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Graduate Career Services

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

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.

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 works closely with students, providing individual career counseling primarily to 2nd year and graduating dual degree 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 US and abroad. She is a recent co-chair of the Career Officers group of the Association of Professional School of International Affairs (APSIA). She is also involved with the Career Services Committee of the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs & Administration (NASPAA).

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 UM central career office and at The 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.

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

As Assistant Director, Tom works primarily with 1st year students providing individual career counseling and internship search assistance. He organizes the annual Ford School DC Trip, coordinates internship funding support, and assists in employer development efforts. Tom is a National Certified Career Counselor and member of the National Career Development Association Leadership Academy.

Tom holds an M.Ed. in Counseling and Career Development from Colorado State University and a B.S. in Criminology from Florida State University. Prior to coming to the Ford School, Tom worked for three years as a Career Counselor at Oregon State University in Corvallis working with both undergraduate and graduate students.

Amy Fredell
Recruitment Services Coordinator
Joan and Sanford Weill Hall
735 S. State St. #2220
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.

Paula Wishart
Career Consultant
Joan and Sanford Weill Hall
735 S. State St. #2220
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-3091
(734) 615-9557
pwishart@umich.edu

As a Career Consultant, Paula works with 1st and 2nd year students providing career counseling and consulting on the internship and job search process. She conducts workshops on a variety of topics including, interviewing, developing professional networks, and salary negotiation. She draws some of her expertise from her experience hiring and training for large for-profit and smaller non-profit organizations.

Paula holds a Master of Arts in Higher Education with an emphasis in counseling from Bowling Green State University and her Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Michigan. In addition to her role at the Ford School, Paula works at The Career Center here at Michigan and has worked in the Survey Research Center at the Institute for Social Research. She has also worked for Procter and Gamble and in training and development for Ford Motor Company.

Kersta Gustafson
Administrative Assistant
Joan and Sanford Weill Hall
735 S. State St. #2220
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-3091
(734) 615-9557
gkersta@umich.edu

In her role as Administrative Assistant, Kersta supports both Graduate Career Services and Student Services. In Graduate Career Services, she assists in maintaining and updating eRecruiting, compiling resume books and internship reports, and provides a full range of administrative support. In Student and Academic Services, she provides student, program and administrative support, assisting in the resolution of routine inquiries regarding admission, financial aid, fellowships, advising, registration and counseling.

Kersta is a 2010 graduate of the University of Michigan with a bachelor's degree in Biology. Her most recent job experience comes from working in U-M Housing and Recreational Sports.