Nicole Parker ’09 Utilizes AQ Programs, Contacts for Career Success
By Lauren F. Carlson, '12
Published on
“It’s one of the best jobs to have right out of college,” said Nicole Parker '09,
Aquinas alumna and Multicultural Development program coordinator at Calvin College.
As a recent graduate with a full-time job in her chosen field, Parker is a strong
advocate for internships and on-campus involvement. In her experience at Aquinas,
Parker demonstrated the importance of extracurricular activities which aid in the
jumpstart of a future career as well as contribute useful business contacts and unforgettable
memories.
“Don’t burn bridges,” Parker said, describing a valuable lesson she learned at Aquinas. Parker elaborated that her previous business and academic contacts aided in the development of her current career. As a freshman without direction, Parker was unenthusiastic about on-campus involvement, yet facilitated friendly relationships with professors, staff, and fellow students. These relationships, Parker noted, enabled her success when she chose to become involved on campus. This change of heart was also marked with a notable switch in her major.
Parker had a long-held interest in helping others and began her education with hopes of studying pre-med. However, after a community leadership class in the spring of her sophomore year, Parker gained insight into the variety of opportunities available to those who desire a career in service. After switching her major to community leadership, she utilized the many offices on campus to further her experience and social education. “Once you get involved, there are key individuals to help make your dreams reality,” Parker said.
One of these key individuals was Marnika Brown, Director of Diversity Initiatives at Aquinas College. When Parker began her internship under Brown, she discovered the many opportunities provided by the staff including increasing diversity on campus and creating a welcoming atmosphere for students with disabilities and students of color. “It’s like a hidden treasure, you’ve gotta find it,” said Parker, as she noted the many additional opportunities in which she participated.
In four years at Aquinas, Parker held an internship with Diversity Initiatives, ran track and served as team captain, coached a youth track team, served as an orientation leader, co-founded and participated in Voices Inspiring Black Students Everywhere (VIBE), and held positions as mentor and student ambassador. When asked which was the most influential of all these activities, Parker simply said, “just being a student.”
With a positive outlook and happy memories, she said that simply extending a hand to others aided in her career, academic, and personal development. During Parker’s senior year, as she prepared for graduation with a dual major in community leadership and political science, she received guidance from Director of Career and Counseling Sharon Smith regarding possible internship experiences.
After discovering and applying for an opportunity at Calvin College, Parker began co-directing Calvin’s youth conference, Striving Toward Educational Possibilities (STEP). In this position, Parker was able to work with underrepresented youth grades 7-10 and further her goal of making a difference in the lives of others. As the three-month internship evolved into a part-time summer position for the Pre-College Programs office, Parker gained useful experience as well as the vital contacts necessary to provide a future job opportunity.
After Parker’s graduation from Aquinas in December of 2009, she worked for eight months in the Park and Recreation’s Loop program of Gerald R. Ford Middle School before learning of an exciting position at Calvin College. Brown and Smith, as well as her former supervisor at Calvin, informed her of the recent job opportunity of program coordinator of Multicultural Student Development. Years of community involvement had finally paid off when she was offered the job in August of 2010.
Now having settled into her new position, Parker is grateful for the experience and relationships she gained on the Aquinas campus. In her current position, she raises awareness for anti-racism, creates entertaining and welcoming programs and activities for students of color, and focuses on retention of minority students on a primarily Caucasian campus.
“[My] experience outside the classroom helped me more with my job now,” said Parker, commenting that the combination of academics and extracurricular activities added to her college experience and prepared her for her career. After achieving her goals, she is thankful for the myriad of opportunities provided at Aquinas College and for the helpful staff which guided her many endeavors.
To those who are either intimidated in a new college environment or simply uninformed, Parker gives this advice, “If there is something that you don’t like, create it.” Students should be empowered to envision their own unique path and, in doing so, gain the valuable knowledge necessary for the future.
“Don’t burn bridges,” Parker said, describing a valuable lesson she learned at Aquinas. Parker elaborated that her previous business and academic contacts aided in the development of her current career. As a freshman without direction, Parker was unenthusiastic about on-campus involvement, yet facilitated friendly relationships with professors, staff, and fellow students. These relationships, Parker noted, enabled her success when she chose to become involved on campus. This change of heart was also marked with a notable switch in her major.
Parker had a long-held interest in helping others and began her education with hopes of studying pre-med. However, after a community leadership class in the spring of her sophomore year, Parker gained insight into the variety of opportunities available to those who desire a career in service. After switching her major to community leadership, she utilized the many offices on campus to further her experience and social education. “Once you get involved, there are key individuals to help make your dreams reality,” Parker said.
One of these key individuals was Marnika Brown, Director of Diversity Initiatives at Aquinas College. When Parker began her internship under Brown, she discovered the many opportunities provided by the staff including increasing diversity on campus and creating a welcoming atmosphere for students with disabilities and students of color. “It’s like a hidden treasure, you’ve gotta find it,” said Parker, as she noted the many additional opportunities in which she participated.
In four years at Aquinas, Parker held an internship with Diversity Initiatives, ran track and served as team captain, coached a youth track team, served as an orientation leader, co-founded and participated in Voices Inspiring Black Students Everywhere (VIBE), and held positions as mentor and student ambassador. When asked which was the most influential of all these activities, Parker simply said, “just being a student.”
With a positive outlook and happy memories, she said that simply extending a hand to others aided in her career, academic, and personal development. During Parker’s senior year, as she prepared for graduation with a dual major in community leadership and political science, she received guidance from Director of Career and Counseling Sharon Smith regarding possible internship experiences.
After discovering and applying for an opportunity at Calvin College, Parker began co-directing Calvin’s youth conference, Striving Toward Educational Possibilities (STEP). In this position, Parker was able to work with underrepresented youth grades 7-10 and further her goal of making a difference in the lives of others. As the three-month internship evolved into a part-time summer position for the Pre-College Programs office, Parker gained useful experience as well as the vital contacts necessary to provide a future job opportunity.
After Parker’s graduation from Aquinas in December of 2009, she worked for eight months in the Park and Recreation’s Loop program of Gerald R. Ford Middle School before learning of an exciting position at Calvin College. Brown and Smith, as well as her former supervisor at Calvin, informed her of the recent job opportunity of program coordinator of Multicultural Student Development. Years of community involvement had finally paid off when she was offered the job in August of 2010.
Now having settled into her new position, Parker is grateful for the experience and relationships she gained on the Aquinas campus. In her current position, she raises awareness for anti-racism, creates entertaining and welcoming programs and activities for students of color, and focuses on retention of minority students on a primarily Caucasian campus.
“[My] experience outside the classroom helped me more with my job now,” said Parker, commenting that the combination of academics and extracurricular activities added to her college experience and prepared her for her career. After achieving her goals, she is thankful for the myriad of opportunities provided at Aquinas College and for the helpful staff which guided her many endeavors.
To those who are either intimidated in a new college environment or simply uninformed, Parker gives this advice, “If there is something that you don’t like, create it.” Students should be empowered to envision their own unique path and, in doing so, gain the valuable knowledge necessary for the future.