Graduate Career Services

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As a professional school, the Ford School places a high priority on the career development of students. The Graduate Career Services Office is staffed with two full-time career counselors who work closely with MPP and MPA students. We also work with a wide range of employers to develop and enhance recruiting relationships with organizations in the US and abroad. Employer outreach efforts are conducted with peer institutions in the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA) as well as specifically for the Ford School.

About Career Services

The mission of our office centers around four priorities:

Information · Connections · Strategy · Support

We seek to:

Provide students with information about the variety of career choices available with a policy degree. We do this through career panels and programs, print and web resources, and individual career counseling.
Connect students and policy employers. This includes active employer outreach to enhance the visibility of the Ford School in all sectors, job posting and resume collection services, access to the Ford School alumni network, on-campus recruiting opportunities, and DC-based networking events.
Assist students in creating an individual strategy for their career goals. We help students develop the skills and tools necessary for writing effective resumes and cover letters, mapping out career paths, evaluating career opportunities and negotiating offers.
Provide support for students through the inevitable highs, lows, and plateaus that accompany career planning and the job search process.

Staff Bios & Contact Info

Jennifer Niggemeier
Director, Graduate Career Services
Joan and Sanford Weill Hall
735 S. State St. #2220
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-3091
(734) 764-8076
jennig@umich.edu

As director, Jennifer is responsible for the strategic direction and management of Ford School Graduate Career Services. Jennifer also leads the Ford School's alumni relations efforts. Jennifer works closely with students, providing individual career counseling and utilizing her 15 years of experience at the Ford School to create strategic connections between alumni and students. Through employer outreach efforts, Jennifer plays a key role in enhancing the visibility of the Ford School and establishing recruiting relationships with employers in the U.S. and abroad. Jennifer is actively involved in the University of Michigan Career Services Network and the Council on Global Engagement. She is an active member of the Career Directors Group with the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA).

Jennifer holds a M.Ed. in College Student Personnel from the University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from The King's College. Prior to coming to the Ford School in 1997, Jennifer worked in career services at the U-M central career office and at Ohio State University. Before making her own career change into career services work, Jennifer worked in employee benefits consulting with The Wyatt Company (now Watson Wyatt Worldwide) in Washington, DC.

Amy C. Johnson, Ed.S., NCC
Assistant Director, Graduate Career Services
Joan and Sanford Weill Hall
735 S. State St. #2220
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-3091
(734) 615-6454
amycjohn@umich.edu

As assistant director, Amy’s primary role is to support Ford School graduate students in the job and internship search process. She helps organize the annual Ford School DC Trip, coordinates internship funding support, and assists in employer development and outreach. Amy is a National Certified Counselor, Limited License Professional Counselor, and member of the National Career Development Association.

Amy holds an Educational Specialist and Master of Science in Counseling and Human Systems from Florida State University as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Michigan State University. Prior to joining the Ford School, she worked as a career counselor at Eastern Michigan University.

Amy Fredell
Recruitment Services Coordinator
Joan and Sanford Weill Hall
735 S. State St. #2200
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-3091
(734) 615-9557
afredell@umich.edu

As recruitment services coordinator, Amy is responsible for connecting interested students with employers from around the world. She arranges employers’ campus visits, coordinates outreach and communication to students and employers, and provides career advising to students. She is also available to answer any eRecruiting questions.

Amy holds a Master of Arts in Career Development from John F. Kennedy University and a Bachelor of Science in Communication from Eastern Michigan University. Prior to working at the Ford School, she was a career development coordinator at Ross Medical Education Center in Ann Arbor. Since 2007, Amy has been advising students regarding careers, and building relationships with employers for job and internship development.

Lindsay Price
Administrative Assistant
Graduate Career Services and Alumni Relations
Joan and Sanford Weill Hall
735 S. State St. #2200
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-3091
(734) 615-9557
ljprice@umich.edu

In her role as Administrative Assistant, Lindsay supports both Graduate Career Services and Alumni Relations. She serves as front-line reception to students, staff, employers, and alumni. She provides a wide range of career related support to graduate students, including compiling electronic resume books and internship reports. Lindsay supports the work of the Alumni Board and ensures the accuracy of alumni records. She also provides support for graduate career services and alumni events and programs, including the annual DC trip.

Lindsay holds a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in International Care and Community Development from Northwest University and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Western Washington University. She relocated to the Ford School from Seattle, Washington where she worked for a large non-profit health cooperative in central business operations. She also held an internship as a career counselor at a small private university in Seattle. Since 2006, Lindsay has offered resourceful and quality administrative services in various professional settings.