Alumni Profile: Katie Reedy Aranda

Q&A

• Q. Where are you employed? What is your Title?
• I am currently employed through the University of Kansas as an academic advisor for the KU Educational Talent Search program. Talent Search is a TRiO program and I work with middle school and high school students in the KC, Kansas schools preparing them for college.
• Q. What is your favorite part of your job?
• I love the fact that I get the chance to make a difference in so many lives. So many students come to the program with the thought that they will never be able to go to college or be successful, and I get to be a support system for them
• Q. What do you consider to be your most valuable contribution to your organization for which you work?
• I love the fact that I get the chance to make a difference in so many lives. So many students come to the program with the thought that they will never be able to go to college or be successful, and I get to be a support system for them
• Q. Given your career path, where do you see yourself in 10 years?
• I see myself either continuing my work within TRiO and Talent Search or going back to school to get a second masters to become a school counselor
• Q. Do you have any words of advice/recommendations? a. for undergrads still searching for a major-would you recommend RST and why?, b. for the undergrads currently in the program c. for the senior currently looking for his/her first position.
• a. I would definitely recommend RST. During undergrad, I switched my major 5 times and couldn’t find the right fit. I finally found the Leisure Studies (RST) department and found everything I was looking for. It was a combination of everything I wanted to do including business, public relations, event planning, sports administration and helping people. With this major there are so many things that you can do. Some of the people I graduated with are now working in park districts, at ESPN, at a YMCA, in collegiate and professional athletic departments, wedding/event planning agencies, and a lot more.
  b. Take advantage of internship opportunities, even if they are unpaid. You will have a bigger network when you graduate and start job searching, and you will get to experience different jobs in the field.
  c. Have someone proof-read your resume and cover letters before sending then out. Also, start applying for jobs early!
• Q. Please add anything else that might be helpful.
• n/a