Meet the Staff

Alex Hochman

Senior Director

University of Michigan
BA Communication
John F. Kennedy University
MA Career Development

Favorite Places in the City

Roxie Food Center in the Mission Terrace neighborhood (best sandwich in town!), AT&T Park

Hobbies and Interests

Overly obsessive fan of University of Michigan football and basketball and the San Francisco Giants. Part-time restaurant critic. Traveling near and far with my wife and two daughters.

First internship/job

In high school, I worked at Lombardi’s Sports which was then on Clement Street. I sold sneakers and learned how to deal with a truly diverse group of customers. I once sold Robin Williams a pair of Nikes!

Best piece of career advice I received

“Just because you’re good at doing something doesn’t mean that you like to do it."

Ellen

Ellen Kelly

Director of Career Success

kellye@usfca.edu

University of Missouri - Columbia
BA in Business Administration
Major: Logistics, Minor: Marketing
San Francisco State University
MS Counseling, Emphasis in College and Career Counseling
Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University
MA Theological Studies, Concentration: Christian Spirituality

Favorite Places in the City

Golden Gate Park, Ocean Beach, Twin Peaks, Crissy Field, AT&T Park, anywhere I'm with friends

Hobbies and Interests

Baseball, Reading, KC BBQ, Family, Symphony, Living life by my motto: Carpe Diem

First internship/job

My first internship was at Deluxe Check Printers (yes people used to write a lot of checks!) as a logistics intern. I was offered a management trainee position and worked there for 3 years before deciding I didn't want to focus on shipping checks all over the country for my career.

Best piece of career advice I received

As cliche as it sounds, when I experienced my first career crossroads at 24, someone told me to read "What Color is Your Parachute." Not only did I read it, but I did every darn exercise in the book, conducted a plethora of informational interviews, and finally had the courage to quit my job, travel to Europe for 4+ months, and then apply for and go to the Peace Corps. That road less traveled has made all the difference.

Julia Hing

Director of Employer Relationships

jahing@usfca.edu

University of Michigan
BBA with an Emphasis in Marketing
University of San Francisco
MS in Project Management

Favorite Places in the City

Walking through the Ferry Building, grabbing a lunch at one of the food stands, and sitting on a bench by the water.

Hobbies and Interests

I enjoy cooking and love to learn new, easy recipes and pairing appropriate wines. I got into tennis about 10 years ago and play actively on various tennis leagues.

First internship/job

My family owned a small business, a Chinese take-out, and I learned food preparation and customer service techniques there.

Best piece of career advice I received

Early in my career, I was laid off from a company, and my manager suggested that I use the time to look into jobs I felt more suitable for. After a couple of months, I got my first job in marketing/merchandising for an entertainment retailer. It was definitely a better fit.

Stephanie Belfiore

Assistant Director of Employer Relationships

sibelfiore@usfca.edu

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
BS Retail and Consumer Sciences
University of San Francisco
MEd Organization & Leadership

Favorite Places in the City

Crissy Field for running or hanging out at the beach, hiking Lands End, walking the hidden trails of Golden Gate Park, exploring the Ferry Building farmer's market, killing time in Green Apple Books.

Hobbies and Interests

Running with my dog, hiking, kayaking, and spending time at the beach. I also enjoy gardening, crafting, reading, and traveling to new places with my family.

First internship/job

As soon as I was old enough for a work permit, I got a job at Wendy's. After three months of seeing the inner workings of a fast food chain, I decided it was not where I wanted to be. I promptly resigned and got a job working the sales floor at a clothing store which I enjoyed much more!

Best piece of career advice I received

Opportunity often comes when you least expect it and may present itself in unexpected ways. Be ready to jump at it when it comes your way!

Juli-Anne Brockway

Career Counselor

jbrockway@usfca.edu

Borough of Manhattan Community College/CUNY
AA Liberal Arts
Baruch College/CUNY
BA Psychology
Teachers College, Columbia University
MA Higher & Postsecondary Education

Favorite Places in the City

Golden Gate Park

Hobbies and Interests

Hiking, amateur photography, road trips, visiting national parks

First internship/job

Working as a cashier at the Hampton Classic in the summer while in high school.

Best piece of career advice I received

“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door."

Kristen Dittus

Career Counselor

kmdittus@usfca.edu

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
BA in Political Science, Bachelor of Theatre Arts
MA in Higher Education, concentration in Student Access and Success

Favorite Places in the City

Dolores Park, Lands End, the Mission

Hobbies and Interests

Travelling, running, trying new restaurants, watching sports-especially Michigan Wolverines football

First internship/job

For my first job I worked at my local movie theater over the summer. I didn't find the work enjoyable, and disliked how I always smelled like popcorn. I decided to take a class and get certified to lifeguard instead, which I loved. This was my first hands-on experience with learning how much education can truly change your job prospects!