Page 30 - Laker Connection Spring 2013

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“Understanding a person’s values, interests, skills, and character helps me to guide students to the pre- cise resources they need for desired employment,” Whitfield remarks.
In recognition of Whitfield’s dedication to Ca- reer Services and his superb work at Clayton State University, he was honored as the 2010 Networking Guru at the Georgia
Association of Col-
leges and Employers
Conference and a
2012 award finalist
for the Division of
Student Affairs Infi-
nite Mile Award.
Aside from his work at Clayton State, Whitfield en-
joys watching sports such as football and basketball, traveling, attending concerts and plays, watching movies, dancing, and spending time with his son Haven (17) and his daughter Haille (13).
He is also involved in several organizations on and off campus including the Georgia Association of Colleges and Employers, Georgia Careers Consor- tium, Henry County Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Henry County Society for Human Resource Management, National Sales Network Atlanta, and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
_ Samantha Watson
staff profile
RYAN WHITFIELD
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Isee the difference Mr. Whitfield makes in the
lives of students every day,” comments Jade Salaz, student assistant in the Clayton State Office of Career Services. “Without him, it would be significantly harder for students to
be informed of job openings and opportunities that can help their dreams be made real.”
Ryan Whitfield, assistant director of Career Services, serves the Laker community as a “direct link” to corporate America. He is responsible for managing the employer and student career manage- ment system and coordinates recruitment for part- time and full-time positions, on-campus recruiting and interviewing, and related job fairs. Whitfield also constructs and distributes a weekly newsletter, enti- tled “Jobs! Jobs! Jobs!” that offers valuable informa- tion to Clayton State students about job openings and career opportunities.
Whitfield was born in New York City and raised in Brunswick, Ga. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts (Mass Communication) and Master of Public Administration from Valdosta State Univer- sity. Before finding employment at Clayton State, he worked as a job developer/career evaluation coun- selor for Valdosta State. Whitfield also spent time as a family independent case manager for Dougherty County Department of Family and Children Serv- ices, and a staffing consultant for Ranstad Staffing.
After moving to the Metro Atlanta area, Whit- field began serving as an academic advisor in the College of Professional Studies at Clayton State where he found that he loved interacting with stu- dents. In his current position he identifies, attracts, establishes, and cultivates relationships with diverse local, regional, and national employers that he then translates into career opportunities for the Laker community.
With more than 20 years of management, job development, and advising experience, Whitfield has developed a keen sense for how careers are launched.
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THE LAKER CONNECTION
Without him, it would be significantly harder for students to be informed of job openings and opportunities that can help their dreams be made real.
- Jade Salaz, Student Assistant