GPI - JoAnne Amann, Career Counselor
By Sarah Parron
Staff Writer
What is your academic and professional background?
I have a bachelor's degree in social welfare from Adelphi University in Garden City, New York, and I entered the field of social work. Initially, I worked as an alcoholism counselor at a very comprehensive alcoholism center in Long Island. Then I came up to visit friends in Massachusetts and just walked into a potential employer's opportunity just to introduce myself. And suddenly, I was being interviewed, which I didn't plan. So I had to make that decision. Should I move to Massachusetts? Which I did. And I worked in that field for a while, and then I also worked as a social worker for what was then the Department of Social Services, working with families and children dealing with child neglect and abuse. I stayed there for about six years, and then started to explore what I could do with my previous skills in counseling and guiding people in a different type of setting. And I conducted many, many, many informational interviews with people in all sorts of areas. And I ended up going back to school. I went to Worcester State to start with a certificate program in human resource development and training and development. I became very involved with a professional association, American Society of Training and Development, and started to make a lot of contacts. Eventually, I completed my master's with Worcester State, and I ended up completing a master's in education with a concentration in adult learning. So it was really interesting to me because when I went back to school, I wanted to find out what motivated people to enter certain careers, or change their career. I had this natural curiosity, and I ended up working for a company in the outplacement field. We helped companies when they had to lay off large groups of employees. And we would greet the employees. Many times, they were shocked if they weren't anticipating that. And then we offered them support with a resume, job searching, interview preparation, all of that. So I spent quite a few years doing that. And then - because I love to network and keep in touch with people - a friend of mine, who I worked with in the outplacement business, had entered higher ed. So she worked at BU for a while, and then she worked at Simmons University. And I had a conversation with her, and she said, “You know, JoAnne, what we did in the outplacement world is very similar to what I'm doing now in higher ed, in career services,” So I said, “Oh, I'm definitely interested,” and at some point, she did get in touch with me, and she said, “JoAnne, would you be interested in a temporary contract to join our team at Simmons?” And I said, “Yes, that would be great.” So that's how I started. And then I worked there for about five years, and I also worked at Worcester State, going back to where I went for my graduate degree, and I worked part time for them in the career services office. At the same time, at that point, I applied here, and I joined in the fall of 2014.
What are some of your responsibilities that you have in your role?
As a career counselor, a big part of what I will do is meet individually, one-on-one with students, and they are able to sign up on Starfish, and they can initiate what we're going to be talking about. When they sign up on Starfish, they can select resume, which I will say is probably one of the most popular requests for appointments, and we help in so many other ways. If someone doesn't know what their major is, we can help them explore. We have amazing resources such as what to do with a major, and we can guide the student through what you could do with a major that's not very specific - like, an education major knows exactly what steps they'll be taking, but what if you're a history major, or psychology major, or a criminology major? There's so many ways and directions to go. So we definitely help with that. And if people want to learn a little bit more about themselves, their interests, we have a strong interest inventory test assessment. We can help students learn a little bit more about their interests and the kind of work environments that might match their personality. And it's very helpful for anyone, but especially someone who has not determined their major. So that's a big part of what I do. We also, as career counselors, are invited into classroom presentations.
What are some hobbies and activities that you like to do?
So one of the things that I started a few years ago, because I always wanted to, was learn to play the piano. I started to actually take lessons virtually, and a lot of people think that can't be done, but I have a good friend who is trained in teaching, but also she is an amazing piano player. So during COVID times, when she wasn't able to go into the classroom, she opened up this opportunity to teach virtually. So I started, and I had to basically tell her, I just know the basics. So I've continued to do that, and I occasionally will have virtual recitals for just my friends. I've made progress. I really enjoy it. I have a few favorite [songs] that I continue to go back to.
What do you love about FSU beyond your job?
I just like the fact that it's a smaller campus, and I feel like I can really get to know other staff members in other departments and work in conjunction with them. I think the students benefit from that. I would hope that maybe that's one of the reasons why students have selected Framingham State, because it is a smaller campus setting where you really can get to know your professors and the staff members and get involved.
Anything else you’d like to tell us?
We do every Wednesday, midday - we have what we call coffee chats, and that's when employers have requested to come on campus to meet with our students. So I would hope that students practice talking with employers at something mild like that, versus that big, huge career fair, you know? ’Cause the more comfortable students are, just having a nice friendly conversation with employers, the more prepared they'll be when it counts when they're interviewing for an internship or looking for that entry-level job. So watch for us on campus. I think we're easy to find in the McCarthy Center, on the 5th floor, room 510. But you will see us out there and about on campus.
