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CMU's Career Services has location convenient for Southeastern Michigan alumni Interview after interview, J'né Powell grew frustrated with her job search. She had experience. She had the education. She was enthusiastic. "I am passionate about what I do. Even with the economy we are in, I thought it would translate and those things would put me back on my career path right away," says Powell, '98 M.H.S.A. '11. "When it didn't, it was upsetting because I didn't know what more I needed to do." The Ann Arbor native worked as a home health care manager when she was laid off in 2010. Halfway through her CMU graduate degree already, she decided to go to school full time, hoping to find work immediately after May graduation. When she didn't, she went to her alma mater, asked for help and was directed to Dr. Terence Hallamon, assistant director of CMU's Career Services. Hallamon, M.S.A. '91, is the Career Services resource for students and alumni in the Southeastern Michigan area. His office is located in the Off-Campus Programs Troy Center. The Troy Center is one of seven CMU professional education centers in Metro Detroit. CMU's Career Services offers lifetime services to CMU alumni. But with the main Mount Pleasant campus 2 1 /2 large CMU population near Detroit, Central decided to fund a position to counsel its alumni base closer to their homes. Dr. Terence Hallamon, a Detroit native, works with Jennifer McDonald, '11, at the CMU Troy Center. He says job seekers need a support system with positive people. He says his wife, Carlotta Glover, parents, and siblings Libby and J.C. encouraged his career success. "After the recession started, we started getting phone calls asking for résumé reviews, networking opportunities and career opportunities," says Career Services Director Julia Sherlock. "It rapidly increased. So in 2008 we went down to the Troy Center for a day. It was packed. We did career advising from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. That was when we realized that we needed someone to be a more immediate resource for our alumni." Powell says Hallamon, who started at CMU in 2010, was instrumental in her search. "He gave me outstanding support," she says. "He was a sounding board for hearing my concerns and then following up with constructive feedback regarding my skills presentation. He helped me prepare for interviews. He also was a main source for finding out about career opportunities." P yourself romote BY SARAH CHUBY, '03 M.A. '11 24 centralight spring '12 With Hallamon's help, Powell had a position in her field lined up by October. She is currently a health care administrator at DaVita Crossroads Dialysis in Anaheim, Calif. "I manage budgets, forecast expenses, communicate with vendors, order supplies, and ensure compliance with public health and safety standards," she says. "I am back on my career path and doing what I want. CMU helped me get here." hours from the

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