Staff Career Advisors

For over 28 years, I have been a part of Career & Professional Development assisting students and alumni find the courage to discover their strengths, interests and directions in their career path. Each person has a unique story to tell and it is my goal to help guide them in discovering what that story is trying to tell them about themselves. Ultimately,  we are here to help them take their education to the next step or steps in their career path. I am compassionate and want students to know that I am listening to their story and their hopes. Excellence drives me and I focus on what I can do to make a difference in a person’s life. Career & Professional Development gives students the support and guidance to translate their education into a career. It is my privilege to help and support students in taking these sometimes difficult, but always exciting next steps.

“The miracle isn’t that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.”— John Bingham 

“What do you do for students at your job?”

I engage with graduate students to explore career direction, network and seek connections. I also work with students to develop skills such as writing resumes/CV’s and interviewing that will lead to success in the internship and job processes. Listening is one of my core values and I attend to each person in a different and personalized manner.

“Who are you? What do you want everyone to know about you? What do you enjoy?”

During my spare time, I enjoy being with my family and friends, cooking and meeting with my book club. In everything I do, I try to be positive and keep life in perspective.

“Why are the Career Center services meaningful?”

Work is a key component of life and Career & Professional Development has a lot to offer to help you navigate it. There is much that you can gain by interacting with the staff at Career & Professional Development.

“In a quote, what do you say to yourself and students?”

Connect + Communicate + Care

I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, which makes me a huge bagel and pizza snob. But, being a New Yorker also taught me how to appreciate and work with people from all walks of life, which is why I love working with DU students!

I serve undergraduate STEM students as a liaison to the Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science and Natural Sciences & Mathematics. I support student development and help students translate their experiences to the professional world. I have a particular interest and passion for supporting student athletes and first generation students.

I have been a higher education professional for over 10 years. I’ve worked for other higher education institutions such as Ohio University, George Mason University, and George Washington University in disciplines such as Admissions, Advising, Marketing, and Recruiting. As a STEM student myself, I earned my BS in Hearing, Speech & Language Sciences from Ohio University and my MA in Strategic Public Relations from the George Washington University. I also graduated recently with my Doctorate in the Higher Education Administration program at DU! Outside of work, I enjoy skiing, cooking, and working with my photography business. Fun fact: In undergrad I was in an underground break dancing group! I am also ambidextrous and allergic to bananas.

“We are all just trying to turn hard work into chicken nuggets.” – Matt Bellasai

Education:

• Doctor of Education, Higher Education, University of Denver
• Master of  Arts, Strategic Public Relations – The George Washington University
• Bachelor of Science in Hearing, Speech & Language Science – Ohio University

Hello! My name is Mark Nussbaum (he/him), and I work on the Career & Professional Development team as an undergraduate career advisor for students in the College of Natural Science and Math (NSM) and the Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science (RSECS). Originally from the Midwest, I earned my bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics from Wheaton College and my masters in ethics and public leadership from Johnson University. In my free time, you can find me reading a good book, watching football, or enjoying a freshly-brewed cup of coffee! I am excited to help students achieve their career goals! You can meet with me to work on your resume, write cover letters, build your LinkedIn profile, conduct a job/internship search, practice interviewing, or anything else career related. You can find my meeting availability on Pioneer Careers Online (PCO) or by emailing me at Mark.Nussbaum@du.edu!

My name is Rita O’Connell (she/her) and I work as the Assistant Director for Campus-Wide Programming in Career & Professional Development. In my role, I help to facilitate campus-wide career programs such as Career Weeks, Faculty classroom outreach, andthe Etiquette Dinner. Additionally, I am the primary Career Advisor for undergraduates in the Joseph Korbel School of International Studies (International Studies and Public Policy majors) and Pre-Law students. I am originally from the Chicagoland area and completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Additionally, I received my Masters in Higher Education from the University of Denver.  Outside of work, I enjoy reading romance and fantasy novels, walking my dog, Gracie, skiing, and trying out new fitness classes around Denver.

I hold space for students to tell their stories and answer the questions: “Who am I,” “what am I here to do” and “how do I get there”. My end objective is to empower individuals through self-awareness and resource-awareness to move towards their goals. Personally, I am driven to play a part in helping people achieve a meaningful life. I love being in nature and I am especially motivated by activities devoted to personal development including yoga, meditation, and hiking. Our careers define only one part of our identity; and, considering we spend an average of 2,000 hours yearly in our jobs, it is critical to help students and alumni in their pursuit of purposeful lives by teaching them how to plan their careers and leverage their talents and interests.

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which, kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no person could have dreamed would have come their way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.” — Goethe

Mackenzie Burford, MA, NCC, CPRW

Career Advisor & Resume Review Specialist

Mackenzie Burford is a Career Advisor and Resume Review Specialist at the University of Denver (DU). The student populations she serves varies based on department needs, which gives Mackenzie the unique opportunity to work with students in a wide variety of degree programs and majors. Mackenzie’s work in the Office of Career & Professional Development started long ago when she worked as a work study student at the front desk while earning her undergraduate degree. This experience introduced Mackenzie to the power of career advising and its impact influenced her to eventually pursue a degree in career counseling. Before coming back to DU, Mackenzie served as the Associate Director of Career andAlumni  Services at the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. Prior to her career transition into Career Advising, Mackenzie worked in non-profit development for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America where she managed fundraising activities across a four-state territory. Mackenzie holds an MA in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Career Counseling from the University of Colorado, Denver and a BA in Mass Communications from DU. She is also a Nationally Certified Counselor and a Certified Professional Resume Writer. When not career advising students and reviewing resumes, Mackenzie is a soccer mom to two sons. She was born and raised in Colorado and when not driving kids to soccer practice and attending soccer games, she likes to enjoy all the outdoor activities the state has to offer.

Hi! My name is Isabel (she/her) and I am a graduate student studying Higher Education in the Morgridge College of Education at DU! 

I am originally from Massachusetts (Go Pats!), and earned my Bachelor’s degree at the University of Massachusetts where I studied psychology, sociology, and social work. In my free time, I love spending time with friends, going to the gym, and exploring Denver! 

I worked as a Career Peer Advisor in undergrad as well and love getting to chat with all of you about resumes, cover letters, grad school applications, and the job search! :)  

Megan Chambers is the Assistant Director of Graduate Career Development for current students and first year alumni in University College (UCOL), the Graduate School of Professional Psychology (GSPP), and the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS). She received her Master of Science degree in Career Counseling from California State University, Sacramento (stingers up!) and her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Scripps College.

“What do you do for students at your job?”

I support graduate students in all aspects of their career development, regardless of if they’re just starting their professional journey or are already leaders in their industry. I can support students with the practical aspects of their career development, including editing resumes and cover letters, developing LinkedIn profiles, networking, negotiating, and finding jobs and internships. I also support students with career decision making and setting professional goals.

“Who are you? What do you want everyone to know about you? What do you enjoy?”

Learning is a core part of who I am, so I’m always reading a new book or listening to a podcast. When not at the office, I enjoy art museums, trying new restaurants, and anything outdoors (hiking, running, hanging out at my local park).

“Why are Career Center services meaningful?”

We spend so much time during our lives at work, so I think it’s worth taking time to think through how we spend those hours. There is a lot of pain in the world around vocation and work, and I want to be a part of replacing that frustration with more purpose and meaning.

“In a quote, what do you say to yourself and students?”

Instead of focusing on a big career “decision”, think about one small action step that you can take today – it could create an unplanned opportunity.