“You are the company that you keep”.

This expression rings especially true when I consider the people and opportunities that have shaped my involvement with NACE and how those connections and interactions shaped my professional network.

As a bit of background, prior to working in career services, I spent nearly seven years in international education. One of the highlights of that experience was connecting and networking with professionals at national and international conferences each year—many of whom remain part of my network today. This sense of community strengthened the communal work we were engaged in and allowed me to grow as a young professional in the field. When I moved into career services, I was eager to find that same sense of community, and NACE presented me with the exact opportunities I was looking for.

Since then, I’ve had the privilege of serving on the Career Pathways for our Profession task force, as well as engaging in the Career Services Professionals in Employer Relations Roles Affinity Group. These experiences have expanded my professional network, deepened my understanding of our field, and provided me with a professional home.

An additional highlight of NACE membership is the opportunity to connect with peers in person at the annual NACE Conference, where I’ve been able to participate in events such as affinity group meetups. These in-person meetups provided me with the opportunity for professional growth through networking and benchmarking with a broad range of professionals in employer relations. Even more importantly, it provided me with peers to collectively navigate the unique challenges within our institutions and the broader ecosystem of higher education.

My involvement with the Career Pathways for our Profession task force provides similar opportunities to collaborate across institutions and to connect with peers in various university relations roles on the employer side. One theme that has resonated through this work is that we are all united through our shared mission and values. Ultimately, our shared work unites us as we serve and shape the next generation of the workforce.

The work within a NACE committee has been rewarding, as I have the honor of collaborating with a cohort of colleagues every month. Individually, we bring our unique experiences and insights to help shape the future of NACE and guide members along their career journeys. For those interested in learning more about the Career Pathways for our Profession task force, we will be presenting at NACE25 in Philadelphia.

My professional involvement with NACE has been rewarding and inspiring. This community of professionals regularly reminds me of our shared mission and the crucial role we all play for our students in their career journey. I highly encourage any professional—whether from a college or an employer—to get more involved with NACE. You will quickly find that this will not only grow your network but will also showcase the amazing and supportive community of professionals dedicated to this work. The company that you keep truly inspires, embraces, and welcomes you into the innovative and collaborative work of NACE.