Celebrating campus-wide dedication, innovation, and collaboration, U Career Success is excited to honor the recipients of the 2024 Career Impact Awards. Presented to individuals and organizations dedicated to shaping the career development of University of Utah students, these awards recognize the outstanding efforts of students, mentors, partners, and employers who make significant contributions to our mission.
Building the successful futures of the next generation requires a collective effort, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the entire community involved in this endeavor. From the eager students charting their paths to the supportive mentors guiding them, and the invaluable partnerships forged along the way, each plays an important role in creating greater career success.
At an awards ceremony held on April 17th, the following winners for 2024 were celebrated for their remarkable contributions.
2024 Career Impact Award recipients
Internship of the Year awards are presented to students who had exceptional internship experiences during the 2023-2024 academic year.
Jacquelyn Mengel
Senior, Communication Major, Strategic Communication concentration
Jacquelyn completed an internship in social media and graphic design with Utah Valley Shutter and Shade Co. Jacquelyn wrote about her experience:
“One aspect that made this internship exceptional was the level of autonomy and trust given to me by the company. Despite being an intern, I was given the freedom to develop and implement my own social media strategies, allowing me to exercise creativity and initiative. Overall, my internship equipped me with practical skills, strategic insights, and a deeper understanding of the dynamics of social media marketing, preparing me for future challenges and opportunities in the field.”
Kayla Court
Senior, Communication Major, Strategic Communication concentration
About her experience with the Salt Palace as a Communications Intern, Kayla said:
“I was presented with many opportunities that grew my skill set, enhanced my knowledge, and strengthened my confidence as a communications professional. I had the opportunity to apply concepts discussed and practiced in the classroom to real-life scenarios. The experience taught me new skills and processes, introduced me to industry standards, and created a new sense of confidence in my abilities.”
Madison Wells
Senior, Communication Major, Strategic Communication concentration/Entrepreneurship minor
Madison worked at Domo as an Account Development Intern and described her experience:
“I worked hand in hand with Director and VP level leaders who have mentored me and taught me one-on-one the things that have worked for them in their sales careers. I have learned numerous things from my current internship: how to work on a team and contribute , being able to jump at any moment if something goes wrong, and how to give myself grace as I am learning how to work in a corporate space for the first time. While all of those things are great, the best thing I have learned from my internship at Domo is how to show up for myself and to put everything I possibly have into a project. Someone who goes the extra mile will always be noticed and be more successful for pushing a little harder than others.”
Mason Mehr
Junior, Communication Studies major
Mason completed his internship with the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys about which he wrote:
“My internship is one that has reformed my career path and altered my perception of social justice. At the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, I worked closely with project managers and prosecutors to help find solutions for victims who needed advocative prosecutorial aid. I plan to pursue this career path to advocate for victims and families alike.”
Riley Ogier
Junior, Communications Major, Strategic Communications concentration
Riley worked as a Marketing Intern at Kaya Climbing. Riley wrote: “During my marketing internship at KAYA Climbing, I delved into various projects that significantly enhanced my student experience. What made my internship experience exceptional was the hands-on approach and mentorship I received. Working closely with industry professionals allowed me to grasp the intricacies of marketing strategies beyond textbooks. It affirmed my desire to pursue a career in digital marketing, where I can leverage my creativity and analytical skills to drive impactful campaigns.”
The Career Mentor Award is awarded to U of U faculty or staff for their exemplary guidance and support of students and their career goals. This award is determined based on student nominations.
Hubbel Palmer
Assistant Professor, Film & Media Arts Department
To nominate Professor Palmer, a student said “Hubbel has been such a great influence to me during my college career, unlocking my love for screenwriting and helping mentor and foster my creativity for 3 long years. Hubbel is very kind and also helpful to all of his students making it so everyone who takes his class wants to return and even recommends his classes to their friends.”
Maya Jolley
Associate Director of Student Experience, Goff Strategic Leadership Center
Maya was described by one of the students she works with as “a huge part in my career development. I first met her through a case competition and from the very beginning she was extremely supportive and involved in my growth. She saw potential in me that I didn't know was there and pushed me to think bigger and work harder. She has cultivated a community that supports each other to reach their career or life goals. Without her work in Goff Pathfinders and her continued support, I do not think I would be in the position I am now. I am now heavily involved on campus and have been offered several fantastic opportunities because of her support and guidance.”
Zach Crum
Alumni and Student Engagement Specialist, David Eccles School of Business
Zach was nominated for his leadership and direction of the David Eccles Alumni Network mentorship program. One of the students in the program writes “Through this program students are provided with the opportunity to be paired with a mentor in an industry that interests them. Zach has done an amazing job of leading this project and providing valuable guidance through this process. Thanks to Zach and the valuable feedback that he has given throughout this program, I feel that I have a better grasp of what I want to do with my future. Zach meets with us one-on-one to check up on us and see how he can support us through our career journeys. He truly cares about us and our futures!”
The Partner of the Year award recognizes U of U departments, faculty, or staff who have worked closely with U Career Success to support students and employers.
University Auxiliary Business Development
Over the past year, the Auxiliary Business Development team has increased collaboration with U Career Success, which has benefited both teams and been a huge win for employer partners. Both teams regularly refer employers to each other and cross-sell services. Collaborating and strategizing how to grow both businesses led to partnering together on several initiatives throughout the year. They have a strong desire to collaborate and are quick to share information. They are true partners who believe we all are better when we work together.
Facilities & Operations, David Eccles School of Business
The David Eccles School of Business Facilities and Operations team for their continuous support of our department. The U Career Success office underwent a large remodel last year, led by this team and we are so grateful for all the work they put in to create a beautiful space that allows us to provide better resources and support to the students and employers we work with. We also would not be able to put on events like the awards celebration on April 17th without their help. We have the facilities and operations team to thank for many of our career fairs, workshops, networking events, and more.
Kate Wolsey, College of Fine Arts Internship Coordinator
Kate has been an integral part of helping U Career Success build and develop a strong relationship with the College of Fine Arts. She has advocated for our coaches to connect with Fine Arts students through ArtsForce events, tabling, one-on-one coaching sessions, and career treks. She has also been a huge asset to the Corporate & Community Engagement team by continually answering questions, offering connections and resources, and collaborating on ways to find and connect students with jobs. She’s also been a teacher, helping us to understand what Fine Arts students are looking for and how we can best serve them. Kate says “yes” any time we ask for her help. Whether it is offering helpful insights, making an introduction to staff in the College of Fine Arts, supporting us through various events or highlighting jobs on the ArtsForce Canvas page, we know we can count on her.
The Employer of the Year award recognizes several employers who offered exceptional support to U of U students and have provided many outstanding career opportunities through events, internships, full-time roles, and more.
ABC4 Utah
ABC4 offers a wide variety of positions and internships and makes every effort to attend events where they connect with our students. The world of broadcast media is busy and often has demanding schedules, yet they still make the time for student networking opportunities. They are friendly, kind, and approachable and we love working with them. ABC4 Utah has been a partner to U Career Success in every sense of the word and we appreciate all they do to help U of U students grow and succeed.
Goldman Sachs
Goldman Sachs has provided numerous opportunities for students to engage with them both virtually and in person throughout the year. The recruiters and professionals who engage with our students clearly love Goldman Sachs and their roles. They communicate with our students with such passion and professionalism. They have hosted panels, coffee chats, socials, tabling events, mock interviews, and several events with student clubs and organizations. Their participation in many of our career fairs and networking events throughout the year is invaluable. Our students have greatly benefited from their strategic planning and dedication to engagement.
University of Utah Health
University of Utah Health continuously shows up with fantastic efforts to connect U of U students with job and internship opportunities. Attending multiple career fairs and networking events demonstrates a proactive approach to engaging with students and exposing them to diverse opportunities. A great benefit of U Health participating in events targeting specific fields like business, healthcare, and social impact is that they ensure a broad range of opportunities for students with varied interests and experiences. They regularly reach out to share new opportunities and initiatives available to students. Their email outreach where they share relevant opportunities further highlights their dedication to keeping students informed about potential career paths.