Alumni Profile:
Careers in Education
 Name:
Kellen Sarb
Job Title: Annual Giving Coordinator
Organization: Boston University Office of Development
Year Graduated: May 2008
Degree: Sport Management
Favorite class at Michigan
Sports Law
What’s your favorite thing to do in a typical day?
I really love the time spent working directly with donors. It’s a great feeling when you can match someone’s interests and passions with a need that will benefit someone else. There is a lot of work leading up to that point, but it’s worth it when you can help someone else make a difference.
What’s the least favorite thing you do in a typical
day?
The kind of tedious tasks you sometimes associate with an entry-level job—mail merging, printing labels, etc.
How did you decide on this field? How did you get
hired?
I participated in the University of Michigan Development Summer Internship Program (D-SIP) in the summer of 2007 for students who want to explore a career in philanthropy and the non-profit world. I knew I wanted to move to Boston, so I took a trip during my senior year to do informational interviews with universities around the city. My current boss is one of the people I had an informational interview with.
How does your Michigan experience help you in your job?
A lot is expected of a Michigan student; you are among some of the best in the nation, and the bar is set high for almost anything you do. For me, that feeling has carried with me even after graduation, and helps me stay motivated and focused in my job and all aspects of my life.
What are possible next steps for your career? Is another
degree required or recommended?
I really love working in the Development field and hope to continue to grow as a development professional. In the future, I hope to work on the “front lines” with the majority of my time spent directly with donors. No additional degree is required, but a Master’s in Higher Education or MBA is recommended. I am strongly considering looking into an MBA, and hope to move forward with that in the next couple of years.
What do you wish you had known as an undergraduate preparing
for your career?
I wish I would have known about the importance of informational interviews earlier in my college career. They’re a great way to practice for real interviews and make valuable contacts for after you graduate.
To Learn More… about careers
in education:
- Check out The Career Center’s bibliography of resources to help you explore careers in education.
- The Career Center’s web page includes a number of links to education-related job listing sites.
- Contact The Career Center at 734-764-7460 to find out how you
can learn more about this field.
Know a recent alumna/us with an interesting job?
Send us their contact information
and we would be happy to invite them to join our profile page.
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