Jenna Lang brings career support to the Grawn Atrium

For students walking through the Grawn Atrium, career advice may be closer than they think. Jenna Lang, a sophomore marketing student from Owosso, Mich., is the College of Business Administration’s new Career Coach, offering students an approachable place to ask questions, work through career decisions and prepare for professional opportunities.

Lang's path to the position started with her own experience using career development resources. As a first-year student, she participated in a mock interview through CMU's Career Development Center and found the experience helpful. Her involvement in the Business Residential College also introduced her to resources and support that helped her navigate college and career preparation.

When she saw an opening for a career peer adviser on Career Central, she applied. Through her BRC connections, Lori Driessnack, Director of the BRC, also recommended her for the opportunity to provide career coaching in Grawn after the previous adviser, Carmella Cortes, graduated.

Lang was initially intimidated by the idea of stepping into the role as a sophomore, particularly following someone she felt had done such a good job. But support from Driessnack and experience working with students helped her build confidence.

Meeting students where they are

Lang's role includes helping students with mock interviews, resume reviews, LinkedIn reviews, and career coaching. While some students arrive with a specific question or professional goal, others are still figuring out what they want to study or what kind of career might interest them. Both are welcome.

“If they just want to come in to career coaching with absolutely no clue, I will be happy to walk through these steps and help them” Lang said.

When students are unsure where to begin, she starts by getting to know them. She asks about their interests, the types of people they enjoy working with and whether they have a particular college or field in mind. From there, she helps them explore possible majors and career paths.

That flexibility is especially important because Lang works with students across all majors, not just business. As a marketing student, she has had to research industries outside her own area of study and learn how to find resources that fit different career interests.

She also adjusts her approach based on students' experience levels. A first-year student preparing for an initial interview might need help with foundational questions, while a senior can work through more specialized, industry-specific interview questions. 

For Lang, the goal is to give students a starting point and help them recognize that there are different paths available. 

Making career development accessible 

Lang believes every student should have access to career development support, regardless of whether they participate in a particular program or already have a clear career plan. 

“Being in the Business Residential College is not available to all students. But I feel like career development should be,” she said. 

That belief shapes how she approaches the role. She wants students to see her as a resource they can return to, whether they need help with a resume, have a quick question, or want to talk through a possible career direction. 

She also emphasizes the importance of networking, particularly for business students. Her own connections helped her find the opportunity in Grawn, and she hopes students leave career coaching more comfortable talking with others and building professional relationships. 

“Networking is everything,” Lang said. 

Stop by Grawn and get started 

Students do not need to have a specific question or career goal before meeting with Lang. They can stop by the career coaching space in the Grawn Atrium to start a conversation or schedule an appointment through Career Central. 

Students seeking a resume review should bring a draft, but it does not need to be polished or complete. Lang can help them work through it from there. 

For students who cannot make it to Grawn, appointments are also available through Career Central. Additional career coaching is offered in the CLASS Hub in Anspach Hall on Mondays, with current availability and scheduling information shared through CMU Career's Instagram account, @cmucareer. 

Whether students are preparing for their first interview, exploring majors or looking for ways to make their professional materials stronger, Lang wants them to know they do not have to figure everything out on their own.

“I always like to be a resource and let people know that I can help” she said.