By Katie Wuchter
You may recognize me from your initial interaction with the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business; however, some of you now know me as your classmate. I have been a part of the Kellstadt recruitment team for more than three years now. Having already earned my master’s in counseling, I decided to partake in a new journey to expand my knowledge in recruitment by completing a master’s degree in human resources at Kellstadt. Like my fellow classmates, I’m eager to continue learning and to avoid becoming stagnant in a career.
Choosing Kellstadt
One of the hardest things about starting a new graduate program is ensuring that it is the right next step as well as fit for you. Luckily, as someone who works at DePaul’s business college, I was in a position where I was able to get first-hand knowledge of the student experience and make personal connections with the faculty prior to even starting the program.
Because of this, I feel that I’m able to be fully authentic in my career for the first time in my life. Now from a Kellstadt student perspective, I can personally guarantee that what my team has been preaching to their students is completely accurate.
I am experiencing all the devotion from our faculty members that I’ve spoken to prospective students about as a staff member, and I’m personally benefitting from the commitment that our Kellstadt Career Management Center team provides to students.
Each week, for example, my academic advisor lays out all of the upcoming events, deadlines and notifications to make sure I am on track with my program. This high level of communication leads to our incredible student success. With all of our departments being so hands-on and focused on customer service with our students, it’s no wonder we had the highest fall 2020 enrollment in graduate business school since 2010! Our reputation proceeds us and the word is out.
Diving Back into the Classroom
My first class with Clinical Professor Stephanie Dohrn, called Human Capital Strategy & Science, reignited my passion and solidified my decision to return to higher education to pursue the Master of Science in Human Resources degree. Taking that first class truly increased my excitement to do more within my staff role and to strengthen my connections throughout other departments at DePaul.
Throughout the online course, Clinical Professor Dohrn displayed her passion and knowledge for the content fluidly. I caught myself smiling and enjoying what I was learning throughout the entire class as she challenged us to think outside the box and put our personal perspectives and experiences into play.
I only just started my second course at Kellstadt with Senior Instructor Sharon Glennon and she has already declared her passion for ensuring students have a positive experience and a smooth, enjoyable transition, from the moment we add her class to our schedule. This is what you get here at DePaul. Faculty who care about YOU.
Coming Full Circle
During my next Kellstadt Graduate School of Business information session, which I lead as part of my role, I can proudly explain how we are different from other universities. We are a family, whether you are just beginning or have graduated many years ago. Making the decision to go here can truly elevate you to higher levels in more realms of your life than you can possibly imagine. It’s about the experience as much as the content. The people here strengthen you and I cannot wait to see what else is in store for my career because I plan to grow here for a very long time.
If I could leave you with one piece of advice, I would tell you to make connections as often as you can. You never know how that person – student, faculty or staff member – can affect your career. Graduate school is all about what you make of it.
If your goal is to earn your degree as quickly as possible while keeping your head down, then to each their own. But if you’re like me and want to grow and learn from the people around you, then start by sending a simple email or hello on LinkedIn and watch your network expand! You may not need their help at the moment, but it never hurts to know you have an additional resource for future reference.
Lastly, utilize the Kellstadt Career Management Center and develop relationships with the people there who have their foot in the industry you’re interested in. I have preached about their talents and passions to all of my students and every bit of it is true. They want to see you succeed, and I do too. Best of luck, and I hope you enjoy the journey.
Katie Wuchter is an assistant director of recruitment for the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business. She graduated from Eastern Illinois University with her bachelor’s in sociology and business administration and earned a master’s in counseling from Lewis University. She is currently pursuing a master’s in human resources management at Kellstadt to expand her knowledge in recruitment and selection. She hopes to expand her network within the DePaul chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management.
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