The Office of Career and Life Design aims to empower all graduate students and postdocs to design their own paths. We act as a central hub for resources, services and support so that all grad students and postdocs can excel in their work, build essential skills, maintain personal well-being and prepare for their future careers.
We provide individualized and group career advising, teach career design classes and workshops, and connect career offices and employers across disciplines to increase access to opportunities. We convene campus units to advocate for graduate level services, and work closely with our constituents to coordinate support.
Our Approach
We use evidence-based practices and a design thinking framework that centers curiosity, storytelling and a bias towards action to help move people forward and get “unstuck."
Mission
To create an advanced degree ecosystem that fosters well-being, professional development and career opportunities across UT and beyond.
Vision
Every graduate student and postdoc is empowered to design their future.
What is Life Design?
Learn more about life design, download an activity packet and attend life design events compiled on this page.
Our Team
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Annie Maxfield, M.S.
Director
The Office of Career & Life Design, The Graduate School
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Zachary Carr
Associate Director for Community Engaged Experiences
The Office of Career & Life Design, The Graduate School
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Colleen Gleeson
Associate Director for Employer Integration
The Office of Career & Life Design, The Graduate School
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Loren Cressler, Ph.D.
Assistant Director of Professional Development
The Office of Career & Life Design, The Graduate School
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Anastazja Harris, M.A.
Program Manager, Career Education
The Office of Career & Life Design, The Graduate School
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Kirsten Ronald, Ph.D.
Program Manager, Career Management
The Office of Career & Life Design, The Graduate School
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Natasha Small
Senior Administrative Program Coordinator
The Office of Career & Life Design, The Graduate School
Graduate Student Consultants
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Connor Behrmann
Ph.D. Student in Music
Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences Industry Consultant
The Office of Career & Life Design, The Graduate School
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Pin-Yi (Judy) Chu
Master's Student in Information Studies
Graduate International Career Consultant
The Office of Career & Life Design, The Graduate School
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Hannah Forsythe
Ph.D. Student in Radio, Television and Film
Graduate Media Consultant
The Office of Career & Life Design, The Graduate School
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Kate Nelson
Ph.D. Student in French Studies
Graduate Consultant for First-Generation Programming
The Office of Career & Life Design, The Graduate School
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Divya Salian
Master’s Student in Economics
STEM Industry Consultant
The Office of Career & Life Design, The Graduate School
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David Spicer
Ph.D. Student in Education, Leadership & Policy
Graduate Career Education Consultant
The Office of Career & Life Design, The Graduate School