The Pomerantz Career Center Peer Advisor Program serves as a way for undergraduate UI students to receive high-quality career tips and guidance from their peers.
Career Peers Advisors can help you by:
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Reviewing your resumes and cover letters or providing information on how to get started
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Preparing with you for networking events and Job & Internship Fairs
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Helping you to set up and maximize your Handshake and LinkedIn profiles
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Assisting with job and internship searches and providing interview tips & practice
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Supplying information on Pomerantz Career Center programs, services and resources
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Answering general career-related questions
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Presenting on career-related topics to your student organization or class
In need of some quick career advice? Schedule an appointment with a Career Peer Advisor to chat about your resume, cover letter, LinkedIn, and Handshake:
Or come to the Pomerantz Career Center 10 a.m.–3 p.m., Monday–Thursday for drop-in hours with peer advisors. (Career Peer Advisors are not available during summer, spring, or winter breaks)
Resources to Help Get You Started
Videos:
PDFs:
Webpages:
Student Comments
"My peer advisor spoke to me as a peer and her suggestions for my resume were clear and very helpful."
"This is a great program. I think everyone at the University should use it!"
Elisa Burba
Hometown
Marietta, GA
Majors/Minors
English and History, Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies minor
Career Goals
After completing my undergraduate degree, I hope to enter graduate school with the eventual goal of obtaining a Ph.D. in History and becoming a professor.
Hobbies/Fun Facts
I love to read and crochet, and whenever I am stressed, you can always find me baking something. I also have a cat named Yennifer, and my favorite thing to do is talk about her.
Pakshal Jain
Hometown
Iowa City, IA
Majors/Minors
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Career Goals
My career goal is to become a software engineer in the industry. My goal is to build new technologies and, ultimately, either start my own business or lead a company!
Hobbies/Fun Facts
I enjoy working out, playing sports like tennis and basketball, reading, and playing video games!
Previous Internships
Collins Aerospace, Cedar Rapids, IA; National Advanced Driving Simulator, Coralville, IA
Benjamin Alger
Hometown
DeWitt, IA
Majors/Minors
Business Analytics & Information Systems
Career Goals
Upon completion of my undergraduate career, I plan to work in cybersecurity or a related field. I have always enjoyed problem-solving, and cybersecurity would allow me to do this while also helping to protect important data and software for a company/individual. This career would give me purpose by helping others' information stay safe for their peace of mind and continuing to expand my knowledge through the everchanging IoT!
Hobbies/Fun Facts
I am an avid golfer, Jayhawks fan, and Star Wars nerd! In my free time, I enjoy exercising, eating sushi, listening to podcasts, and my favorite show...Seinfeld!
Danielle Velasquez
Hometown
I am from Wheeling, IL, located in the North Suburbs of Chicago. On a good day I am no more than 40 minutes away from the city!
Majors/Minors
Communications major, Cinema, Music, and Media Management minors, Event Management Certificate
Career Goals
My dream is to one day become the creative director for a company. I am always looking for outside of the box ideas to bring to life and know that this role would allow me to have the creative space I’ve always hoped for.
Hobbies/Fun Facts
I teach private swim lessons and run my own business in the summer! I am Venezuelan, and a first-generation here in the U.S. I have skydived before, and this summer I am going to Colombia where I will paraglide!
Kristen Noel
Hometown
Dubuque, IA
Majors/Minors
Management (Human Resources), Psychology, & Education Studies and Human Relations
Career Goals
Upon graduation, I plan to pursue a role as an HR Generalist or an HR Business Partner. I greatly enjoy the people-facing facets of HR and would possibly like to work in a union environment. Eventually, I would also like to attend graduate school or law school.
Hobbies/Fun Facts
I am a big movie buff and I review every movie I watch on Letterboxd. I also have two cats named Tate and Scout!
Previous Internships
Human Resource Specialist Intern | StudyFind | New York, NY
Human Resources Field Intern | Foremost Farms | Madison, WI
People Success Intern | IndeVets | Philadelphia, PA
James Muszalski
Hometown
Bettendorf, IA
Majors/Minors
Finance and Economics, Psychology minor
Career Goals
My goal is to go to law school after I graduate with my undergraduate degree. I hope to work as a Mergers and Acquisitions attorney at a private firm.
Hobbies/Fun Facts
I love to play sports like basketball and pickleball. I also enjoy reading, cooking and trying new recipes.
Previous Internship
Legal Intern, Vollertsen Britt & Gorsline, Davenport, IA
Management Intern, Dayton Freight Lines, East Moline, IL
Jayden Lo
Hometown
Des Moines, IA
Majors/Minors
Education Studies and Human Relations
Career Goals
My career goal is to be in a position that allows me to advocate for students pursuing education at the higher level and help support their academic, professional, and personal successes.
Hobbies/Fun Facts
I enjoy hanging out with friends, going on hikes, watching movies, and photography. I also love playing tennis and watching women’s basketball games!
Sofia Manzano
Hometown
West Des Moines, IA
Majors/Minors
Spanish and International Studies
Career Goals
Following graduation, I plan to take a gap year and participate in the North American Teaching Assistant Program in Spain for a year. After this program, I plan to work within the international community, specifically with immigrants and refugees. After a few years of work experience, I will return to school for my master's degree.
Hobbies/Fun Facts
I enjoy reading, traveling, and have leopard gecko named Pepe.
Previous Internships
Social Justice and Community Navigator Intern at Immigrant Welcome Network of Johnson County, Iowa City, IA
Legal Intern at Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice, Des Moines, IA
Maggie Fraher
Hometown
Murray, KY
Majors/Minors
Business Management on the Human Resource Track, Certificates: Leadership Studies and International Business
Career Goals
After graduation, I plan to pursue a career in human resources ideally within a higher-level institution. I am particularly drawn to these environments for their diverse opportunities that foster continuous growth and professional development. Additionally, I am passionate about supporting individuals within universities, where I aim to make a meaningful impact on personal and institutional growth.
Hobbies/Fun Fact
I love to play pickleball and go on walks with my friends. A fun fact about me is that I love to travel and visited 7 different states in the summer of 2024.
Madelin Schwager
Hometown
Des Moines, IA
Majors/Minors
Biochemistry and Neuroscience
Career Goals
Get a PhD and work in research
Hobbies/Fun Fact
I love to craft and clean
Previous Internships
Intern, Monsoon Iowa (Violence Prevention Program)
Want to Become a Career Peer Advisor?
We look for new peers each school year. Peer Advisor recruitment takes place each spring semester. We encourage you to meet with a current peer to learn more about what being a Career Peer Advisor is all about! Email Paula Ross, Peer Program Manager, with any questions about the role.
