Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills

Dr. Clara Ramirez earned her BSE in Mechanical Engineering and BA in German Studies in 2020, followed by a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from UConn in 2024. She now works as a Lead Model-Based Systems Engineer at Johnson Space Center. She encourages students to be intentional, embrace challenges as learning opportunities, and stay curious as they navigate their careers.

Assistant Professor in Residence Dr. Calvert brings a career shaped by exploration into the classroom. With experience spanning chemistry, consulting, engineering, and sales, he helps UConn students navigate career uncertainty, emphasizing curiosity, reflection, and the real-world skills that employers value most.

In the early days of the pandemic, many UConn engineering graduate students logged into virtual classes feeling uncertain, isolated, and unsure of where to find career support. For Dr. Faye, this moment became a catalyst. Now an Assistant Professor in Residence and Director of Engineering Education Initiatives, she is transforming how graduate students engage with career readiness.

Aayushi Verma, a second-year PhD student in UConn’s School of Computing, who is growing as both a researcher and a leader. Through her work with the John Lof Leadership Academy and the GradLife Committee, she exemplifies how leadership can drive personal and professional growth in graduate education.

Gaining internship opportunities can be an overwhelming process, however, accessing the Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills resources can be a guiding light through the process. Take Calla Kutschke, a sophomore Environmental Engineering major at UConn, as proof! From attending career fairs, utilizing our AI resume analyzer (Quinncia), and scheduling career coaching appointments, Calla was able to gain multiple internship experiences. Read on to learn more about Calla, her experiences on and off campus, and her advice for students of the Women’s affinity community. 

Here are a few highlights from our new portfolio guide, designed to help you get started in your portfolio process!

While the number of women in STEM has increased over the years, women still account for only 35% of the STEM workforce. Here are a variety of professional organizations to support students and professionals looking to enter a variety of STEM fields! Read on to learn what they offer.

Meet Leanne Pittsford, a passionate activist and business-owner who dedicates her time to creating more inclusive environments for women, nonbinary individuals and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Class of 2023 alumni Shahib Khalfalla shares his experiences as a first-generation professional, and offers advice to first-generation students on how to find support and resources.