love most about working with students is seeing them grow and develop into confident individuals. I approach much of my work with students as a partnership where I am learning from them just as much as they are learning from me.
Before becoming a career coach, I suppported students who were first generation in navigating the college and career process. I became a career coach because I was a first-generation college graduate who struggled with navigating the career development process, but was fortunate to have counselors and mentors who guided me through the process. My goal is to continue supporting students with overcoming barriers and navigating institutional systems while providing space for students to show up authenticly throughout their career development process.
In my free time, you can find me crocheting, cross-stiching, traveling and decluttering junk throughout my house.
Meet the Peer Career Coaches
Peer Career Coaches are available to meet during the academic year for in-person appointments between 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday or virtual appointments 4-6 p.m. Monday-Thursday. Practice interviews are offered between 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday and can be in person or virtual.
Schedule an appointment at slcd.appointments.umn.edu.
Check in for appointments with peer career coaches in the Gold Lobby (Hanson Hall 2-190).
Erick Burgess
he/him
Junior | Finance, minor in Statistics
Learn more about Erick
I have career aspirations in Investment Banking and Quant Trading. Over the summer, I plan to travel a bit before my internship starts with KPMG in June. A little about me - I'm the youngest of 5, I have a twin brother named Derek, my family is from Maple Grove, MN., and I have a passion for sneakers. I'm most excited to work with so many individuals and impact their careers as much as I can. I'm looking forward to meeting the team.
Sarah Dysthe
she/her
Junior | HRIR, minor in Spanish
Learn more about Sarah
As a Carlson student, I value the importance of building connections within our community, so I am excited to be a part of the network of peer career coaches. I work as a communications intern for the National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education. I have been involved with GLOBE and currently serve on the exec board of Phi Mu Fraternity. In my free time, I love running, golfing, and spending time outdoors. I look forward to meeting with students to help them navigate their education and career journey!
Anna Houglum
she/her
Sophomore | MIS, minor in Business Analytics
Learn more about Anna
I am currently part of 180 Degrees Consulting as a project manager. Back home in Shakopee, MN, I am also a gymnastics coach! I actually did gymnastics for 9 years and now I have been a coach for 3 and it is one of my favorite things to do! This summer I have an internship with CliftonLarsonAllen as a Systems Analyst which I am super excited to start and learn all I can. I love spending time with my family, finding cool hiking places, and trying out new coffee shops. I am very excited to get started as a PCC in the fall as I have a passion for the Carlson community and I want to help undergraduate students find that community and work towards their career and personal goals.
Leah Johnson
she/her
Sophomore | HRIR and International Business, minor in Spanish
Learn more about Leah
This past summer, I interned at WOW Logistics in Wisconsin. It was a great learning experience and I look forward to gaining more experience interning at NTE next summer. On campus, I’m involved in Delta Sigma Pi professional business fraternity, SHRM and Women in Business. In my free time, I love traveling, cycling, boxing, trying out new restaurants and long walks with friends. As a PCC, I'm excited to connect with and assist fellow students in accomplishing their career and professional goals!
Whitney Le
she/her
Junior | MIS, Neuroscience and Genetics, minor in Business Analytics
Learn more about Whitney
I have been involved with the Vietnamese student association of Minnesota (VSAM) and I will be their secretary starting this fall. I currently work as a microeconomics tutor at MCAE located in Appleby hall and I am a remote undergraduate researcher for a sociology study in CLA.. Within Carlson, I am a member of the business association of Multicultural students (BAM). My current summer plans are to help my mom out at her nail salon over the summer, take an online accounting course from my local community college, take a family vacation later in the summer to NYC, take a 2 day summer camp in Chicago with the larger branch of the Vietnamese association in the US (Midwest branch) as I'm part of their logistics committee this summer, and then head to Chicago again to explore the city of Chicago and attend the music festival Lollapalooza. I am an out of state student (born and raised in Missouri) and currently aspiring to be working in data analytics. Some hobbies of mine include attempting to exercise, going out to try new restaurants, attending concerts, listening to music, and watching kdramas or anime. In the role of a PCC, I am most excited about being able to help students review their resumes and show them how to improve it.
Sabrina Li
she/her
Junior | Marketing and Finance, minor in Business Analytics
Learn more about Sabrina
I am currently a part of the Carlson Consulting Enterprise and also work as a TA for Marketing 3011. I have also been involved in the Chinese American Student Association (CASA), Undergraduate Consulting Club, and 180 Degrees Consulting. I have previously interned with Optum and UnitedHealthcare, and I am excited to join Deloitte Consulting as a Strategy Summer Scholar for the upcoming summer. In my free time, I love to sing, cook, and travel. I can’t wait to start the spring semester, meet new people, and help Carlson undergraduates achieve their goals!
Jonathan Walker
he/him
Senior | Finance and International Business, minor in Business Analytics
Learn more about Jonathan
I interned at Allianz Life this past summer in the distribution division. I continue to intern part-time with my team during the school year. I am a part of the Carlson School Accounting Club (CSAC). I previously was the director of finance and am now the director of site visits. In my free time, I spend time with my friends and explore both Minneapolis and Saint Paul. I am looking forward to helping students as a PCC this upcoming semester.
Alumni receive ongoing access to career support from the Carlson School of Management!