UIC Office of Career Services

Thy Nguyen is new to OCS and UIC and started his position in August of 2012. Thy comes to UIC from Northwestern University where he worked for 12 years both in Career Services and most recently the Career Development Office at the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science. Thy’s prior experience includes work as a human resources manager for the Minneapolis / St Paul Airport and a technical recruiting role for an IT consultancy in Minneapolis. Additional experiences include a one-year position as a school administrator in Honduras and consulting for a non-profit in Chicago. Thy belongs to several professional associations including the National Association of Colleges and Employers, the Cooperative Education and Internship Association, and the Midwest Association of Colleges and Employers.Thy possesses a BA in Communications and a Masters degree in Postsecondary Education and Student Affairs, both from the University of Northern Iowa. Thy also has a certificate in Learning and Organizational Change from Northwestern.

OFFICE OF CAREER SERVICES

Kathyy's primary responsibilities include managing the on-campus interviewing program, overseeing front desk operations, and supervising counseling interns. She is a proud UIC graduate, who worked at Career Services while pursuing her undergraduate degree. Kathyy has worked full time at UIC since 2000 and is a member of the National Career Development Association. She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), and Distance Credentialed Counselor (DCC). Her educational background includes a Master of Arts in Community Counseling and a Master of Education in Human Resources Education.

Stephanie is brand new to the Office of Career Services staff, starting her position mid-January 2012. She possesses a Bachelor’s degree in Education, a Master’s in Guidance and Counseling, and is seeking her LCPC licensure. Stephanie’s career-related interests include strength-based assessments and college-to-career transitions. As an Assistant Director, she primarily serves students from the Colleges of Architecture & the Arts, Education, and Social Work and students in “Teaching of” Programs, but her door is open to students of all majors. She has a particular interest in assisting exploring students match interests, skills, & values to career options. She is a member of both the Midwest Association of College and Employers and the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Stephanie is available for one-on-one appointments and group presentations on networking, interviews, resumes/coverletters, and career exploration.

Jennifer Kass is new to OCS and UIC, joining the team in January 2013. She worked most recently as a Career Advisor serving undergraduate and graduate students at Northeastern Illinois University. Jennifer has a BA in Economics, an MBA from New York University, and has worked in nonprofit, corporate and consulting environments. After obtaining an MA in Counseling from The College of New Jersey, she now is thrilled to have the opportunity to help students and recent grads navigate their own career paths, with a focus on the acquisition of lifelong career development skills. Jennifer’s background makes her especially well-suited to working with College of Business Administration students, but she has worked with students of all majors and continues to do so. She is certified in the Strong Interest Inventory and Myers Briggs Type Indicator career assessments, and is a National Certified Counselor (NCC).

Mark has worked at UIC since 2000. He comes with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Arts in Linguistics, and he is currently pursuing a PhD in Policy Studies in Urban Education at UIC. Mark has professional experience working at Florida International University, Semester at Sea, Inspiration Corporation, and Harold Washington College. As an Assistant Director, he primarily serves students from the Colleges of Applied Health Sciences, Dentistry, and Liberal Arts & Sciences and students from the School of Public Health; however, his door is open to students of all majors. Mark is available for presentations on cover letters, resumes, interviews, and other career development topics.

Jaime has been with OCS for more than sixteen years and is a proud UIC alumnus. He is currently serving as Interim Director overseeing operations of the Office of Career Services and the Student Employment office. As an Assistant Director, he primarily serves students from the Colleges of Engineering, Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy and students in Preprofessional Programs, but his door is open to all majors. He also organizes the official Career Days/Job Fairs at UIC.

Carmen J. Garza
Assistant Director
(312) 996-3130 cjgarza@uic.edu

Carmen joined the Career Services staff in 1998 and moved to Student Employment in 2008, giving her 10 years of experience assisting students with their job search needs. She holds her BA in Management and manages the Student Employment Office.

Monica Gerhardt oversees the Job Location & Development Program (JLD) in the Student Employment Office at UIC. She graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a BS in Media Studies and a minor in Gender & Women Studies. She is available to help students and employers with part-time jobs (on and off campus), resumes/cover letters, interviews and presentations.

Jorge Martinez Romo is a Human Resource Representative for the Office of Career Services and Student Employment Office. He is a proud UIC alumnus who obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Latin American and Latino Studies. He has been working at the Student Employment Office since he was a student. As a Human Resource Representative, he primarily helps students find a variety of employment opportunities on-campus and around the Chicago-land area. The most gratifying aspect of his role in the Student Employment Office is witnessing students’ success.

UIC Office of Career Services

STAFF DIRECTORY

OFFICE OF CAREER SERVICES

STUDENT EMPLOYMENT OFFICE