The Pomerantz Career Center values campus partners who invest in their growth to better support students, and we are proud to highlight Career Connectors who demonstrate leadership and dedication to student career success.
Meet David Supp-Montgomerie
Associate Professor, Communication Studies, Director of Undergraduate Studies
How do you intentionally connect your course content to real-world applications or career pathways?
"Communication is inherently practical. In my courses, students practice the kinds of communication challenges they will face in professional and civic life—presenting ideas clearly, facilitating discussions, analyzing media messages, and navigating disagreement. Many assignments simulate real-world situations such as leading meetings, analyzing public controversies, or presenting research to non-academic audiences. My goal is for students to leave a class not only understanding communication concepts, but also having practiced skills they will use in workplaces, communities, and leadership roles."
What transferable skills do students develop in your courses/department that they may not immediately recognize as career-ready skills?
"Students often underestimate how valuable communication skills are. In our courses they learn to listen carefully, adapt messages to different audiences, analyze complex information, and communicate clearly in writing and speaking. These abilities—critical thinking, audience awareness, collaboration, and ethical decision-making—are transferable across nearly every profession. Employers consistently report that these communication skills are among the most important qualities they seek in graduates."
What does “career readiness” mean to you within your discipline?
"For me, career readiness is less about training students for a single job and more about preparing them to navigate complex professional environments. Communication students learn how organizations function, how public messages shape society, and how people collaborate across differences. When students graduate with the ability to analyze situations, communicate strategically, and work constructively with others, they are prepared for a wide range of careers and leadership roles."
What impact do you hope your mentorship has on students after they leave the University of Iowa?
"I hope students leave with confidence in their ability to communicate thoughtfully and responsibly in the world. Whether they are leading teams, participating in community discussions, or representing their organizations, communication shapes outcomes. If my mentorship helps students approach those situations with curiosity, ethical awareness, and a commitment to understanding others, then I consider that a success."
How do you encourage students who feel uncertain or overwhelmed about their future careers?
"Many students feel pressure to have a clear career plan very early in college. I encourage them to think instead about building strong skills and exploring different interests. Communication is a flexible major that prepares students for many paths—business, nonprofit work, media, public service, and graduate study. When students focus on developing their abilities to analyze problems, collaborate with others, and communicate effectively, they position themselves well for opportunities they may not even know exist yet."
How do you help students articulate the value of what they are learning in your course to employers or graduate programs?
"One of the most important steps is helping students translate academic work into professional language. For example, a class presentation becomes experience communicating complex ideas to an audience. A research project becomes evidence of analytical and problem-solving skills. A group project demonstrates teamwork and leadership. By making those connections explicit, students can better explain how their education prepares them to contribute meaningfully in professional settings."