Title: Associate Director of Career Development
Employer: Upper West Strategies
Previous Role: Environmental Educator, Student Conservation Association & AmeriCorps Member

Sally was incredibly involved in Integrative Biology and service as an undergraduate, balancing research, field courses, study abroad, service trips, and leadership positions. After graduating she spent nine months in the Philippines as a Fulbright Research Scholar. She translated those passions for people, travel, and nature into Environmental Educator positions across the States. She has educated well over 25,000 people in her many positions across the States and the globe.

Sally currently works as an Associate Director of Career Development at Upper West Strategies managing the LifeSci NYC Internship Program. Her role focuses on raising career awareness, providing application and career coaching support, facilitating internship readiness, and establishing an alumni community. She recruits undergraduate and graduate students of all majors, helps with resumes and cover letters, evaluates their job applications and matches them with employers in the life sciences field in New York City. Prior to that, she taught STEAM project-based programs focused on the built environment to K-12 students at NYC public schools, public housing communities, temporary housings and after-school sites through the Salvadori Center. 

Sally is a great person to talk to about how to translate your experiences and passions into a career, and how to balance your coursework with enrichment experiences. If you love both people and nature, she is also a great person to talk to about career options! Contact Christina Swanson at alumnimentor@sib.illinois.edu if you would like to connect with Sally.