Here to help
Monmouth College’s Wackerle Center helps students get where they want to go
Wackerle Career and Leadership Center staff (from left to right): Stephanie Kinkaid, Billy Bernard, Marnie Dugan ’95, Jake McLean ’15 and Rhonda Spence
The Wackerle Career and Leadership Center is one of the most comprehensive resources available to Monmouth College students, offering assistance with finding professional opportunities and a purpose in life that they can carry with them beyond graduation.
“What we try to do here is bigger than just finding them a job,” said Wackerle Center director Marnie (Steach) Dugan ’95. “We want students to discover their path to a meaningful and fulfilling life.”
Wackerle Center staff members hope that students will begin their connection with their office during their freshman year, using the center’s resources to help them discern their academic major and interests in cocurricular activities, and also to get the most benefit from other services, such as résumé assistance and building leadership skills.
“The more times a student receives assistance and direction throughout their time at Monmouth, the better their chances are of finding graduate school and career opportunities after graduation,” said Dugan.
The Wackerle Center uses information that students provide to connect them with Monmouth’s alumni network, assist with internship placement and help determine students’ interests for post-graduation employment.
Amber Berge of Port Byron Ill., who will graduate in May with a degree in public relations and communication studies, has plans in place to start her career at the Quad City Area Convention and Visitor Center, where she will help attract tourists and plan events in the QC area. The Wackerle Center helped her create her initial resume, as well as update it throughout her junior and senior year.
“I was impressed with how well a second set of eyes can make a difference when it comes to creating the perfect resume,” said Berge.
Another senior, Kylee Winiecki of Des Plaines, has also secured a position after graduation. She will use the skills she developed as a business and accounting major in her work as a tax associate at the accounting firm, RSM US LLP.
“I started my process with the Wackerle Center my junior year, and they helped me find openings and applications for positions,” said Winiecki, who ultimately landed the RSM job through a career fair. She said she is “very grateful” to the Wackerle Center for helping her secure internships and build connections, along with conducting mock interviews.
“If you know how to use them and their resources, they can be very helpful,” says Winiecki. “However, you also have to be willing to put in the work to make your résumés and interview skills better.”
“What we try to do here is bigger than just finding them a job,” said Wackerle Center director Marnie (Steach) Dugan ’95. “We want students to discover their path to a meaningful and fulfilling life.”
Wackerle Center staff members hope that students will begin their connection with their office during their freshman year, using the center’s resources to help them discern their academic major and interests in cocurricular activities, and also to get the most benefit from other services, such as résumé assistance and building leadership skills.
“The more times a student receives assistance and direction throughout their time at Monmouth, the better their chances are of finding graduate school and career opportunities after graduation,” said Dugan.
The Wackerle Center uses information that students provide to connect them with Monmouth’s alumni network, assist with internship placement and help determine students’ interests for post-graduation employment.
Amber Berge of Port Byron Ill., who will graduate in May with a degree in public relations and communication studies, has plans in place to start her career at the Quad City Area Convention and Visitor Center, where she will help attract tourists and plan events in the QC area. The Wackerle Center helped her create her initial resume, as well as update it throughout her junior and senior year.
“I was impressed with how well a second set of eyes can make a difference when it comes to creating the perfect resume,” said Berge.
Another senior, Kylee Winiecki of Des Plaines, has also secured a position after graduation. She will use the skills she developed as a business and accounting major in her work as a tax associate at the accounting firm, RSM US LLP.
“I started my process with the Wackerle Center my junior year, and they helped me find openings and applications for positions,” said Winiecki, who ultimately landed the RSM job through a career fair. She said she is “very grateful” to the Wackerle Center for helping her secure internships and build connections, along with conducting mock interviews.
“If you know how to use them and their resources, they can be very helpful,” says Winiecki. “However, you also have to be willing to put in the work to make your résumés and interview skills better.”
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