Lisa Frye

Lisa Frye, assistant professor of Computer Science, has made substantial efforts to incorporate the Career Development Center (CDC) in her classrooms and through her campus involvement. Starting with incoming freshmen in the Connections program, Frye stresses the importance of early career development. "It is important to start your career development early," she says. "Students don’t realize that their career development begins the moment they start as students at KU."

Frye consistently sites the CDC as the place to begin with career development, encouraging students to attend job fairs, mock interviews, and participate in the resume review service. She encouraged her students to attend the Air Products Lunch and Learn hosted by the CDC and CS department and has had the CDC give several presentations to her classes and at events. "I am coordinating a field trip with the Berks Career and Technical School and have asked the CDC to give a short presentation to the students about careers in the computer science and information technology fields."

By promoting the CDC’s services, Frye has found that students are able to understand the importance of career development outside of what they might have been told in the past. "I think both the best and worst advice [I ever had] was that it is who you know and not what you know," she said. "Who you know should get you in the door; but your intellect, energy, and integrity should help you move your career forward."

Frye has found that the students who have utilized the services of the CDC have been better prepared for life after graduation. "The students that have taken advantage of the events and services offered by the CDC have been appreciative and have indicated those events and/or services were very helpful." Frye continues to promote CDC events and encourage students to draw on its services. Through her work as a career advocate, more students have utilized the CDC and are on their way to success.