As the associate director of Career Advising in the Becker Career Center, Ashley Dwyer works with students to assist in their overall career development and exploration. Her main goal is to help students navigate their career path, realize their true potential and passion as well as to support them throughout the process.
Ashley Dwyer, associate director of Career Advising in the Becker Career Center, enjoys spending time on Cape Cod.
Her passion derives from her own experience navigating the job market during the housing market crisis after graduating from Siena College in 2008. She is dedicated to helping students by engaging with them early on in their college career.
After completing her master's in College Student Services Administration from The College of Saint Rose, she returned to Siena, where she worked in career services/counseling and employer relations for nearly eight years. She joined Union in December 2021.
Her role models are her parents, who both work in the education field.
She enjoys spending summers on Cape Cod with her family.
FIRST APP YOU LOOK AT IN THE MORNING:
Spotify. The first thing I usually do when I get in my car in the morning is put on a podcast and enjoy some “me time” before I start the day. I have been known to pop open Instagram and/or Facebook on occasion to stay in touch with my friends and family through their daily lives.
ONE BOOK YOU HAVE READ MULTIPLE TIMES:
One of my favorite books (and movie adaptations) is "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott. A true classic, there is something timeless about it. More recently, I really enjoyed "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett, again both the book and movie versions. I found it to be truly moving, and was drawn to the dueling comedic and dramatic elements.
BEST ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED:
My mentor and supervisor during my internship in graduate school emphasized the importance of not sweating the small stuff as well as leaning into and overcoming mistakes. This always stuck with me and it is a lesson that I have taken with me throughout my career and when working with students.
FAVORITE SPOT ON CAMPUS:
Jackson's Garden. When I started at Union, I often ventured out on lunchtime walks on campus and absolutely fell in love with the serene and calming atmosphere as well as the running streams at Jackson's Garden.
GO-TO BREAKFAST:
Not a big breakfast person. At most, I’ll grab a piece of toast, yogurt or fruit mid-morning. I’m more inclined to grab a sandwich for lunch at 807 Deli. But I never miss my morning cup of coffee.
FAVORITE PODCAST:
Armchair Expert. It's the first podcast I ever listened to and I remain a fan. It brings a strong sense of vulnerability, honesty and relatability that draws you in as a listener.
ONE SKILL YOU WISH YOU HAD:
Maybe to draw, paint or play music. Something artistic. A friend of mine is an artist and I’m always in awe of his work, the level of detail that goes into it as well as how quickly he can simply create something from scratch.
LITTLE KNOWN FACT ABOUT YOU:
I ran cross-country and track throughout high school and continued on the Division I cross-country level at Siena. While I don’t run as much anymore, I certainly have an appreciation for the experience of a student-athlete and seek out opportunities to work with them and give back as a former student-athlete myself.
THREE DINNER PARTY GUESTS (living or deceased):
Steve Carrell (i.e. Michael Scott from "The Office"), Lauren Graham (i.e. Lorelei Gilmore from "Gilmore Girls") and Melissa McCarthy. I can think of no better way to spend an evening than with some of my favorite comedians while laughing and marveling at the iconic characters they portrayed!
FIRST CONCERT:
Backstreet Boys when I was around 11 years old. Fangirl t-shirt and all. Most recently, I saw the Lumineers and they blew me away.