UAS Career Services celebrates the wisdom and guidance of faculty and staff within our community. These mentors offer more than academic support—they provide invaluable career advice and encouragement. It can be difficult to know who to reach out to for career advice, but remember, you are never alone on this journey. Faculty, staff, and peers are ready share their experiences, and help you navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead. Let their stories inspire you and reaffirm the value of your unique perspective and talents.
The UAS Career Services team interviewed the following four faculty and staff members.
From Left to Right: Janelle Cook (Yup’ik) is from Dillingham, Alaska. She is the Financial Aid Director on the Juneau Campus. Jen Brown (Haida/Norwegian) is from Ketchikan, Alaska. She is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology working on the Ketchikan Campus. Ronalda Cadiente Brown (Tlingit/Filipino) is from Juneau, Alaska. She is the Associate Vice Chancellor for Alaska Native Programs and the Director of PITAAS working on the Juneau Campus. DáxKílatch Kolene James (Tlingit/Tsimshian/Haida) is from Saxman and Metlakatla, Alaska. She is the Student Equity and Multicultural Services Manager working on the Juneau Campus.
What single piece of career advice would you share with Indigenous students?
“Always remember, you have a voice, and it is up to you to use it. A lot of the time, as Indigenous people, we sit, listen and observe, but don’t forget to speak when it’s necessary.” -Janelle Cook
“Don’t be concerned with anyone else’s timeline; your pace is unique to you! We all have a variety of responsibilities to the people in our lives, so not everyone will take a traditional path to academic success. If you need to pause your education or career to be a good relation, it only enhances what you can bring to your studies and your career in the future.” -Jen Brown
“Be open to learning and engaging, even when it might be new, unfamiliar, or uncomfortable. Be willing to listen as part of learning. Trust your instincts.” -Ronalda Cadiente Brown
“Don’t let imposter syndrome stop you from pursuing different and exciting job opportunities. Know that there are many people here to support you and help you through your career journeys.” -DáxKílatch Kolene James
What contributed to your career success?
“Hard work and dedication.” -Janelle Cook
“Having a good relationship with my family and seeking out mentors who were truly invested in my success. I also found it useful to try a variety of different types of work settings to find out what qualities I valued in a job and what I could personally bring to the table.” -Jen Brown
“What began as my initial goal out of high school to become a high school counselor evolved with opportunity and experiences to be a springboard into K-12 education. My professional accomplishments were recognized by employers and opened doors to program management, curriculum development, district policies and procedures, school leadership, and advanced degrees. Being open to new challenges and each new challenge was a springboard to opportunities that impacted not only me but my community, and more importantly, student lives to also grow and learn and contribute back to our communities.” -Ronalda Cadiente Brown
How does a student’s Indigenous identity strengthen their academic and career pursuits?
“Indigenous identity provides a strong base of self-knowledge, but also grounded relationships. We have responsibilities and obligations that go beyond assignments.” -Jen Brown
“In short, your values can establish your determination and purpose. My family experiences with formal education, both good and bad, planted a desire to improve systems and experiences for others.” -Ronalda Cadiente Brown
Can you share an example of a challenge you faced as an Indigenous person early in your career and how you overcame it?
“When I worked as a public health researcher in a Tribal health organization, one of my research directors, who was new to Alaska and not Indigenous, suggested that my co-workers and I wear our regalia to present research at a national conference. This suggested to us that she viewed us as ‘local color’ instead of serious researchers. With the help of my other Indigenous colleagues, we were able to push back against this suggestion and were empowered as Indigenous scholars!” -Jen Brown
“I found out in my first building administrative role as Vice Principal of a middle school that a group of five male teachers had a bet that I would fail. Each of them, individually, over time came to me to let me know of the wager and apologized for underestimating me. In those early days I could silence a room by walking in, knowing there were disparaging conversations happening. I was intentionally present to represent our students, families, and community.” -Ronalda Cadiente Brown
Is there anything else you would like to share with our Indigenous students about career development?
“Enjoy discovery and learning. No excuses.” -Ronalda Cadiente Brown
These are just a few of our Indigenous leaders in our UAS community. There are many more across all three of the UAS campuses. Don’t hesitate to seek their support—they’re eager to see and help you succeed!
For more career resources focused on our Indigenous students, check out our “Alaska Native & Indigenous” section under “Student Belonging Resources” on the UAS Career Services website!
