Career Advisor Myesha Cannon Joins the CAS Advising Staff
Students in the College of Arts & Sciences graduate with skills that are highly attractive to employers, regardless of major. Studying in the arts & sciences provides key preparation in problem solving, communication, collaboration, intercultural fluency and more–all skills that lead to success in a fast-paced and increasingly global workplace. Despite gaining these sought-after skills, students in the liberal arts can sometimes find it challenging to connect their educational experiences with what employers are looking for. After working with UM-Flint Career Services since 2016, Myesha Cannon joined the CAS advising team to help students make those connections, and much more.
“It’s very exciting to be focused exclusively on the College of Arts & Sciences. It was a privilege to serve the entire university community, but being a resource specifically for CAS brings some exciting opportunities,” Cannon says. “I can be more in-depth and create meaningful partnerships with academic departments and advisors.”
That collaboration between academic advisors, faculty, and Cannon will create a seamless approach to career readiness for CAS students. Academic advisors will be better equipped to tailor a student’s degree plan to best fit their future career, and faculty will gain additional tools to incorporate career planning in their curriculum and class discussions.
“We want to make sure all of these different areas–academic advisors, faculty, and myself–have a shared vocabulary so students receive consistent messages no matter who they are talking to. We will make a much bigger impact for students when we are all working together,” Cannon says.
Just weeks into her new position, Cannon has already developed priorities for the coming year. At the top of the list is ensuring students create their Handshake profile. In this online platform, students can register for career events, search and apply for internships and job postings, and network with fellow students and alumni. Cannon, along with academic advisor Megan Presland, is also leading the 2020-21 CAS Fridays for Success event series; these monthly sessions bring faculty, academic advisors, and career advisors together for discussions on how best to prepare students for professional life after UM-Flint.
According to College of Arts & Sciences Dean Susan Gano-Phillips, career advisors like Cannon play an invaluable role in ensuring CAS students get the most out of their degree.
“Our goal is to provide students with an education that will serve them in every facet of their lives; we must prepare students to find a rewarding career after graduation and develop adaptability for our constantly changing circumstances. Attending college is a significant investment, and we have a responsibility to give our students the tools to see a return on that investment. Through strategic initiatives and individual career counseling sessions, Myesha will be a difference-maker, helping CAS students to identify and reach their professional goals.”
