Although she’s a Northwestern career advisor today, J. Grace Weir remembers not knowing what she wanted to study or which career path she wanted to take when she entered Bowling Green State University as an undergraduate. She just knew she wanted to earn a degree.

During her freshman year, she connected with mentors who changed everything. They provided valuable guidance and encouraged her to step out of her comfort zone by getting involved on campus. As a result, she became an orientation leader during her sophomore year before serving in student leadership positions for the rest of her time at Bowling Green.

“That experience made me realize I could actually pursue a career in higher education,” she explains. “As I spent my last days on campus and thought about my next steps, I reflected on how important the guidance was that I received early in my undergraduate experience. That inspired me to apply to a graduate program so I could help students work through their own unknowns.”

She joined the Master of Education in Higher Education, Administration, and Student Affairs program at Kent State University, which would set her up to work in a college setting. There, she pursued a graduate assistantship in the Career Exploration and Development office. While she helped students find and follow their professional paths, she also discovered her own passion for career services.

After earning her master’s degree, she joined Northwestern School of Communication’s External Programs, Internships, and Career Services (EPICS) office more than a year ago as a career advisor.

“This role is incredibly personal to me,” she explains. “I’m serving as the person I needed when I was younger, and that fuels my personal mission as I focus on fulfilling the specific needs of Sound Arts and Industries students.”

As a career advisor, she acts as a resource for every step of a student’s sound arts journey.

“My role is embedded into the MA in Sound Arts and Industries program, and hours are set aside every week so students can connect with me,” she explains. “There are specific milestones throughout the program where I encourage students to come talk to me.”

Honing Skills through Individualized Career Support and Programming

As a career advisor, Weir supports Sound Arts and Industries students in many ways.

Through one-on-one coaching, she tailors guidance for each student based on their priorities, values, and strengths. She also helps them stay on track with their career progression, such as offering guidance on creating a professional portfolio to effectively showcase their work.

Networking is a frequently addressed topic in these one-on-one sessions, as she answers questions like:

• How do I reach out to someone I don’t know?
• What questions should I be asking?
• How do I pitch myself?
• How do I talk about the projects and work I’ve done in a way that highlights my skills and proficiencies?

“At the end of a meeting, I work with the student to create an action plan,” she explains. “This encourages students to do their work using the resources I shared so they can come back next time and say, ‘I did these things. What’s next?’ ”

She also assists in facilitating EPICS workshops and leading Sound Arts and Industries group coaching sessions. These programs cover a wide range of topics, including resume and cover letter development, job and internship search strategies, and developing professional pitches.

Finally, she helps students hone specific skills through EPICS masterclasses. “I’m always thinking about the skills and competencies that a student walks out of the masterclass with,” she emphasizes. Most recently, for example, she organized a masterclass that showed students how to create their own demo reel.

A Course to Help Students Get Career-Ready

In addition to coaching and advising, she also teaches a fourth-quarter course called Career Development in Sound. It helps prepare students for the career steps that come once the program is complete.

“The class is very much rooted in self-reflection and how to cultivate meaning from the projects students have done and the networks they’ve created,” she says. “It helps them bring everything together.”

Focusing on a different topic each week, her goal is to give students everything they need in order to make the most of the program experience. For example, the final quarter is when most students are participating in a thesis project or internship. During this time, she helps them reflect on what they’re learning and how to apply it moving forward.

She also helps students refine their goals and capabilities through exercises and assignments. For example, she helps them create their own artist statements to practice pitching themselves in different settings. She also asks them to create a resume tailored to a specific job posting so she can offer feedback.

“We focus on career assets, professionalization, and thinking about your next ideal role,” she says. “I always adjust my approach and practice to what I see from students. It’s very much a partnership, and they will always have me for support.”

Supporting Career Journeys in Sound Arts

Career development doesn’t happen overnight—and that’s what Weir wants current and prospective students to know. “It’s a journey that starts with a lot of inward reflection,” she explains.

When she meets a student for the first time, she likes to ask about their goals, values, and strengths to help them get in the right mindset. Although students are the drivers of their career journeys, they’re never alone on their trek. Weir is there to empower and guide them along the way.

“I know it can be scary and intimidating to meet with someone you’ve never met before,” she says, “but come in with an open mind. I’ll meet you where you are and, together, we will build trust and a partnership.”

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