Career Coaching
Career Engagement
Guidance for Your Career Journey
Our career coaches work with students to identify strengths, choose a career path, and prepare for the job market through guidance on resume writing, interview skills and networking. This process helps students gain clarity, build confidence and create an actionable roadmap for their academic and professional journeys.
Types of Appointments
Career coaching appointments on a variety of topics are open to all College of Education current undergraduate and master’s students in addition to College of Education undergraduate and master’s alumni.
Appointments can be scheduled for 30 minutes or 60 minutes virtually or in-person on the following topics:
12Twenty@Texas
Schedule your career coaching
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Professional Documents
Receive personalized feedback on your resume, CV, cover letter and personal statement.
Networking Tips and Strategies
Learn how to build and strengthen your professional network.
Job and Internship Search Strategies
Learn effective strategies for finding jobs and internships.
Graduate School Planning
Talk through any stage of the graduate school process.
Career Exploration
Receive a guidance through assessments, resources, and reflective conversations to support your decision-making.
Mock Interviews
Receive insights on your interviewing style, tips for improvement and resources to help you prepare with confidence.
Interview Preparation
Receive guidance, tips and resources based on your specific needs and the role you’re targeting.
Gain Experience
Find ways to get the skills you need as you prepare for your career.
Meet the Career Coaches
Rebecca Valdez
Rebecca Valdez was born in Dallas, TX and raised in Grand Prairie, TX. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology with minors in counseling and history from The University of North Texas. Following her undergraduate studies, she pursued a Master’s in Counselor Education at The University of Texas at Austin. Since 2020, Rebecca has worked in career development and is passionate about helping students explore and achieve their career and professional goals. She takes a student-centered approach and believes every student’s journey is unique. She strives to create a supportive environment where individuals can discover their strengths and gain confidence.
When not at work, Rebecca enjoys crocheting, watching anime and sports, shopping and going to musicals.
Gloria Peña-Spener
Originally from El Paso, Texas, Gloria Peña-Spener moved to Austin to attend The University of Texas at Austin. As an undergraduate, she double majored in Economics and Spanish, played piccolo in the Longhorn Band and worked in the Texas Parents Office where she later began her professional career as a membership associate.
She earned her Master’s in Higher Education Leadership from UT’s College of Education and spent four years supporting student success through experiential learning with the University Leadership Network. Now a career coach in the College of Education, Gloria is passionate about helping students explore career paths, build confidence in their professional skills and connect their academic experiences to meaningful opportunities.
Undergraduate Career Peer Advisors
Our undergraduate career peer advisors provide resume and cover letter coaching to current College of Education undergraduate students. Check the drop-in calendar on 12twenty@Texas to find a time for a 15-minute in-person appointment, or submit your cover letter or resume for an asynchronous virtual review by emailing a Word document version to edcareerpeers@austin.utexas.edu. Please give the career peer advisors two business days to review and respond.
