Meet the Staff
Alex Hochman
Senior Director
ahochman@usfca.edu
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 Kelly
Director of Career Success
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.
Miriam Karpilow
Director of Employer Relations
University of Puget Sound
BA in German Linguistics and Literature, Minor: Music
Middlebury Institute of International Studies, Fisher School of Business
MBA International Business, concentration Organizational Behavior and Leadership
Favorite Places in the City
Home, Duboce Park, Land's End, a farmer's market, AT&T Park
Hobbies and Interests
Being an awesome mama to toddler Max, wine, cooking, adventure, travel, skiing, cycling, the Giants, gardening, urban hiking, reading, Battlestar Galactica, baking the best banana bread you've ever had.
First internship/job
My first job was teaching yoga while I was in college. I didn't know how to find a "real" job after graduation (because I never visited the Career Services Center at my university) so I left the country and taught English in Spain for a few years, which was great but didn't afford me any sense of direction. I never had an internship, but I will do everything I can to make sure YOU do!
Best piece of career advice I received
I felt very intimidated in my first job out of business school, especially as an introvert surrounded by assertive extroverts. A women who I admired as a leader, mentor, and human pulled me aside one day and said, "always take a seat at the table, even if you have to squeeze in. And always find at least one thing to say in a meeting, even if it's just to verbally agree with someone else. Show your face and make your voice heard." TLDR: show up and say something so people know you're there.
Julia Hing
Associate Director for Employer Relations
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.
Juli-Anne Brockway
Career Counselor
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."
Deborah Kang
Career Counselor
Georgia State University
Bachelor of Science in Public Policy, Minor in Urban Education
University of Georgia
Master of Education in College Student Affairs Administration
Favorite Places in the City
I loved every dish at Kin Khao, and enjoyed celebrating mass at Saints Peter and Paul Church in North Beach when I visited
Hobbies and Interests
I love to dance! I also enjoy cardmaking, practicing yoga, watching reruns of the Office or planning picnics. I have a growing interest in ceramics and calligraphy, and pray that some day I will learn to cook.
First internship/job
My first job was in high school, working at a local bakery called Hansel and Gretel. While I loved packaging fresh bread and stocking the shelves everyday, my favorite task was making coffee! So much so that I was convinced I would travel the world, study all types of coffee flavors and become a barista. Romantic, right?
Best piece of career advice I received
When I was introduced to writing and critiquing resumes, I kept hearing the term "transferable skills." I had difficulty with this concept when I wrote my first resume because I had not reflected upon my experiences in a holistic way. What was I supposed to say about working at Best Buy, aside from "I sold TVs and stereo systems"? When I posed this question to my then Career Services Director and now mentor, she responded with, "Look at all you have done." It was then that I learned how powerful the act of reflecting can be for one's career development. At least it helped me see that I definitely learned more skills than just talking to customers about Smart TVs! Looking back at my experiences from time to time really builds my confidence for my current role, and keeps me excited about new opportunities I'll come across in the future.
Kristen Dittus
Career Counselor
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!
Best piece of career advice I received
Find the intersection of what you love, what you’re good at, and what someone will pay you to do. This is where you’ll find a fulfilling career.
Stephanie Belfiore
Program Assistant
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Bachelor of Science in Retail and Consumer Science
Favorite Places in the City
Walking or running along Crissy Field from Fort Point to Fort Mason, spending time at Crissy Field Beach or Baker Beach, hiking Lands End, exploring all the hidden trails of Golden Gate Park.
Hobbies and Interests
I love running with my dog, hiking, and spending time at the beach. I enjoy gardening, cooking, reading, and traveling 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
Be open to opportunity. It may come when you least expect it, and may present itself in unexpected ways. Be curious and jump at it when it comes your way!
Emily Nahem
Career Counseling Graduate Intern
enahem@usfca.edu
Hamline University – Minnesota
BA in Psychology, Minor in Communication Studies
San Francisco State University - currently
MS in Counseling, Emphasis in Career and College Counseling
Favorite Places in the City
Golden Gate Park, Alamo Square Park, Mt. Davidson, Land’s End, Matching Half Café, Nopa!
Hobbies and Interests
Bike Riding, Ceramics, Tasting food and drinks, camping, traveling, practicing yoga, spending
time at the beach
First internship/job
My first job was at Dairy Queen and I worked there for almost 4 years. I learned about
customer service and the business of making ice cream. I enjoyed creating desserts and getting all of my friends hired there too! After this job and during college, I continued working in the service industry as a waitress.
Best piece of career advice I received
Don’t be afraid to gain experience in a number of fields and jobs to see what interests you and what doesn’t! Experience has been the number one driving force of realizing my passions and envisioning my career path.