How did you find your way to where you are today? Share a little about your professional journey.

I could have never known that when I applied for a summer internship with the Furman Admission Office in 2005, it was the beginning of my professional journey. After a summer giving tours in the sweltering heat and getting a first glimpse of college admissions, I spent my last two years at Furman as a student worker in the office. Determined to become a successful businessman, I entered Wake Forest University to pursue a master's in management, but even there I volunteered to help coordinate the visits of prospective graduate students.

Upon leaving Winston-Salem, my wife, Katy, and I moved to Athens, Georgia so she could attend graduate school. Generally speaking, if you live in Athens, you either work at the University of Georgia or the hospital. Not qualified to work at the hospital, I landed my first real job as an admission counselor at the University of Georgia. Following two years at UGA, I spent an additional five years in the Furman Admission Office. I eventually became a senior assistant director of admission.

I learned many things while spending seven years in college admissions. Not only can I tell you where most high schools (and P.F. Chang's) are located throughout the Midwest, but I also gained a vast knowledge of the ever-changing college admission landscape. I read thousands of admission applications, met with hundreds of high school counselors, and had fun doing it. That knowledge has served me well as I have transitioned to the role of associate director of college counseling at Christ Church Episcopal School. Rather than recruiting students, I now guide them to find that perfect college fit – a daunting task for any 17-year-old. However, I hope they will find a college that will jump start their professional journey just as Furman did for me.

What motivations fueled your career path?

My career path was never something I decided upon and everything else fell into place. It has been a fluid path with twists and turns determined by my own desire to make a difference, but it has also been a response to life events. Furthermore, the longer I spend in this profession, the stronger I feel about the importance of this work.

When providing advice for professional development, what are some tools or resources one should consider?

In this job, networking is key. It is impossible to know every detail, date, and deadline for the thousands of colleges that exist in the US. I have relied on the expertise of others and their ability to share information. Southern Association of College Admission Counseling (SACAC) is an affiliate of the National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC) – who knew there was such a thing, right? Those two organizations have served as invaluable resources to learn from others, attend conferences, and develop professionally. I also have the privilege of currently serving on the SACAC board.

Books? Read anything by N.T. Wright, Rowan Williams, or Wendell Berry. Personality Assessments? Everyone should take the Myers Briggs Step II. The Step II provides far greater detail and more insights than the Step I. I also find the FIRO-B assessment enlightening.

How would you recommend someone interested in the same career/vocation pursue a similar path?

It is essential to gain experience as an admission counselor first. The job can be exhausting and burnout among admission representatives is high. However, it is worth it to ask for new duties, attend a conference, or simply connect on a listserv or social media page. It is important to always ask questions and seek to learn more (just like a liberal arts university tells you to do). There are many jobs available if you are willing to move, and even if you are not, there is room for upward mobility.

What are some challenges you face in your industry?

Managing expectations is always a challenge – expectations to recruit "more" and "stronger" applicants and expectations to "yield" those students. On the high school side, it is difficult to manage expectations of a student who has worked incredibly hard for 13 years but may not be admitted to a top choice school. It is difficult to counsel students to take time for themselves when they hear of increasingly competitive applicant pools and ever-diminishing acceptance rates. Another challenge is to ensure all students who desire to attend college have the ability to do so. Most importantly, students need to have access to quality college counseling regardless of the school they attend, and cost should never be a barrier to a deserving student. These are issues that organizations like SACAC and NACAC are working to improve, but there is still much work to be done.

What do you wish you would have known getting started in your field?

I wish I had known how small the college admission world really is and how willing everyone is to lend a hand. I also wish I had known that there was much to learn and that above all else, professionalism is the most important thing you can bring to a job.

Are there any unspoken rules or recommendations that "they" don't tell you?

Always be positive and be polished. First impressions are extremely important in college admissions and, therefore, first impressions in a job interview really matter. It is also important to be able to communicate effectively as a speaker and as a writer.

How has your liberal arts background shaped your career path or supported your success?

Though it sounds cliché, the ability to work with others, communicate effectively, and think critically are extremely important because essentially, that is the foundation of the job. Furman also taught me to look at the "why" and how various factors may impact a decision or an outcome. I learned not everyone has had the same experiences as I have and we may approach a situation differently.

What was your major(s)? And how have you applied it in your career field?

Serving on AFS (Association of Furman Students) was incredibly important in helping me to work with others and solve problems. It also gave me immense pride in my school, which was helpful when recruiting others to apply. I also cannot help but think that serving as recruitment chair and vice Archon for Pi Kappa Phi aided me down the road and made me much more comfortable talking to someone I barely knew. Outside of extracurricular activities, my classes in sociology and communication studies were invaluable in helping me to identify issues around me and how to communicate effectively about those issues.

Why do you make giving back to Furman a priority for you and your family?

Furman provided the four most formative years of my educational life and five crucial years in my professional life. Just a few months before I began that first internship in the Furman Admission Office, Katy and I started dating. I cannot help but think that the university impacted my life in ways I will never be able to repay.

What are your priorities when it comes to Furman and your giving?

Simply put, I want every student to have an experience at Furman that is at least a fraction as positive as mine was.

What impact do you hope to make with your giving to Furman?

My hope is that Furman will continue to produce students who think about the big picture but ask the small questions. I hope Furman students will always be recognized for their intellect, but also their ability to show compassion for others. I want Furman students to make a difference in communities across the country and around the world.

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