By Sue McMurray
When industry professionals serve as judges, mentors, or coaches, it’s not just about giving back to their profession. It’s also about investing in the next generation of leaders and creating lasting impacts.
This philosophy is central to Juli Potts’s professional role at Johnson Bixby but also her personal life. Among other forms of service to the Carson College, Potts volunteers as a coach in the WSU Vancouver Carson Coaching program.
Each spring, the program pairs interested students with volunteer mentors. It is a unique opportunity for business and pre-business students to receive one-on-one coaching from a seasoned professional in their desired industry. The coaching relationships benefit students’ professional development, providing socialization and personal support to facilitate success in college and beyond.
“At work, we call it ‘the ripple effect,’ where our efforts create a chain reaction that benefits our clients, team members, and community,” Potts says. “Coaching students in the local area, sharing my experiences, and offering insights into the profession are meaningful ways I contribute to this ripple effect.”
Coaching sessions lead to a growth mindset
Bart Rijmenams, a business administration major, met with Potts to learn more about the human resources field he’s planning to enter and to discuss HR topics such as benefits and hiring. Rijmenams also visited Potts’s office to learn more about company dynamics. He says he realized how deeply entangled HR is within a company’s values and how a positive leadership style can change the culture for the better.
“The most eye-opening thing for me was learning that patience and accepting people at different skill levels are an important state of mind if you want to be in HR,” Rijmenams says. “I am hoping to be part of a positive change within the HR construct wherever I go.”
Coaches help students find new confidence
Andy LaFrazia (’98 MBA), an Air Force veteran and retired general manager at Vexos-Controltek, began mentoring Carson students through WSU Vancouver’s Business Growth Mentor and Analysis Program (BG MAP) before serving on college advisory boards and in the coaching program.
“I encourage students to be active and work on their networking and communication skills,” LaFrazia says. “They need to be prepared for lifelong learning and not be intimidated by rapidly changing technology.”
LaFrazia recently coached David Goebel, a junior majoring in management information systems, who is planning a career in tech sales or data analytics. As an introvert, Goebel says the coaching sessions helped him gain confidence, connect with several industry professionals, and understand employer expectations.
“I’ve often preferred to work independently; however, through coaching, I realized the importance of self-promotion and the impact of strategic networking,” Goebel says. “Knowing the right people and understanding industry dynamics can be just as crucial as technical qualifications.”
Coach Amy Ott (’91 Poli. Sci.), business and workforce education director for the Greater Vancouver Chamber, was also motivated to get involved with the Carson College after witnessing the value of the BG MAP program in southwest Washington. She strives to offer the support she wishes she’d had early in her career.
“The gaps I’m seeing in students’ professional development are a lack of understanding of how to make professional connections and lack of participation in career-related internships or paid employment,” Ott says.
Active listening, role playing, job shadowing, and case studies on empathy are some of Ott’s strategies. She also helps mentees refine their social media profiles and professional demeanor.
Her mentee, Nishita Naresh, a hospitality business management major who wants to open her own business, says Ott helped her improve her résumé so that it appeals to hiring managers and gets past the initial AI scan some companies are using.
“I was surprised to learn my résumé format was completely incorrect,” Naresh says. “We spent about two hours digging through each section. Amy explained the importance of tailoring your résumé toward the job you want.”
Mentee Kiersten Brightbill pays it forward
For Kiersten Brightbill (’24 Accounting, Finance), participating in multiple coaching sessions was a great opportunity to build her networking skills while attending WSU Vancouver virtually during COVID-19.
“At the time, I didn’t know any business professionals, and it was difficult to meet them without in-person networking events,” she says. “I was also looking for career path guidance, because I was trying to decide between majoring in accounting or finance and wasn’t sure which would be a better fit for me.”
Her coaches, one of whom was Tony Andrade, a partner at Moss Adams in Portland, helped her determine that accounting was the right path. He says his goal is to provide students with a better understanding of their career paths, what an employer is looking for, and to remove some of the uncertainty or anxiety related to job hunting.
After seeing how beneficial it was to have a mentor during the first few years of college, Brightbill mentored a few students herself as a teaching assistant and Beta Alpha Psi officer.
“Becoming a mentor was an awesome, full-circle moment,” she says, “and my experience with the Carson Coaching program helped launch my career.”
To learn more about the Carson Coaching Program, please contact van.cb@wsu.edu or 360-546-9750.
