Employee Spotlight: Donna Jackson Robertson

Meet Donna Jackson Robertson, the Director of Career Development for CHSS!

Donna brings with her a wealth of experience in career advisement, employer relations, internship development, campus recruiting, and programming. Donna’s role includes developing comprehensive career strategies and building relationships with students, alumni, faculty, employers and community partners to enhance experiential and professional opportunities for CHSS students. Donna’s philosophy is that career development is not transactional but rather a lifelong process.

We are thrilled to have Donna join our team in CHSS  — you can find her in the Student Success Center in Dickson Hall or you can send her an email!

What do you enjoy most about your job?
It’s always the students!  I love when I can connect a student to an employer or alumni that has an impact on their career journey – whether it’s a job offer or embarking on a new career path.  I feel like I made a difference and that is the most rewarding part of my job.

What goals do you have for Career Development in CHSS?
A key goal is to create a culture of early and often career exploration and experiential learning among students and faculty.  It is never too early for a student to gain experience.  Career development is a process, not a transaction.  The earlier students begin exploring, the more time they have to test out careers, connect with professionals and build confidence in their career decision-making.

What career development advice would you give to a first-year student or soon to be graduate looking to pursue a career in the humanities and/or social sciences fields?
Don’t limit yourself.  Your job title and/or function is not equivalent to your major.  Study what you enjoy. Learn transferable skills for the world of work.  Then develop and apply them through experiential learning such as research and internships.

What is your favorite thing about Montclair State?
Working with wonderful people! The CHSS Student Success team is the best!  They make work fun!  I also enjoy collaborating with all the career teams within the other college.