Career Path Of A Professional Development Manager At University Of San Diego
Konnor started as a psychology major at San Diego State University, with an internship at Moores Cancer Research Center, but realized academic research wasn't for them after graduation, leading to a role with a social and emotional training company that involved extensive travel, revealing "a love for education and passion for working with students". This passion drove the pursuit of a master's in education and later led to a role at an ed-tech startup before finding current position at the University of San Diego, where a desire to guide college students during a formative time is fulfilled.
Career Path, Internships, Education, Social Emotional Learning, University Career Services
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Konnor McMillen
Professional Development Manager
University of San Diego
San Diego State University
University of California- Santa Barbara
Psychology
Education
Education
Honors Student, Worked 20+ Hours in School, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Internship Experience: Konnor had an internship at Moores Cancer Research Center during their time at SDSU. Although it was a valuable experience, they felt they could have leveraged the networking and learning opportunities more effectively, which highlights the importance of actively engaging in internships.
2. Discovering Passion Through Experience: After graduating, Konnor took a job with a social and emotional training company that involved extensive travel. Through this role, they discovered a passion for education and working with students, leading them to pursue a master's degree in education. This illustrates how unexpected job experiences can reveal one's true interests and career path.
3. Importance of Networking: Konnor's transition to the University of San Diego was facilitated by a colleague who introduced them to their former supervisor. This emphasizes the significance of networking and building professional relationships, as connections can open doors to new opportunities.
Transcript
Could you walk me through your career path, starting with your experiences in college? Did you have any internships or jobs before your current role?
I completed my bachelor's degree at San Diego State University. I majored in psychology because I had really enjoyed an honors psychology class in high school and just committed to it.
During college at SDSU, I interned within the joint SDSU-UCSD doctorate program at Moores Cancer Research Center. I worked there as a research assistant. It was a good internship, but I don't think I fully leveraged the networking and experience I gained.
After graduating, I didn't have a clear next step. I initially considered master's or PhD programs, but after getting a taste of academic research, I realized it wasn't for me. I spent a few months after graduation exploring different job opportunities, considering business and other fields.
I ended up finding a job with a social and emotional training company. What appealed to me wasn't necessarily the field of education itself, but that the role was very travel-focused, which was a major priority for me at that time in my life.
It was a great job where I got to travel to Southeast Asia and all around the United States to deliver programs. Through this experience, I discovered my love for education and passion for working with students. This motivated me to pursue a master's degree in education to gain more formal training and experience.
I earned my master's in education from the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB). Afterward, I worked for about a year and a half with an ed-tech startup called Ever Scouts, also focusing on developing social-emotional skills in students. I really enjoyed that role; it allowed me to be creative, offered flexibility, and it was fun building something from scratch as a startup.
Unfortunately, like many startups, Ever Scouts was unable to secure funding. This led me to the University of San Diego. A colleague introduced me to my former supervisor, Grace Williamson, who is still at USD.
I saw this as a great opportunity to return to working with students, particularly college students, as I recognized it as a formative time in my life. I felt I could share my experiences and what I've learned with students as they navigate their paths and careers.