Beyond KU

The Beyond KU panel series showcases the variety of interdisciplinary options it takes for any given industry to operate. From different job titles within one industry to one job title spread out among a variety of industries.

Upcoming Events

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Public Service Careers
in Topeka

Tuesday, March 4th, 2024 | 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Hybrid/Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics

Explore public service careers in Topeka, Kansas. Join us to hear from a panel of professionals from diverse sectors of public service. This event will be followed by light networking and snacks. 

Click here and select the I'm Interested button to save your spot!

 

Panelist Information coming soon!

 

 

Past Events

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Careers Beyond the Blue

Tuesday, October 29th, 2024 | 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Kansas Room, Kansas Union

Explore careers in criminal justice beyond law enforcement. If you are interested in a career in CSI, Undercover Operations, Mental Health, Human Trafficking, Exoneree or Juvenile Justice (and more!), join us to hear from a panel of professionals from diverse sectors of criminal justice. Stay after the event for light networking and snacks with students, professionals, KU staff, and panelists.

Click here and select the I'm Interested button to save your spot!

Hashina Webster (her/hers) - MOCSA
MOSCA serves as the Crisis Line Coordinator for the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (MOCSA), the largest non-profit rape crisis center in the country. MOCSA provides resources, services, and support to survivors of sexual assault and violence. Webster's educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Africana Studies and a Master of Psychology in Organizational Development. She brings nineteen years of experience in the Child Welfare system, having worked in Tennessee and Missouri as a Foster Care Case Manager, Child Protective Services Case Manager, Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), Home Visiting Supervisor, and now Crisis Line Coordinator.

Rebecca Vincent – Johnson County Crime Lab
Rebecca Vincent is a Senior Forensic Scientist in the crime scene unit at the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office Criminalistics Laboratory. She has been a Master Deputy with the Sheriff’s Office for eighteen years and a Crime Scene Investigator (CSI) for nearly fifteen years. Vincent holds certifications as a Senior Crime Scene Analyst with the International Association of Identification and as a Certified Fire Investigator II with the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office. She has also served as a lecturer and adjunct professor on crime scene topics at Mid-America Nazarene University, Washburn University, and is currently consulting on the new Forensic Science Program at the University of Kansas.

Stephen Bell, Ph.D. – Undercover Operations
Stephen Bell, Ph.D. is a Professor of the Practice in the University of Kansas Criminal Justice Program. After leaving Hiawatha, Kansas, to join the United States Air Force, he was hired by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). Bell spent 22 years with the LAPD, holding various roles as Officer, Detective, Supervising Detective, and Sergeant. His experience includes patrol, police academy instruction, sex crimes investigations, undercover operations, and supervising undercover teams.

Paul Morrison – Attorney
Paul Morrison served as the District Attorney for Johnson County for 18 years, earning a reputation as an aggressive advocate with a strong track record in court. His deep knowledge of the criminal justice system allows him to identify weaknesses in opposing cases while highlighting the strengths in his own. Morrison applies this expertise across all areas of law he practices.

James Ward – Park Police
James Ward, a ten-year veteran of the Johnson County Park Police Department, was recently appointed as the department’s new administrative captain. He holds a bachelor’s degree in justice studies from Pittsburg State University and began his career at JCPRD as an officer I, later advancing to officer II and sergeant in 2021. In his new role, Ward oversees essential functions such as training, community relations, recruitment, and internal investigations, bringing his patrol experience and innovative leadership to strengthen public engagement and departmental relations.

If you require a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in an event, please contact the University Career Center a week prior to the event at (785) 864-3624 or ucc@ku.edu.

 

D.C. Internships

Tuesday, February 13th, 2024 | 4:00pm - 5:00pm

Beyond KU: D.C. Internships invites KU alumni to share their internship experiences in Washington D.C. Join us on February 13th for this virtual event where you will hear from fellow Jayhawks about their path from KU to internships and beyond. This event will be live-streamed on YouTube.

Panelists include:

  • Amanda Petersen | Former Intern at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities in D.C.
  • Eric Kros | Former Intern for Urban Swirski and Associates and Capitol Hill Consulting Group in D.C.
  • Mandy Snodgrass | Former Capitol Hill Intern and National Down Syndrome Society Intern
  • Raina Peter | Formed Capitol Hill Intern for Sharice Davids and Current SAB Member

This is a co-sponsored event hosted by the University Career Center and The Dole Institute of Politics.

Pre-Law & You

Tuesday, October 10th, 2023 | 5:30pm - 6:30pm

Are curious about what you can accomplish with a law degree? Beyond KU: Pre-Law & You invites alumni to share their stories and connect with current students about their future legal interests. Join us on October 10th for this virtual event where you will hear from fellow Jayhawks about where their KU degree took them. Panelist will share their path from KU to the world of law.

Panelists include:

  • Chris Teter - Assistant Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division of the Kansas Attorney General's Office
  • Hugh Ebb - Associate, Financial Services Group at Moore & Van Allen
  • Annie Bailey - Human Capital Senior Consultant, Deloitte

This is a co-sponsored event hosted by the University Career Center and Jayhawk Academic Advising.

Social Change

Tuesday, March 21st, 2023 | 4pm - 5pm

Take your passion and make it your purpose--no matter your major! Beyond KU: Social Change hopes to demonstrate how you can take your interest in activism and helping others and translate that into a career! 

Panelists include:

  • KJ Abel Ruch - Director of Community Engagement, United Way of Kaw Valley
  • Alejandro Rangel-Lopez - New Frontiers Project Coordinator, Loud Light
  • Kelsey Dachman - CEO, Center for Supportive Communities
  • Samiyah Para-Cremer Moore - Analyst, Kansas Health Institute
  • Alix Guerrero - Program Manager for Strategic Initiatives, Kansas Department of Health and Environment
  • Courtland Triplett - Clerk, Armstrong Teasdale

Resources to continue your exploration into careers in Social Change: 

Contact the Center for Service Learning for additional support and resources at csl@ku.edu.

Think Tanks

Tuesday, November 15th, 2022 | 4:30PM - 5:30PM

Do you have a love for research and politics? Do you want to advocate for the things that are important to you, but aren’t sure where to begin? Take your passion and make it your purpose--no matter your major! Beyond KU: Think Tanks hopes to demonstrate how you can take your passion for politics and turn that into a career!

Panelists include:

  • Anna Bailey - Center on Budget and Policy Priorities - Senior Policy Analyst
  • Ariel Simons - The Brookings Institution - Manager, Learning & Development
  • Devi Nair - Center for Strategic and International Studies - Associate Director, International Security Program
  • Catherine Nzuki - Center Strategic and International Studies - Associate Fellow, Africa Program

Check out this list of Think Tanks organized by Career Communities!

Careers with Canines

Wednesday, March 23rd, 2022 | 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Do you have a love for dogs and animals? Have you dreamed of getting to spend all your time with them, but you aren’t sure where to begin? Take your passion and make it your purpose--no matter your major!

Beyond KU: Careers with Canines hopes to demonstrate how you can take your passion for dogs and animals and turn that into a career!

Panelists include: 

  • Alyssa Willett - Community Support Manager, KC Pet Project
  • Jade Mar - General Manager, Bar K
  • Katie Barnett - Animal Welfare Counsel, Lawrence Humane Society
  • Amanda Smasal - Special Events Manager, Wayside Waifs

Pathways Beyond the Professoriate

Wednesday, March 9th, 2022 | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Earning a PhD is a long and challenging process. While a tenure-track faculty job is the goal for many PhD candidates, more people are finding rewarding careers outside of academia. The skills gained during a PhD program – research, writing, critical thinking, and communications (to name a few) – are all highly valuable to companies and organizations. Join us for Beyond KU: Pathways Beyond the Professoriate, a virtual panel featuring individuals who took their skills and education into diverse career pathways. 

Panelists include: 

  • Dr. Casey Keel - Editorial Writer, USDA Economic Research Service 
  • Dr. Devon Lee - Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs, Jopwell 
  • Dr. Finn Boson - Risk Management GRC Analyst, Busey 
  • Dr. Nicole Reiz - Director of Professional Development, University of Kansas 

Careers in Public Service

November 16, 2021 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Take your passion and make it your purpose--no matter your major! Beyond KU | Careers in Public Service hopes to demonstrate how you can take your passion for government and politics and translate that into a career! This is a virtual event! 

Panelists 

Julia Groblacher – Foreign Service Officer – U.S. Department of State

After graduating from KU in 2010, Julia received her Masters in Public Policy from the Harvard JFK School of Government.  Since entering the Foreign Service in 2012, Julia has served domestically on the Syria and Afghanistan desks, and overseas at the U.S. embassies in Moscow, Baghdad, and Kabul. She most recently served as a member of Deputy Secretary Wendy Sherman's staff, responsible for the Middle East, counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and tech.  She will soon depart for U.S. Embassy Beirut. 

Marc Langston – Attorney, Strategic Team Advising Research – U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Marc Langston is a Wichita native and KU alumnus ('08) with bachelor’s degrees in political science and art history. He attended law school at Wake Forest University and spent the last decade working as an attorney in Washington, DC. Marc's legal experience includes a variety of positions in both the public and private sectors.  

Eric Pahls – Vice President – Big Dog Strategies

Eric Pahls is a proud native Kansan who served as Campaign Manager for Dr. Roger Marshall’s successful 2020 U.S. Senate Campaign. Prior to 2020, he served as businesswoman Carly Fiorina’s Communications Director, and as the youngest Press Secretary on Capitol Hill after working on Dr. Marshall’s successful 2016 Congressional campaign, which notably unseated the incumbent in a primary. Eric is a graduate of the University of Kansas' William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications, and lives in Kansas City, Kansas.

Adam Steinhilber – Judicial Law Clerk – Indiana Supreme Court

Adam Steinhilber is an attorney and law clerk to the Honorable Mark S. Massa of the Indiana Supreme Court. He earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Michigan Law School. He earned his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Kansas, where he proudly served as the Events Student Assistant at the Dole Institute of Politics.

Careers with Roots; Ecology, Nature & Food Systems

September 22, 2021 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Do you have a green thumb? Have you dreamed of getting to spend all your time in nature, but you aren’t sure where to begin? Take your passion and make it your purpose--no matter your major! Beyond KU | Careers with Roots; Ecology, Nature, and Food Systems hopes to demonstrate how you can take your passion for things that grow and grow it into a career!

Panelists 

  • Becky Harpstrite – Vice President of Marketing, VG Food & Beverage Group and Hilary’s Eat Well
  • Zac Hoppenstedt – Horticulture Agent, K-State Research and Extension
  • Emily Lysen - Director of Development, Lawrence Farmers Market
  • Courtney Masterson – Ecologist, For the Prairie
  • Jasmin Moore – Sustainability Director, Douglas County