Heiskell Career Consulting
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Strengths-based Career Consulting | Teaching & Training | Assessment & Evaluation
Veronica Heiskell, Ph.D.
Education
The University of Texas at Austin May 2021
Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership, Educational Leadership & Policy
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo June 2014
Master of Arts in Counseling & Guidance in Higher Education/Student Affairs; GPA: 4.0
University of California, Los Angeles June 2010
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Minor in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Studies; GPA: 3.88
Career Services & Employer Relations Experience
Director of Experiential Learning & Student Employment, Career Success, UC Santa Cruz April 2021 - Present
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Oversee experiential learning and student employment teams to support all students in obtaining meaningful experiences.
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Supervise professional staff and provide leadership for the Career Success office.
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Developing the five-year strategic plan and collaboratively re-envisioning the role and goals of the office to best serve UCSC students.
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Creating policies, resources, and toolkits for on and off-campus employers interested in hosting interns and student employees incorporating high-impact practices and career readiness competencies.
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Stewarding a new system integrating all experiential learning opportunities to streamline the process for students and employers.
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Transforming student employment from a transactional to a transformational process for all students.
Experiential Learning Coordinator, University Leadership Network (ULN), The University of Texas at Austin January 2019 - April 2021
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Lead experiential learning team coordinating all aspects of career services support for 2,000 ULN students.
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Supervise professional and graduate student staff, training them in career coaching/advising techniques.
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Foster and maintain relationships with over 500 on and off-campus employers of ULN students.
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Collaborate with development to create opportunities like employer site visits to increase funding opportunities for ULN program and internship and job opportunities for ULN students.
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Oversee large-scale events like 500-person mock interview event, targeted networking events with employers, etiquette dinners, and internship fairs managing budgets and guiding staff in planning process.
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Creating new policies, toolkits, and resources for employers interested in developing internship programs.
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Implementing new expectations and definition of high-impact, meaningful internships, educating employers on how to create high-impact experiential learning opportunities for diverse students.
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Developed new four-year career curriculum for ULN student focused on professionalism, job search strategies, and career exploration and trained variety of staff to deliver curriculum.
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Support current and prospective ULN employers in developing meaningful, high impact internships.
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Developed new NACE competency-based self and supervisor evaluations for students and their supervisors.
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Managing transition from Symplicity to Handshake platform and developing new structure and policies for tracking employer and student engagement to improve employer and student experience.
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Coordinate first destination surveys and building new database to track ULN alumni and increase their engagement with the program after graduation.
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Led redesign of website to create more focused information for employers and students.
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Career Counselor, Vick Center for Strategic Advising & Career Counseling, The University of Texas at Austin June 2014 - January 2019
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Promoted to Career Counselor II with focus on coordinating practicum program and assessment for center as well as providing guidance and support for new career counselors.
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Oversaw practicum program, recruiting, training, and supervising 1-3 practicum students yearly.
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Developed yearly assessment reports for key stakeholders demonstrating utility and purpose of the center.
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Built significant network of relationships on and off-campus to better serve undergraduate, graduate, and international students in finding meaningful, satisfying jobs.
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Recruited employers and moderate career panels on topics like sustainability and social media careers.
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Led committee to create new learning outcomes, mission, and vision after rebranding the center.
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Created and implemented yearly alumni survey to measure student learning and impact of services.
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Developed four-year assessment plan including new goals, learning outcomes, methods, and targets.
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Provided one-on-one career counseling for undergraduate and graduate students focusing on career and major exploration, career assessments, job search skills, and internship and graduate school planning.
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Developed and taught semester-long career exploration course with focus on reflective, engaging activities.
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Coordinated career assessments; schedule workshops, research new assessments, and facilitated training.
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Developed successful proposal and secured funding to provide CliftonStrengths to students at no cost.
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Redesigned marketing and outreach materials to improve readability utilizing Adobe InDesign.
Career Counseling Intern, Cal Poly Career Services Sept. 2012 - June 2014
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Provided one-on-one career counseling for students from all majors focusing on personal development, career exploration, changing majors, resume and cover letter review, job search, graduate and professional schools, and interview skills.
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Delivered innovative workshops on topics including planned happenstance, etiquette, interviewing, and job search skills.
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Utilized assessment tools like Strong Interest Inventory, StrengthsQuest, and Self-Directed Search with students.
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Supervised and trained ten graduate interns who provide drop-in resume and cover letter review.
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Assisted with check-in process of over 200 employers at quarterly large-scale career fairs.
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Collaborated with career counselor to develop a Diversity in the Workplace interactive presentation.
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Created and implemented a targeted six-week group career intervention for LGBTQIA students focusing on personal interests, values clarification, career self-efficacy, and development of individualized career plans.
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Recruited employees and moderate an LGBTQIA employee panel kick-off event for the career intervention.
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Led weekly “Queer Career” Drop-in for LGBTQIA students and their allies.​
Program & Event Coordination
Graduate Assistant, The Cal Poly Gender Equity Center Sept. 2012 - June 2013
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Developed new programming, purpose statements, and learning objectives for center programming.
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Established three subprograms focusing on positive masculinities, transgender identities, and feminism.
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Created Trans* Action, a partnership between The Gender Equity Center and The Pride Center focusing on supporting trans* students and educating the campus community about trans* identities.
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Produced an extensive event-planning guide for the 10th annual performance of The Vagina Monologues.
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Cultivated relationships with local businesses securing over $2,000 in in-kind donations for The Vagina Monologues.
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Assisted in planning 2nd Annual Gender Symposium, reviewing session submissions, scheduling keynote speakers, managing registration, supervising event volunteers, and securing support funding from campus departments.
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Performed a needs assessment to determine the programming needs of current LGBTQIA students.
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Created a new monthly discussion series addressing controversial gender topics entitled “Gender Buffet.”
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Member, Cal Poly Status of Women Committee January 2011 - May 2013
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Planned and implemented prominent Status of Women Committee events including the Fall Gathering Celebrating Women and the Spring Celebration Honoring Outstanding Women at Cal Poly.
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Represented Safer (sexual assault resource center) and the Gender Equity Center on committee.
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Provided recommendations about campus climate for women to the Office of the President.
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Assistant Coordinator, The Cal Poly Gender Equity Center Aug. 2010 - Sept. 2012
AmeriCorps Lead Volunteer Infrastructure Project Fellow
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Collaborated with Coordinator to rebrand The Women’s Center to The Gender Equity Center in February 2011; coordinated a large-scale unveiling of the new name and two anniversary celebrations.
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Supervised four student assistants and six interns; led weekly staff meetings; held quarterly staff evaluations.
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Drafted budget grant proposals, secured over $80,000 of new funding, and maintained the $30,000 budget.
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Developed strong programming and event collaborations addressing the intersectionality of student’s identities with The Pride Center, The Multicultural Center, and the Women’s & Gender Studies department.
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Supervised the Women’s Leadership Council, a mentorship program for women, and Triota, an honor’s society.
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Created and implemented presentations on sexual assault, gender identity, feminism, and ally trainings.
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Trained incoming student staff and volunteers on how to effectively present to large and small groups.
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Collaborated with Coordinator to develop and implement a new retreat for student and professional staff.
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Planned and implemented prominent Status of Women Committee events for staff members including the Fall Gathering Celebrating Women and the Spring Celebration Honoring Outstanding Women.
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Assisted in planning of Pride Month workshops and activities; cohosted the Trans Fashion Show twice.
Student Affairs Experience
Cluster Facilitator, LeaderShape UT McCombs School of Business January 2015
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Facilitated cluster of ten students throughout week-long leadership and social justice-based training.
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Received intensive two-day training on curriculum and activities directly before attendees arrived.
Consultant, Cal Poly New Student Services January 2014 - June 2014
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Developed innovative training on CliftonStrengths for 60 orientation team leaders and adapted and delivered one-hour training for over 1,000 orientation leaders.
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Served on committee to plan implementation of CliftonStrengths for incoming students during orientation.
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Graduate Advisor, Cal Poly College of Science & Math Advising Center Sept. 2013 - June 2014
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Advised freshman, sophomore, and transfer students on topics such as changing majors, planning class schedules, interpretation of policies, academic probation, and pre-health professions; emphasis on change of major and career planning.
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Presented workshops about course planning, selecting and changing majors, academic success strategies, and career opportunities.
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Developed and implemented a 17 hour training for academic success peer coaches; curriculum included active listening, strengths-based coaching, learning strategies, and motivating reluctant students.
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Recruited and hired 12 successful students to serve as peer coaches for students on academic probation.
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Supervised five peer coaches; led biweekly staff meetings and professional development trainings.
House Director, Stanford High School Summer College June 2013 - Aug. 2013
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Supervised ten mentors (current Stanford students) and oversaw two houses with 180 high school students (over 30% international) during the High School Summer College eight-week session.
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Served on the Residential Committee addressing conduct violations for all six houses in the program.
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Led resident conduct meetings; provided educationally-based outcomes to promote student learning.
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Provided one-on-one support for students who were struggling academically with their first college courses.
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Created and led workshops for staff development on topics including assertiveness, leadership, and conflict resolution.
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Provided on-call crisis response support.
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Developed comprehensive 39 page year-end report including program review and recommendations.
Academic Success Coach, Cal Poly College of Science & Math Advising Center Jan. 2013 - June 2014
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Trained in appreciative advising, strength-based psychology, and academic learning strategies for students.
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Coached 13 students on academic probation; empowered students over a quarter to develop and implement new academic strategies.
Professional Development
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National Association of Colleges & Employers 2021 Conference
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Handshake User Conference, 2021
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National Association of Colleges & Employers Connect 2020 Conference
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American Association of Colleges & Universities Institute on High-Impact Practices, 2019
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Handshake User Conference, 2019
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National Career Development Association Global Conference, 2019
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Association for Study of Higher Education Annual Conference, 2017
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National Career Development Association Global Conference, 2017
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National Career Development Association Global Conference, 2016
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NACADA Assessment Institute, 2016
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National Career Development Association Global Conference, 2015
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National Career Development Association Global Conference, 2014
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StrengthsQuest Mentoring & Advising Program Training, 2014
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WorkTraits Team Training, 2014
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StrengthsQuest Strengths Educator for Higher Education Training, 2013
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Career Services Institute (CSI) West Conference, 2013
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Mentors in Violence Prevention Facilitation Training, 2013
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Women's Shelter Program of SLO Domestic Violence Crisis Counseling 40 Hour State Certification training, 2012
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Mentors in Violence Prevention Bystander Intervention Conference, 2012
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2011 Conference on College Men
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Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Suicide Prevention Training, 2011
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Conflict Resolution & Mediation Skills for Student Services Professionals Training, 2010
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SARP Center Sexual Assault Crisis Counseling 48 Hour State Certification Training, 2010
University-Wide Committee Membership
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President, Texas Campus Career Council June 2019 – June 2020
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Member, Texas Campus Career Council June 2016 – June 2019
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Member, UT Queer Services Committee September 2015 – Present
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Representative, UT UGS Event Planning Committee August 2015 – May 2017
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Representative, UT UGS Communications Committee October 2015 – May 2016
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Communications Chair, Texas Campus Career Council (TC3) June 2015 – June 2016
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Meeting & Event Scheduler, UT Association of Professionals in Student Affairs (APSA) June 2015 – June 2017
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Member, Discovery Scholars Program Advisory Council January 2015 – May 2017
Conference Presentations
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Heiskell, V. M. (2021, June). Supporting exploratory students. Presented at UC Career Counselor Conference, virtual.
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Heiskell, V. M. (2020, June). Developing internship and experiential learning support for students with high financial need. Accepted presentation at National Association of Colleges & Employers Conference & Expo, Minneapolis, MN. (Conference canceled).
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Heiskell, V. M., & Swanson, E. C. (2019, June). Breaking barriers in career courses for first and second-year undecided students. Presented at National Career Development Association Global Conference, Houston, TX.
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Heiskell, V. M. (2017, June). Effective assessment of career counseling. Roundtable presented at National Career Development Association Global Conference, Orlando, FL.
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Chang, L. T., Devlin, A. C., & Heiskell, V. M. (2016, June). VIPSY: Dynamic card game for career exploration. Roundtable presented at National Career Development Association Global Conference, Chicago, IL
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Heiskell, V. M. (2015, July). Queer careers: A targeted career intervention for LGBTQ students. Roundtable presented at National Career Development Association Global Conference, Denver, CO.