Ducks with career and job search insight and industry experience are here for you, offering their perspectives and advice to enhance and inspire you in your career path. Through alumni career profiles and blogs, you can access alumni insiders’ perspective on jobs, organizations, and industries.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: CAREER Q&A

March 4, 2019

"I think resilience and adaptability are skill sets that really helped me move and be flexible between jobs. The skill set that most employers are looking for is the ability to learn, adapt and communicate well. Networking is invaluable. If you’re contacting someone to interview or network, you want to have a specific purpose in mind."

You make your own luck. It’s like baseball.

January 28, 2019

"You don’t hit the ball every time you swing the bat, but if you know you’ve done the work and keep trying it will happen eventually. If you’re out engaging with people and you’re trying, and you’re networking, you will get your lucky break. It may take a while, but it will happen."

Build Relationships to Build Your Network

January 23, 2019

Cameron Javdani, BS '03, MBA '07, is a “Double Duck:” he earned both a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s in business administration from the University of Oregon. He currently works as the director of sales and marketing at Louroe Electronics, but his path to this position was not a straight shot.

Career Profile

January 4, 2017

Ryan Barnes, BS ’98 likes speed –on water, snow, and even dirt. What his career story reveals is that the finish line to career success isn’t always a straight shot downhill. Sometimes, it’s the twists and turns that reveal (or remind) us of our deepest passions, our core strengths, and ignite our drive to pursue what we truly love.

Career Profile

July 29, 2016

From teacher to guidance counselor to rubber boot factory owner to boutique handbag importer, Mia Scofield ’84, has worn many career hats. Yet, all of her pursuits have a common thread -- relationships. Mia mixes and balances her work-life with her family-life and has a deep commitment to serving both with leadership, kindness, creativity, a global perspective, and a "can do" attitude. 
 

We don’t want our alumni to miss out on our array of webinars. There’s no substitute for meeting in person, but when that’s not possible, or you’ve missed an event, a recording is the next-best thing. Watch these at your convenience, then consider attending a future event!

Portland Duck Lunch and Learn

February 9, 2021

Are you in need of some adventure-inspired business advice during your lunch break? UO alumnus Austin DeKoning can help with that. Learn Austin's tips and tricks for climbing both literal and digital mountains, and why he believes “success follows the laws of inertia."

Entrepreneurship During Covid-19

July 8, 2020

If you’re thinking of blazing your own trail as an entrepreneur, but aren’t sure of what that path would look like in this uncertain economy, our panel of established alumni are here to help. Meet our panel: Nathan Lillegard, MBA ’06, Emily Motter, BEd ’04, and Jesse Thomas, MBA ’09.

Rise Above: The Job Search During Down Economies

June 10, 2020

Learn how to job search during down economies from Eddie Ranchigoda, MBA '93 as Founder and Lead Strategist at Brand Continuum, Elena Fracchia, BA '06, MPA '11 as Wealth and Philanthropic Advisor at Columbia Bank, and Todd Gooding, BS '91 as President and Chief Investment Officer at ScanlanKemperBard Companies.

C-Suite Breakfast featuring CEOs/Presidents/Founders

May 31, 2019

Invigorate your career by learning from Matt Thomas, BA '02 the CEO and Founder of Brew Dr. Kombucha/Townshend’s Tea/Townshend's Distillery and Orlando Williams, BS '95 the President and CEO of Motus, a Pacific Northwest recruiting and staffing firm.

C-Suite Breakfast featuring female CEOs/Executive Directors

January 10, 2019

Sandra McDonough, BA ’76, and Carmen Rubio, BA ’99, are UO alumnae who lead two of Portland’s most influential organizations. Over breakfast, they discuss their own experiences and provide valuable information you’ll be able to use on your own career path.

Both hard and soft skills play equal roles in employment, career success and work-life balance. When seeking the ideal job candidate, employers must consider a diverse set of skills that demonstrate achievements. Whether it's people-oriented skills or analytical data-centered skills, our Duck alumni community is made up professionals eager to share their expertise!

The Duck Career Network is happy partner with volunteers to bring you an ever-growing skill-sharing series, covering a wide range of career topics. Check back often see what's new!

We want to ensure our graduating Ducks are prepared for life after the UO, and our alumni volunteers are here to help. We leverage our alumni as advice givers and storytellers to the benefit of soon-to-be grads. This blog series, completely written by alumni contributors, features a variety of helpful content for students and new graduates. Topics range from setting down roots in a new city to establishing oneself as a professional, from interview and job search tips to the benefits of networking and chapter involvement.