Jake,

you are a natural connector with a genuine commitment to the development of students in the diverse
environments in which you encounter them. Your resume itself is an exciting story of the opportunities youve embraced
and the skills youve developed during your time in the Student Development Administration program at Seattle
University. From supporting students and developing programs in the International Student Center at Seattle U, to
managing life cycle recruiting, internship programs and HR process improvements at McKinstry, you have welcomed
your new professional experiences with curiosity and gratitude, and embraced your challenges with resilience. As you
have taken time to reflect on and process your difficulties and experiences of dissonance during these past two years,
you have grown in your identity as a professional, mentor and leader.
I remember telling you one day last year that your story of how you came to work at McKinstry is a wonderful example
of Krumboltzs theory of Planned Happenstance. As you know, this career exploration theory is rooted in the belief that
our lives and career paths are well served by paying attention to unplanned events and chance encounters. In exploring
an environment outside of higher education in which to develop new skills, it was your curiosity, competence and
networking abilities that brought you to an interview with McKinstry. That was a great day when you called Monica
Duke and me in Career Services and shared with us the news that you had been hired as a new recruiter!
You have taken your diverse experiences in the SDA program and integrated them so as to continue the important work
of developing your professional identity and focus. While acknowledging the challenges you faced while shifting your
interests outside the traditional landscape of higher education, you welcomed the opportunity to jump in to your new
work at McKinstry with the enthusiasm and humility needed to learn and collaborate in a new environment. I have so
enjoyed our conversations about all you are learning in industry and the ways in which you are able to bring your
student-centered, adaptive leadership style to the work of human resources. You now trust that your skills are
transferrable and you are continuing to develop your own leadership capacities as you make your mark on the work of
human resources.
Jake, the photo you chose for your portfolio is so fitting! You embrace life in all its fullness. You deeply value mentorship
and approach your challenges as learning opportunities. These are essential qualities of the way in which you lead,
rooted in your ethic of care and as Sharon Parks says, your desire to be good company for students. Your curiosity,
motivation, resilience, and collaborative nature are a gift to your current and future colleagues lucky enough to learn
alongside you. Keep developing your skills and networks, continue to learn from your identities and your privilege, and
seek new ways to grow as an advocate and an ally for students and colleagues alike. Continue to embrace diversity, seek
to notice whos not at the table and ask why, develop your emotional intelligence, and endeavor to balance your work
life by prioritizing the relationships, interests and joys in your personal life. You are truly a life-long learner with
openness to your own growth and a genuine commitment to developing as a leader. There will be times in your future
when your path ahead may not be clear, but you will know what to do. You will acknowledge the discomfort of not
knowing where you are going, and then with your characteristic curiosity and optimism, you will put yourself in front of
people and opportunities and let happenstance work its magic once again in your life. I cant wait to see where the road
takes you!
Best wishes,

Sarah Thomson