HireBig10+ Career Consortium Acknowledges CES Staff Member as the 2023 Outstanding Career Services Supervisor
This July, the HireBig10+ Career Consortium recognized Michelle Galando, associate director of industry-to-campus connections within the Rutgers Office of Career Exploration and Success, as this year’s Outstanding Career Services Supervisor at the Allerton 2023 Conference.
This award recognizes an individual who supervises at least three full-time staff within a career services department for at least one year. The honoree has shown genuine support and regard for their team, promotes teamwork while supporting individual well-being, and has demonstrated a commitment to the professional development of employees.
Michelle has been part of the Office of Career Exploration and Success for nearly ten years, working in various capacities, starting as a recruiting programs coordinator and, most recently, as an associate director. During her time, she has organized numerous networking events, developed strong relationships with employers, and secured increased funding for the department through the Knights of the Round Table program.
Many that work on Michelle's team feel they experience genuine support, advocacy, and encouragement from her leadership. They noted that Michelle has always taken the time to direct her team and sit with them individually to understand their goals. As a result, many team members have been given opportunities to grow and expand their skills. In 2021, with Michelle's advocacy, her entire team was promoted from an administrative level to a professional level. Sharon Fash, industry-to-campus connector, said, “Michelle is professional, honest, flexible, creative, and encouraging; she is a pleasure to work with,” while Catarina Caulfield, industry-to-campus connector, adds, “Michelle embodies leadership and professionalism. I have felt immense support during my time on her team and have always appreciated her authenticity, and genuine concern for me professionally and personally. I am incredibly proud of her for receiving this well-deserved recognition.” Shalini Jain, industry-to-campus connector, emphasizes, "Michelle's excellent organization and time management skills keep our team organized and deliver projects on time, contributing to our team and CES's success. I’m thankful for attending conferences after the pandemic that support my professional development and help network with employers to build relationships. Networking is vital in my role to assist our students in finding the right opportunities and achieving their career goals."
William Jones, executive director for the office said, "We are immensely proud of Michelle's exceptional contributions to advancing the interests of Rutgers students. Her dedication and expertise in cultivating strong relationships between recruiters and students have fostered successful career outcomes. Furthermore, Michelle's commitment to sharing her knowledge and collaborating with the broader career services community is truly commendable. “
Michelle’s direct supervisor Janet Jones states, “Michelle’s leadership and supervision of her team has been exemplary! Her leadership style is supportive, constructive, and communicative, ensuring individual professional development as well as team success”.
William also adds, “This achievement also speaks volumes about the collective strength and talent within CES. It is a testament to the remarkable efforts of our team that numerous members have been recognized by the Big 10 and regional career services community in recent years. We take great pride in our commitment to providing outstanding career services and opportunities for our students." The Office of Career Exploration and Success at Rutgers University-New Brunswick is honored to have another one of their very own career service professionals earn this esteemed recognition from the Hire Big10+ Career Consortium.
