Name: Libby Carlile
Hometown: Columbus, IN
Degree & Graduation Year: Bachelor of Science in Business; Concentration in Management; May 2016
Current Position: Workforce Solutions Specialist; Elwood Staffing; Corporate Office; Columbus, IN
Q: Tell us about yourself and your path to IUPUC.
My journey with IUPUC started while I was still in high school. While continuing to attend Columbus East High School, I took advantage of IUPUC’s Early College Program. During the second half of my senior year, I left Columbus East each day and went to IUPUC for two classes, public speaking and political science. When it came time to apply for colleges, the decision was easy for me. I applied to IUPUC and IUPUC only. I knew IUPUC was the place for me because of my experience in the Early College Program. I was already acclimated to the campus and was fairly familiar with campus resources. Upon applying and being accepted, I was informed that I was nominated by my high school guidance counselor for an academic scholarship. This particular scholarship, the IUPUC Counselor Scholar Award ended up covering nearly 50% of all my college expenses. Attending IUPUC also gave me the ability to live at home, continue my part-time job, and remain around my family.
As a first generation college student, I was hesitant to make big decisions such as where I would go and what I would major in. However, after being an Early College student the answers to those questions became clearer. I would attend IUPUC as a business major, and I would continue to live at home so as to not incur the additional expenses of room and board.
Q: How did your experience at IUPUC help prepare you for life and a career?
My personal experience at IUPUC significantly impacted my preparedness for life and for a professional career. One of the main reasons IUPUC was successful in preparing me for the future is because of the opportunities offered. Between my sophomore and senior year I was an Orientation Leader, Bridge Mentor, Peer Mentor, Excellence in Leadership Certificate Participant, and Co-President of the Student Ambassador Program. Additionally, I worked in the Office of Recruitment and Admissions for two and a half years and was an intern in the Office of Career Services for one semester. All of these experiences combined allowed me to cultivate a personal brand which was reflective in my resume once I began applying for professional positions as a senior. Not only did my co-curricular involvement enrich my experience at IUPUC, but the progression of classes I was enrolled in did as well. I always felt that a class would give back as much, if not more, as put in, therefore I put in long hours to make sure I was learning as well as retaining important information. Starting during my last semester of college I began to identify as a professional business-women rather than a student. IUPUC encouraged and fostered learning in a way that made it possible for me to no longer be apprehensive about graduating. Lastly, IUPUC helped to prepare me for my career by providing me with an excellent network of faculty, staff, and students. Without the help from them I may not be in the position at Elwood Staffing I am currently.
Q: How did you find out about and land your first position after graduation?
With the connections and resources I had at IUPUC, I was able to catch wind of job opportunities at Elwood Staffing’s Corporate Office in Columbus, IN by Matt Souza who works out of the Vice Chancellor and Dean’s Office. I sent my resume to Matt Souza who then sent my resume to Elwood Staffing. Upon reviewing my resume, Elwood called me for an interview. After all was said and done, I started at Elwood as a Workforce Solutions Specialist three weeks before graduating. I was very fortunate to land a position with the first company I interviewed with, and I have IUPUC to thank for that. Without the network I had created I may have missed the opportunity to work, in what I feel is a great first job for a college graduate.
Q: What are you current responsibilities as a Workforce Solutions (WFS) Specialist?
As a Workforce Solutions Specialist, I am a part of the Workforce Solutions (WFS) team. The WFS team at Elwood Staffing specializes in designing customized service delivery methods for clients with complex staffing needs. The WFS Team provides support in the areas of master vendor and managed service programs, associate engagement, recruiting support, on-site service delivery, workforce analytics, cross-geographical relationship management, etc. As a Specialist I support Elwood’s largest and/or national clients with reporting and auditing needs, workforce analytics, set-ups in our staffing software, etc. In addition to those responsibilities, I create servicing documents for the field to use in order to ensure superior customer service at all times, and I complete any other special projects that may come my way. One thing I have learned so far at Elwood is that no two days are alike, so it is important to be willing and able to adjust responsibilities at any time.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
The thing I like most about my job is the experience I am getting by jumping into an industry which I had no prior knowledge of. I am taking skills which I learned in my business classes and applying them in ways I haven’t ever been exposed to. Not only am I getting to learn about the staffing industry, but I get to learn about the manufacturing, distribution and logistics, and oil and gas industries as well. I am gaining valuable and professional experience which is something I was looking to obtain prior to going back to school for a master’s degree.
Q: What advice do you have for students beginning the college search process?
Because of working in the Office of Recruitment and Admissions and being a Student Ambassador, I have been asked what advice I have for high school seniors numerous times, and my answer always is to make sure to find a place that feels like home. “Home” could be a large campus stretching over a whole city, a three-building campus with 1,800 students, or anything in-between. Additionally in my experience, it was important to find something which would allow me to graduate with little to no debt. By going to IUPUC I was able to graduate with an Indiana University diploma without any student loans. Even better than that, I ended up not paying anything for college. Because of several different scholarships and grants, all my college expenses were paid for. If being financially responsible is a goal of any student, it is very important to start early in that planning process.
Q: What lesson or piece of advice from a professor at IUPUC sticks with you to this day?
After being named the 2016 Outstanding Student in Management during my last semester, I remember having a conversation with one of my favorite instructors, William Haeberle. He assured me that I deserved the award and that I should embrace it. Rather than continuing to find flaws in my abilities, he showed me that receiving the award is a direct representation of my abilities within the business program and in general. He wanted to make sure that I took time to be proud of the award instead of asking myself questions about how I could do better. That conversation with him stood out to me because it showed me the instructors and professors around me are genuinely interested in my education and personal development.