Beth E Settje

Associate Director, Experiential Learning & College to Career Transitions | Pronouns: She/Her

Arriving at the UConn Career Center in fall 2001 as a part-time temporary employee, I became a permanent member a few months later and have worked in the department ever since. My current focus is to help and guide students through their college transitions, whether that be while they prepare for Experiential Learning opportunities such as internships and co-ops, or plan for their lives after graduation as they finish their senior year and participate in the SYE – Senior Year Experience course.

When I was a student, campus leadership roles helped me realize that my marketing major didn’t define me or dictate my career. Instead, in my senior year I decided to shift directions and to go to graduate school to work in higher education. Studying business was not a waste of time, however; my undergraduate degree provided the academic foundation I needed to be successful in graduate school, work, and life. 

Bio

Hometown: Ocean Township, NJ 

Things I enjoy: Reading is more than a hobby for me, as I am also a book reviewer for NetGalley and AudioFile, have a blog where I recommend books, am part of a book club, and am actively involved with my town’s library. Though I prefer general fiction, I occasionally will dive into a memoir, low fantasy/magical realism, or mystery. In addition, I regularly volunteer with a local cat shelter and sit on their board of directors, as well as have two cats at home. In my free time, I like going to the theater to see a show, preferably a musical. My sweet tooth often gets the better of me, as I have a serious weakness for milk chocolate, brownies, ice cream, Sour Patch Kids, and sweet tea. Having grown up on the Jersey Shore, spending time at the beach with my family and friends is a favorite way for me to relax and wind down. 

Advice to students: Find a major where you enjoy what you are studying, where the homework doesn’t feel like a chore. If you like what you are learning, you are more likely to do well and potentially have a strong GPA. Combine your academic enthusiasm with out of classroom experiences that help you become career ready, to position yourself for success after college. It can be something organized like a club or internship or less structured, like a conversation with an advisor or faculty during office hours. Sometimes the next great opportunity is within reach if you just grab it. 

Education

University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Master of Education, College Student Personnel (Now: Higher Education and Student Affairs)
Favorite Project: Designing “Pangaea” – a college of the future as part of a capstone group project  

Beaver College, (now Arcadia University), Glenside, PA
Bachelor of Science, Business Administration – Marketing; English Minor
Study Abroad: University of Lancaster, Lancaster, England
Favorite Experience: Chairing the Student Government Food Committee as a first year student, campaigning to improve dinner options in the Dining Hall, which led to future leadership roles on campus

Previous Roles

  • Assistant Director, UConn Center for Career Development, Storrs, CT 
  • Internship Coordinator, UConn Center for Career Development, Storrs, CT 
  • Career Consultant, UConn Center for Career Development, Storrs, CT
  • Career and Academic Advisor, Mitchell College, New London, CT 
  • Student Activities and Orientation Director, Mitchell College, New London, CT 
  • Admissions Representative and Career Advisor, UConn, Waterbury, CT 
  • Student Activities Director, Mass Bay Community College, Wellesley, MA 
  • Area Coordinator, Eastern CT State University, Willimantic, CT 
  • Residential Life Operations Graduate Assistant, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 
  • Public Relations Intern, Office of Communications, Beaver College, PA