Joanna Wiseley is determined to help you find a successful job.
Her resume includes a list of duties as Hillsdale College's career planning director. Not only is she responsible for daily operations in the fast-paced Career Planning and Placement Office, but she also coordinates on-campus recruiting programs for academic majors and special events, along with being an individual career counselor.
Phew.
Among the busy days and all the work, Wiseley said she is motivated by the positive response she receives from the students and by the support that she gets from the administration to implement programs.
Her favorite part?
“Variety,” Wiseley said. “I am never bored and you students keep me young.”
Working with students is a large part of Joanna Wiseley's world in the Career Planning and Placement Office. As a former high school teacher and coach, Wiseley said she has always found energy from the young people she works with.
Wiseley was a 1976 graduate and came back to work for Hillsdale after serving as a volunteer on the Alumni Executive Board of the college.
“I took the position as I couldn't think of a better job than serving my alma mater,” Wiseley said.
She added, “My college experience at Hillsdale taught me about loyalty, friendship and leadership, and I wanted to give back to the institution that had given me so much.”
“I believe in what Hillsdale's focus is and I like the challenge of making others see it, too,” Wiseley said. “I have truly enjoyed the relationships that I have gained through my job. Many alums that I have worked with in school call me later in life to hire students from Hillsdale. What a testimony to their experience at Hillsdale College.”
In her time working for the college, Wiseley has taken on many tasks. She said the Career Planning and Placement Office coordinates seminars and workshops that provide the students with the tools and skills necessary to launch an effective job search or graduate school search.
This semester, they are offering a four-part seminar on “Building Your Professional Image.” The four sessions include: “Body Language & First Impressions,” “Dress for Success,” “The Art of Mingling” and a “Mocktail Reception” with people from local businesses.
Wiseley added that this semester also offers “Business Dining Etiquette,” an interview skill workshop and mock interviews. She explained that the program will use two outside speakers that are professional image makers.
But for Joanna Wiseley, her work does not stop here.
“Doing research and reviewing materials that we can use to help students is also a big part of my job,” Wiseley said. “[By conducting] a telephone survey, staff member Vicky Arno helps to complete our graduate placement report. We work hard to get in touch with all of the graduates each year.”
In addition to being the career planning director, Wisely is also the commencement coordinator and the senior class adviser.
“I have served as senior class adviser for 15 years. I was drafted,” Wiseley said, laughing. “The job came with this position and it is really fun to be with the students out of my work environment.”
Wiseley said that she “enjoy[s] celebrating their successes and helping them through challenging times.”
Side by side with the senior class officers, Wiseley assists in planning senior events like tailgates, patio parties and other spotlight events. Tomorrow night Wiseley will be chaperoning a ‘Senior Night Out' karaoke party at the Elks.
“It should be a great time for all,” Wisely said, “I promise not to sing.”
Senior Class Vice President Amy Stone said working with Wiseley has been a wonderful experience this year.
“She is so enthusiastic about everything she does, and she makes our jobs incredibly easy through her organization and passion for what she does,” Stone said.
Stone said that Wiseley “truly gives us all leadership through example in being such a prideful and hard working alumna of Hillsdale College.”
Last remarks from Wiseley?
“I love my job.”
We love you, too, Joanna.