With a UCF degree as a line-item on your resume, you're already well on your way to a phenomenal and fulfilling career. Let us help you get there! We've assembled a collection of lifelong professional development programming, services, events, and resources to meet the needs of alumni at any stage of career management. Whether you're a new graduate about to be launched into the workforce or an experienced professional looking for a career transition, we're here to help.
UCF Alumni Professional Engagement provides robust programming and limited 1:1 career services and to extend our reach, we have teamed up with Knights around the nation to assist with their fellow alumni needs. They are ready to assist with individuals who are in need of career, executive, leadership and other coaching that delves more in-depth or focuses on specific areas or industries. Alumni Career Coaches can help discern what career path will lead to success, provide a framework and support for career goals, or assist in honing specific skills.
UCF Alumni has career coaches and counselors who are a part of the UCF Alumni Career Coach Referral Program. They are an essential part of UCF Alumni Professional Engagement, offering special rates and career and professional development services for fellow Knights. Vetted alumni coaches are listed below.
Rates vary and all coaches have agreed to offer a discount to UCF alumni, typically 20% off their regular rates.
When you reach out, be sure to tell them you are a UCF Knight!
Our Alumni Career Coaches host webinars and events specifically for UCF Knights! To check out past webinars, click here.
Heather Bailey '00 is an award-winning producer and storyteller who cofounded Back2You to coach and mentor those in the journalism field. Her work has been recognized with multiple Suncoast Emmy, Florida AP, Florida Association of Broadcasters and Florida Society of Professional Journalists Awards.
Heather is a proud UCF Alumnus who earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Radio and Television. She also holds a Master’s Degree Journalism from the University of Missouri.
Her coaching and mentoring, through Back2You, focuses on career development, portfolio review, writing critique, social media strategy and multi-platform storytelling.
Heather currently resides in Jacksonville, FL but still has strong ties to the Central Florida area. In her free time, she enjoys sporting events and is always looking to support the hometown team. As a season ticket holder for UCF Football, you’ll find her at the alumni center and stadium on game days. She’s also a member of Orlando City’s Society XXI and is the first season ticket in franchise history for the Orlando Pride.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 480-389-6374
Website: https://mystore6458.samcart.com/products/back-2-you
Crisy Brutus '09 is the founder of WISE Consultants LLC, a coaching firm that offers professional coaching and business incorporation services. She specializes in career, health, business, and life coaching. Crisy is a UCF graduate, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in 2009. She also graduated from Columbia Southern University in 2016 and obtained an MBA with a concentration in Human Resource Management. Crisy is passionate about coaching others and helping individuals achieve their goals. Crisy lives in Phoenix, Arizona. When she is not working, she enjoys dancing Zumba, hiking with her fiancé, and spending time with her family and friends.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 480-389-6374
Website: www.thewiseconsultants.com
Katrina Cohens '06MBA is the CEO and founder of Cohens Consulting Services, LLC. Ms. Cohens is a certified Master Life Coach, which includes professionalism, happiness, life purpose, and goal success coaching. She is a proven professional with 20+ years of experience in financial management (2 years-AVP and 4 years-VP level), with an emphasis on leadership, client service excellence, operations, production, performance expectations, and employee relations. Ms. Cohens is a resourceful problem solver and planner with the ability to analyze, collaborate and communicate to achieve specific goals and performance standards. She achieves success through perseverance, self-discipline, and commitment.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 352-519-8090
Website: https://cohensconsulting.biz/
Marelena Cruz '15 is a multi-passionate job search coach, focused on helping candidates stand out in the job application process. As someone who has often been a non-traditional candidate and whose career has been anything but linear, she is compelled and inspired to help others stand out among the sea of digital applications and get the interview. She specializes in communicating your value, anticipating and overcoming potential objections, and creating one-of-a-kind application supplements to catapult your application to the top of the list!
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 617-301-0672
Erin Cummings '03, MBA and CPC- Executive Leadership & Transitions Coach is in marketing and organizational management, with over 20 years of experience in the corporate and education management arenas . As a CPC, Erin helps her clients improve awareness of themselves and their environment using Core Energy Coaching™ This coaching tool can help clients be better communicators, more willing to accept responsibility, and better able to identify their passions.
As a Certified Coach, she uses Core Energy Coaching™ techniques to help individuals and groups be more successful, happier and move past the block that is currently keeping them physically or mentally stuck.
Erin’s clients experience amazing improvements in their productivity, time management, motivation, leadership skills, flexibility, goal attainment, creativity, stress reduction, and work/life balance.
For any current UCF Knights, UCF Alumni or their families that are interested in finding out more about coaching services use the code “CoachUCF” on the contact form to receive a FREE Consultation/Discovery Call and 20% off any coaching service.
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://sinewsolution.com/
LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cummingserin/
Alissha Gordin '06 helps leaders and organizations from around the world tap into their core talent (i.e., people), so they can increase their performance and stand out from peers and competition. For over 15 years, Heather has partnered with executives, rising leaders, and teams of organizations and enterprises of all sizes to break free from their frustrations and achieve their desired outcomes. With a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Florida and a Master’s degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology from the University of Central Florida, Heather uses a powerful combination of coaching and consulting services to shift the mindsets of individuals toward generating creative solutions and attainable strategies.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 321-278-9557
Website: www.flowmomentum.com
Jeanne Henningsen '94 has coached hundreds of leaders and business owners on releasing overwhelm, communicating and collaborating on a deeper level to achieve higher performance, learning and feeling comfortable resolving conflict, and finding true joy and passion in their work. The organizations she has served include AAA, Darden Restaurants, General Motors, Georgia Pacific, HealthSouth Rehabilitation, Sprint, the University of Central Florida, the U.S. Navy, Walt Disney World Company, and others.
Jeanne has an M.S. in Industrial Organizational Psychology and is a Certified Professional Coach (CPC) through Coach Academy International and the John Maxwell Team. She is certified in the world-renowned Center for Creative Leadership’s 360 leadership feedback assessments, qualified in the Myers Briggs Type Indicator, in addition to a variety of other assessment tools.
When Jeanne is not elevating others to their truth, she is hanging out with her wonderful husband, princess daughter, and two furry angels.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (407) 252-1190
Website: www.MonarchLeadershipGroup.com
Sim Khandaker '07 '15MA is a two-time graduate with a BA in Psychology and MA in Counseling from UCF. Go Knights! He has been coaching individuals since 2009, helping 2,400+ individuals with resume, interviewing, imposter syndrome, burn out, leadership, etc. Sim’s clients range from executives to career starters within business, technology, and Engineering. He has been recognized as one of the Best Life Coaches in Atlanta and Best of Georgia - Honorable Mention for Mental Wellness coaching.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (404) 594-3694
Website: www.balancedatlast.com
Justin Martin '15 '19MA is a mental health therapist in Orlando, Florida and practices from a model of Internal Family Systems working with both individuals and couples. Justin has experience with helping students and professionals navigate career choices from a mental health perspective. “Career decisions can bring a lot to the surface and I help people navigate their underlying feelings and thoughts to help them make the best decision they can.” He uses compassionate inquiry with his clients to help identify their goals and get confidence in making career decisions. Outside of being a therapist, Justin enjoys writing poetry, sports, and reading a good book!
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (407) 906-3672
Website: www.partsofmetherapy.com
Richard Rademacher '16 is the Senior Facilitator for Training Initiatives, Inc. He is from Daytona Beach, FL, and attended the University of Central Florida where he graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s in Legal Studies and a Minor in Criminal Justice. He has worked in Workforce Development for 7 years and in many capacities including Job readiness, Employment Security, and Case Management. As a nationally and state certified workforce professional, he is passionate about helping the people of Daytona Beach and Flagler/Volusia Counties find careers they will grow and become self-sufficient in. Previously, he worked as an Employment Specialist for Goodwill Industries of Central Florida and the Florida Department of Corrections.
Email: www.traininginitiatives.org
Phone: (386) 679-3758
Website: www.traininginitiatives.org
Alaina Rahaim '16 is an outgoing, empathic Career Coach and National Certified Counselor, with expertise in a variety of career planning and professional development topics. In addition to being certified by the National Board for Certified Counselors and The Myers-Briggs Foundation as an MBTI Certified Practitioner, Alaina holds both a Master of Science in Counseling and an Educational Specialist degree from Florida State University. A proud Knight, Alaina earned her Bachelor of Arts in Human Communication and Minor in English Literature from the University of Central Florida.
Alaina strives to empower clients by listening and providing detailed resume reviews and cover letter writing tips, interview preparation, and strategies for job searching, including LinkedIn, personal branding, networking, evaluating offers, and phrasing follow-up correspondence.
In her free time, Alaina loves visiting Disney with her partner, acting and volunteering in community theatre, and caring for her pet sugar glider, Flaps.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (561) 236-9558
Website: https://www.askalaina.com/
Jessica Villegas '13 is a Certified Academic Life Coach and
the Founder of Hi-Lite Coaching + Consulting in Winter Garden, Florida. Jessica
and her team serve teens and young adults through private coaching, group
coaching, workshops, and speaking engagements. She uses workbook exercises,
coaching planners, and regular check-ins to support young adults achieve their
academic and personal goals. Jessica received her Bachelor’s in Organizational
Communications and Leadership Studies from the University of Central Florida
and her Professional Coaching certification through Coach Training EDU, an ICF
Accredited Institution, as an Academic Life Coach. Jessica’s professional
experience includes 13 years in hospitality management and 7 years in supply
chain logistics and transportation having held various leadership positions in
both fields.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 321-236-2053
Website: www.hilitecoaching.com
*Alumni career coaches participating in the UCF Alumni Career Coach Referral Program are in no way affiliated with the University of Central Florida, UCF Foundation, or UCF Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving (together “UCF”). UCF in no way endorses the views of the individuals, the quality of services provided, and in no way guarantees the outcomes of participating in this program. Professionals participating in this program are not being compensated or retained by the University of Central Florida, UCF Foundation, or UCF Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving.
Career Coach Referral Program
If you are a career coach/counselor or if you specialize in career development, UCF Alumni wants to refer your services to Knight Nation!
To learn more about this amazing new opportunity, please complete the information form and we will reach out to you regarding next steps.
*Career coach or counselor must be a UCF graduate.
What can I do with this major?
Whether you’re exploring majors or searching for information about your chosen field, this website will help you connect majors to careers. Learn about common career areas, typical employers and strategies designed to maximize career opportunities. This resource also includes a list of websites that provide information about majors and careers.
ONET's my next move
This is a free interest assessment that provides a Holland Type interest assessment and shares career match results bases on those results. The tool doesn't allow you to save your results, but you can always screenshot them.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) of the U.S. Department of Labor is the principal federal agency responsible for measuring labor market activity, working conditions, and price changes in the economy. Find information on the nature of the work, working conditions, the training and education needed earnings and expected job prospects for a wide range of occupations.
Through a free Handshake account, students and alumni can search and apply for part-time and full-time jobs, upload resumes, research employers, RSVP for workshops and learn about other career events.
Industry specific job search sites
Some industries use specific job search sites to post positions. This list compiled by Career Services includes sites for Health, Education, Engineering, Computer Science, Hospitality, and more.
Search jobs in UCF Knights Network
Additional Job Boards
Why Professional Development Is Important
Here are three benefits of professional development and how you can get started today.
How to Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile to Get More Job Offers
Four strategies you can use to stand out and get more job offers.
6 Steps to a Successful Career Change
Six steps you can take to increase your chances of success.
Follow these best practices to NAIL your next interview.
6 Tips to Negotiate Your Salary with Confidence
How to Conduct an Informational Interview
Interview Preparation at Big Interview
Use Big Interview to learn and practice your interview skills, whether you’re interviewing for a job or graduate school. Receive real-time MOCK INTERVIEW feedback by using its Artificial Intelligence (AI) feature!
Create an account using the UCF organization code: 1963
Resume Guide
Tips on writing an effective resume to get your foot in the door.
Resume Action Verbs
Make your resume stand out by using these 185 action verbs.
Should I Submit a Cover Letter?
Create a winning RESUME using Big Interview.
Create an account using the UCF organization code: 1963
Resume Samples:
UCF Alumni provides alumni access and discounts to UCF Continuing Education programs and exam preparation courses. Acquire new skills to succeed in a rapidly changing business environment, enhance your office productivity or gain a competitive advantage with a new certification while saving money through UCF Continuing Education. Are you applying for graduate school? Score higher on your graduate admission exam with UCF Test Prep's comprehensive review courses.
Take the time to research the universities and programs of your interest. Below are some factors you should consider:
What is the reputation of the program?
Where is the program located (what are the weather conditions, cost of living)?
What are the admissions criteria (GPA requirement, entrance exams)?
What types of classes and concentrations are offered? How do they relate to your interest?
What is the size of the institution? What are the research interests of faculty?
What types of funding opportunities are available (grants, fellowships, scholarships)?
What is the student-to-faculty ratio?
How many students apply and are accepted to the program?
Upcoming Events
Alumni can attend major events hosted by UCF Career Services (i.e., Graduate and Professional Schools Fair, Employment Prep Fair, Career Expo, and specialized presentations or panels).
Looking for a webinar you can watch right now?
Catch up on the latest UCF Alumni offerings with our library of recorded events and webinars. We’ve compiled a variety of recorded events and webinars in one place for you to enjoy at your convenience. Check out our Alumni Virtual Hub today!
Leverage the Power of UCF's Global Network:
UCF Knights Network is our alumni professional networking platform that promotes career and professional development, entrepreneurship, job opportunities and mentorship. Join today to stay connected with Knight Nation!
Knights Network is a platform that has connectivity at its core! Connect with classmates, meet with alumni industry recruiters, or promote your business! The possibilities are endless.
On UCF Knights Network, you can:
Get Involved
Make connections within the UCF community through collaboration and mentorship.
Seek Advice
Find fellow Knights who are eager to provide guidance and support.
Expand Your Network
Build your professional network and get introduced to people you would like to know.
Advance Your Career
Advance your career by hearing about professional opportunities and exclusive job leads shared by alumni and recruiters.
Share your Business
Promote and buy from UCF alumni business owners through the official UCF Alumni Business Directory.
UCF Knights Network is currently a platform available for UCF alumni, students, staff and friends of the university.
UCF Knights Network is an alumni networking virtual career center. The platform allows you to both reconnect with old classmates as well as enable you to utilize the trusted UCF environment to expand your professional network. It is your one stop shop to stay connected with UCF after graduation. Stay up to date on UCF news, alumni events, career and professional development resources, job opportunities and more!
Join groups to leverage your alumni network, like 2021-2022 New Graduates, UCF Black Alumni Network, UCF Latino/a/x Alumni Network, UCF Alumni Entrepreneurship, Hospitality and Tourism and more! After you log in, click on the 'Groups' tab on the left-hand panel and view our list of available groups.
Introduce, employ and offer to serve as a mentor to alumni, current seniors and recent grads. On UCF Knights Network, users can join the conversation by connecting with alumni who are willing to share their expertise. Having a mentor can contribute enormously to your success in future professional aspirations. With a mentor, even experienced professionals can benefit from the knowledge and expertise of someone who has withstood the trial and error of their career journey. Users opt in during registration and can search the directory for other users who can mentor them or who they can offer to mentor.
UCF Knights Network offers alumni to alumni, informal mentoring. Registered users can seek advice from participating users who are willing to help others. The Mentoring feature is not a formal mentoring program and a user can decide how involved they want to be in the mentoring relationship. Flash mentoring options can include reviewing resumes, meeting for coffee, sharing career advice or volunteering. If interested in formal, alumni to student mentoring programs, VISIT for more information.
Alumni business owners are welcomed and encouraged to highlight their products and offerings within this exclusive community! UCF Knights Network can really be a game-changer for you and your business. Our platform provides you a space to easily and effectively promote your business/service within a robust directory and offer benefits to others within the network - for FREE!
UCF Knights Network offers alumni the ability to both view and post open job vacancies! Registered users can view available job opportunities listed on the Job Board on the platform.
Yes, and thank you for your interest in recruiting UCF alumni for full-time and part-time professional career opportunities. We are excited to showcase and promote your organization and potential career opportunities. Please contact [email protected] to get started!
Sign up in less than 2 minutes using your LinkedIn or Facebook!
This is a volunteer opportunity for UCF alumni to provide minimal commitment to helping the platform and network grow. We would like to use your passion and creativity to help make this platform a dynamic community.
Why should you become an Ambassador?
Please contact [email protected] if interested!
Check out the many resources we have to assist you with your career journey: