Sarah Yeaple named new director of the Maryville College Career Center
As of Feb. 22, 2021 the Maryville College Career Center has a new director, Sarah Yeaple. Yeaple accepted the role after Christy McDonald Slavick, the Career Center’s former director, became the Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives.
Yeaple is a Maryville College alumna and recently celebrated five years working with the Career Center. She began as a career consultant before becoming the Assistant Director three and a half years ago.
Despite a change in leadership, the Career Center will remain largely the same for the time being.
“We’re going to continue the great work that Christy has done in the Career Center,” Yeaple said. “As with any change, it’s an opportunity to look where we can innovate and adapt.”
The Career Center typically employs four full-time employees that are supported by a Peer Career Team. Any other staffing changes, however, will not be made until the end of the spring semester when the Career Center staff examines the needs must be fulfilled for the upcoming school year.
In addition to a new professional position, Yeaple has also recently stepped into the new position of mother. Her maternity leave started at the beginning of the fall semester and ended a week before winter break.
“It’s exciting and daunting,” Yeaple said when asked about taking on professional and personal changes. “I’m excited that my daughter will get to grow up seeing me as a working professional and seeing the joy and fulfillment that I get from working.”
A new addition to the Career Center this semester is the presence of Ask Me Anything days to widen the staff’s non-scheduled connections with students. Ask Me Anything days take place from 9am – 3pm, and each full-time staff member at the Career Center is available, online or in-person, one day a week. Students can meet with Erin Halcott, Career Consultant, every Monday, Elicia Ferrer, Career Outreach Specialist, every Tuesday, and Sarah Yeaple, Director of the Career Center, every Wednesday.
Daily drop-in hours have been a part of the Career Center since 2017 and have moved to Zoom in the face of COVID-19. This semester, drop-in hours are Monday through Friday from 12 pm to 2pm and are largely supported by the Peer Career Team. Another recently added way for students to connect to the Career Center is through Meetings with Meridith every Wednesday from 6pm – 8pm with Meridith Daffron, Peer Career Coach.
Outside of these hours, the Career Center staff are also available for appointments which can be set up on Handshake.
“We want to connect with our students,” Yeaple said. “We always want student feedback and to tailor the way we support our students.”
To keep up with the Career Center and any future changes, follow their Instagram, @mc_careercenter, and like the Maryville College Career Center Facebook page.