Abby wasn’t exactly sure what to do when she graduated. “I graduated and I was panicking”, she stated. Abby Tengwall graduated from UW-Stout with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies in 2016. Like many college students, Abby was unsure of what to do next after graduation. “I wasn’t very career-minded at the time, but a friend suggested I check out a career development center in Eau Claire,” She said. This led to seven years working in a nonprofit, where she helped people with disabilities find jobs, honed her skills, and built confidence. That experience, dedicated to assisting others to build confidence and job skills, has shaped every step of their career journey, ultimately leading them back to higher education and a role in career services.
Abby’s role in non-profit work was hands-on. Her day consisted of resume assistance, job training, and mentoring those with physical and mental challenges. “ I was wearing a lot of hats,” she said. “There was structure, but you had to juggle different responsibilities constantly.”
Moving her career to working in higher education happened by chance. A friend, who handled marketing in the career office at UW-stout, encouraged her to apply for a position at the university. “‘Hey, there’s a position here I think you’d really like.’” The idea of a new challenge was exciting to Abby.
Abby shares that she finds the structure of a university fits her style of work ethic better. “The higher-ed environment fits my personality better. Here, I have specific tasks and clear goals,” she said. “Even if I’m meeting different students, I like knowing what my job entails every day.”
Each day has a packed schedule with helping students review their resumes, preparing students for interviews, and planning career events. “A typical day involves two to five student appointments, each around 30 to 60 minutes, helping with resumes, interview skills, or even just career planning,” she said. Furthermore, arranging events like the government and nonprofit employment fair or Human Sciences Day takes ongoing communication and collaboration throughout campus.
One of the most rewarding parts of Abby’s work is seeing students grow and explore career pursuits. “Students will email me after interviews to share how they went, or when they land a co-op or job. It’s exciting to see their growth,” she said, happy to make a real impact. These instances, she continues, remind her of why she enjoys her job: assisting kids in gaining confidence and gradually achieving their goals.
One of the biggest pieces of advice Abby gives to students at UW-Stout is to send a thank you note. “Send a thank-you note after interviews. One of my students landed an internship over another candidate because he sent a thank-you email, and that was the deciding factor” She said. Abby shared this as one of the most rewarding stories she has from mentoring a student.
Work can be demanding and overwhelming. Abby said that balancing her work life and personal life creates boundaries which prevents burnout.“I’m very active in my community and my faith, and that helps me. When I leave work, I leave work,” she explains. Having commitments or groups to be a part of outside of work ensures she stays charged and motivated. “Having something purposeful outside of work is key. My husband and I are both active in our church, and it keeps me grounded.”
This thought process or philosophy aligns with those thinking of going into a similar career field as Abby: “If you’re a people person who loves helping others, career services is a great fit. But it’s essential to have interests outside of work” she said.
Reflecting on her work path, Abby gave thanks to her mentors for her professional progress. She recalls how their boss urged her to organize the annual Human Sciences Day, a big event incorporating employer-student networking. “I was nervous, but I said yes. I learned so much from that experience,” she adds, emphasizing how it motivated them to take on further leadership roles.
Working in career services, according to Abby, is about supporting long-term growth as well as assisting students in finding jobs. They are committed to encouraging students to move outside of their comfort zones, much like they did when establishing their own career path.
As she continues to mentor students, Abby Tengwall is a strong advocate for personal and professional development. “You don’t have to have it all figured out,” she says. “Stay open, say yes to opportunities, and you might surprise yourself.”